Nearly $70 million has already been pumped into the accounts of Texas candidates and PACs for the 2020 elections. Who’s giving all that money? Lots of everyday Texans. Ninety-seven percent of all contributions so far have been for $1,000 or less. 

And these numbers may tell only part of the story. The totals don’t include any political donations these men and women have given to candidates in federal races, such as the O’Rourke vs. Cruz battle. Moreover, these numbers don’t reflect any donations given to 501(c)(3) or 501(c)(4) organizations. Courts have ruled that these groups do not have to divulge their donors in order to protect the donors’ rights to freedom of speech and freedom of assembly.

In the last election cycle Mr. Pitcock donated to both Republicans and Democrats. However, his contributions to the state’s power holders were significantly larger than to other candidates and officeholders. This political donation strategy suggests that Mr. Pitcock seeks to facilitate good will from those who have the power to impact his business, rather than to promote one political ideology over another.