Montgomery County Primary Candidate Funding

Montgomery County Primary Heats Up: Challengers Build War Chests, Incumbents Lean on Reserves

CONROE, TX – With the March 4 primary election fast approaching, the financial landscape of several key Montgomery County races is coming into sharper focus. The latest campaign finance reports, covering activity through January 31, 2024, and filed by February 17, 2024, reveal a dynamic where many challengers are actively fundraising and spending, while several incumbents are relying on established campaign funds.

These reports, filed with the Texas Ethics Commission (TEC), provide a crucial snapshot of candidate war chests in the final weeks before voters head to the polls. The Republican primary in Montgomery County often determines the ultimate officeholder in this reliably conservative region, making these races particularly significant.

**Montgomery County Commissioner Precinct 1 Race**

The battle for Montgomery County Commissioner Precinct 1 shows challengers making significant financial pushes. Robert Walker leads the pack in recent fundraising, pulling in an impressive $23,980 during this period. He spent $12,709.32, leaving him with a robust $11,270.68 in cash on hand. This substantial investment suggests an aggressive campaign strategy aimed at reaching voters across the precinct, which covers a diverse section of the county including parts of Conroe and surrounding areas.

Fellow challenger Melanie Bush reported raising $5,000 and spent none of it, maintaining $5,000 ready to deploy. Vance Senter raised a similar $5,000 but spent $4,293.41, leaving him with $706.59. Billy D. Graff reported raising and spending $1,000. Incumbent Commissioner Randy White was not mentioned in the provided data, implying he did not report significant activity in this specific period, a common strategy for incumbents with established name recognition and existing funds.

**Montgomery County Sheriff’s Race**

In the high-profile race for Montgomery County Sheriff, public safety remains a top concern for residents. Challenger Randall Slaughter demonstrated strong fundraising in the latest period, bringing in $7,300 and spending $1,857.75, leaving him with $5,442.25 available for the final sprint. Wesley Doolittle also raised $5,000, spent $2,870.75, and has $2,129.25 remaining.

Notably, incumbent Sheriff Darren Hess did not report any new fundraising or spending in this period. However, Hess still holds a significant $20,019.86 in cash on hand from previous efforts, indicating a well-established campaign fund that he can draw upon. Challengers Joe Corley, Sr. and Jimmy Mutt Williams reported no activity in this finance period.

**Montgomery County Attorney’s Office**

The County Attorney’s office plays a critical role in providing legal counsel to the county government and prosecuting misdemeanor cases. Challenger Frank Jackson is showing a strong financial commitment to this race, raking in $32,600 and spending $11,749.19. He retains $20,850.81 in his campaign coffers, positioning him well for a final push.

Incumbent County Attorney Mike Shirley reported no fundraising or spending in this recent period, opting to rely on his existing $3,588.58 cash on hand. This contrast highlights the different strategies often employed by challengers seeking to build momentum and incumbents who may believe their established position and prior fundraising make extensive new spending unnecessary.

**Montgomery County Tax Assessor-Collector**

The race for Montgomery County Tax Assessor-Collector also saw challengers actively building their campaign funds. Tammy McRae brought in $27,050 and spent $10,480.20, leaving her with $16,569.80 in cash on hand. Debbie Opryshek raised $5,000, spent $2,000, and has $3,000 left.

Like several other incumbents, Mark Turnbull, the current Tax Assessor-Collector, reported no new fundraising or spending in this period, holding $4,834.40 in cash on hand. This office is crucial for the collection of property taxes and vehicle registration, directly impacting county services and residents.

**The Bigger Picture**

The campaign finance reports offer a fascinating glimpse into the financial strategies at play just weeks before the primary. Challengers are clearly working diligently to build their war chests, recognizing the need to overcome incumbent advantages in name recognition and existing political networks. Their active fundraising suggests efforts to fund advertising, mailers, and get-out-the-vote initiatives.

Conversely, many incumbents appear to be leaning on their established funds, choosing not to actively fundraise during this specific January reporting period. This could be a sign of confidence, a belief that their existing cash and established presence are sufficient, or simply a strategic decision to conserve resources for a potential general election or more targeted late-stage spending.

Voters are encouraged to research all candidates and participate in the upcoming election. Early voting for the March 4 primary runs from February 20 to March 1. Election Day is Tuesday, March 4, with polls open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Additional information on polling locations and voter registration can be found on the Montgomery County Elections Administrator’s website and the Texas Ethics Commission’s website for detailed campaign finance data.