Democratic mega-donor Mostyn dies amid 'mental health issue'
AUSTIN, Texas (AP) — Democratic mega-donor Steve Mostyn, a powerful Texas trial lawyer who was among the nation's largest backers of liberal causes and candidates, died after what his wife says was "a sudden onset and battle with a mental health issue." He was 46.
Amber Mostyn said Thursday that her husband died the previous day, calling him "a devoted father who adored his children and never missed any of their sporting activities."
"He was a true friend, and a faithful fighter for those who did not have a voice," Mostyn said in a statement in which she said the family was requesting privacy and would not respond to media inquiries. "Steve touched countless lives."
She did not confirm a cause of death but said, "If you or a loved one are thinking about suicide, or experiencing a health crisis, call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline right now."
Read more: http://www.brownsvilleherald.com/news/elections/democratic-mega-donor-mostyn-dies-amid-mental-health-issue/article_088111a0-eaae-51ac-b9e8-0306b1290a9c.html
= new reply since forum marked as read
I was just reading his wikipedia page:
Political contributions and advocacy
Mostyn has been politically active in terms of financing both candidates and political action committees that are focused on opposing lawsuit reform. A few of the organizations that Mostyn has funded and supported include the following:
Back to Basics PAC: Mostyn created this committee in 2010 to oppose the election of then-Gov. Rick Perry and other political leaders and candidates who supported lawsuit reform. The committee has spent over $4.5 million. Mostyn contributed $3,935,181 in 2010, and contributed $377,060 in 2012.
Conservative Voters of Texas: According to the website The Truth About Steve Mostyn, "Despite its conservative sounding name, this multi-million-dollar pack was founded by Mostyn associate Mark McCraig in the last election cycle to attack pro-tort reform legislators and candidates."
For the 2012 cycle, Mostyn contributed $5.2 million to Super PACs. The majority of the contributions went ($3 million) went to Priorities USA Action (pro-Barack Obama).
Mostyn has given campaign contributions directly to political candidates and through a web of political action committees and other groups, which in turn give the money to the candidates themselves.
Mostyn and his wife, attorney Amber Mostyn, believes there is too much money in politics. They opposed the Supreme Court's Citizens United case and supported campaign finance reform. Steve and Amber Mostyn contributed $3 million into the Texas gubernatorial campaign of Democrat Wendy Davis, who lost the election. They were also co-founders of the Ready for Hillary PAC, a political action committee supporting Hillary Clinton's presidential campaign.
In 2014, Mostyn, who usually contributes to Democratic candidates, gave a large contribution to a police-affiliated political action committee that was donating money to Republican primary candidates. Mostyn wanted to defeat Tea Party-affiliated freshman Congressman Matt Schaefer, a Republican from Tyler, Texas. When asked, Mostyn's spokesman said Mostyn was interested in the race because he is from Tyler.
