Dawnna Dukes campaign racks up $730,000 in debt as challengers rise
State Rep. Dawnna Dukes’ re-election campaign is off to a rocky start, as the veteran Democrat has accrued more than $730,000 in outstanding loans, raised just $2,250 in recent months and has lost two dozen past supporters who have flipped their allegiance to former Austin City Council Member Sheryl Cole, one of Dukes’ six primary challengers.
Cole, meanwhile, raised $91,000 in the second half of 2017 and has $45,000 on hand as she prepares for the March 6 primary, which features an unusual number of challengers thanks to Dukes’ recent legal troubles and frequent absences from the Capitol.
Attorney Jose “Chito” Vela III raised more than $30,000. “We have the funds we need to finish strong,” he said.
Dukes’ finances were revealed this week in a pair of campaign reports filed with the Texas Ethics Commission. One of the reports was submitted after Tuesday’s filing deadline. Dukes has been fined multiple times in the past for late and inaccurate reports and currently owes the Commission $500.
Read more: http://www.statesman.com/news/dawnna-dukes-campaign-racks-730-000-debt-challengers-rise/RcTJHQG4o1zkHZmAux6dNI/
