In the wake of a controversial scandal involving white supremacist Nick Fuentes, two of Texas' wealthiest conservative donors are doubling down. Tim Dunn and Farris Wilks, known for their deep pockets and far-right leanings, have contributed a hefty $2 million to a new political action committee dubbed Texans United for a Conservative Majority, as reported by KSAT. This move comes despite the backlash from their previous engagement with Defend Texas Liberty, which hosted Fuentes for a controversial and extensive seven-hour meeting.
After hosting the white supremacist for nearly 7 hours, Defend Texas Liberty faced heated criticism but has since dialed back its political giving, making only one candidate contribution through the end of last year. In contrast, Texans United for a Conservative Majority emerged in December. According to campaign finance reports obtained by KSAT, Dunn's Hexagon Partners and Wilks are currently the sole donors to this new political juggernaut, contributing $700,000 and $1.3 million, respectively.
With over $400,000 distributed among candidates between January 1 and January 20, the recipients of the largest donations of $100,000 apiece include David Covey and Andy Hopper, as per the political committee's report. Both are challenging incumbent Texas House Republicans, with Covey running against House Speaker Dade Phelan, and Hopper taking on Rep. Lynn Stucky, lining up a fierce primary showdown.
The creation of Texans United for a Conservative Majority indicates Dunn and Wilks' persistence in the political arena, undeterred by the unwanted attention from their past political ventures. Meanwhile, Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick, after having previously benefited from $3 million in funding from Defend Texas Liberty, cleared the air with Dunn. Dunn, having spoken with Patrick, admitted to him "unequivocally that it was a serious blunder for PAC President Jonathan Stickland to meet with white supremacist Nick Fuentes," in a conversation documented by KSAT. In response to the Fuentes scandal, Patrick invested a notable $6 million of his campaign funds into Israeli bonds.
This political recalibration occurs as Texans United for a Conservative Majority has thrown its weight behind Brent Money over Jill Dutton in the Jan. 30 special election runoff, which seeks a successor for the expelled Rep. Bryan Slaton.
