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One of the most powerful forces in Texas politics took a major hit last year, and it's playing out in a big way in this year's primaries.
In May, Texans for Lawsuit Reform — the Houston-based lobbying juggernaut that's spent 30 years shielding companies from consumer lawsuits — watched its slate of priority bills collapse in the Republican-controlled Legislature.
TLR is backed by some of the state's biggest names in business, including Tesla co-founder Elon Musk. But its reputation within GOP circles has taken a hit in recent years, driven in part by wealthy trial attorneys (yes, like the ones on billboards promising huge payouts after car wrecks) who are on the other side of those consumer lawsuits TLR has fought so hard to block.
Now, the two sides are pouring millions into a handful of GOP House primaries as they battle for influence ahead of next year's Legislative session.
Four races in particular will serve as bellwethers in the power struggle. In two, Texans for Lawsuit Reform is backing challengers to incumbent GOP state Reps. Marc LaHood and Mark Dorazio of San Antonio. Both LaHood and Dorazio helped sink several of TLR's priority bills last session. The other...
I also looked at spending patterns over the past year. Texans for Lawsuit Reform cut down dramatically on its political spending at the start of the year, reflecting a shift under Ryan Patrick — the son of Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick — who took over in January.
Other Republican donors have also stepped in. TLR co-founder Dick Weekley gave $100,000 to David McArthur, LaHood's opponent, in January, and a group that shares many donors with TLR has also spent hundreds of thousands of dollars on behalf of the same candidates that TLR has endorsed.
The spending bonanza is a good window into how pricey campaigns, unlimited PAC donations and special interests can come to dominate races behind the scenes. In this case, the outcome could have a big impact on everyday voters, making it harder to sue businesses, trucking companies, developers and doctors. It could also limit how much injured Texans are able to recover in damages.
TLR argues its policies help keep business thriving and costs down.
University of Houston political scientist Brandon Rottinghaus said the races are a test of whether the Republican "establishment" — long guided by Weekley and others — is losing influence to a newer crop of lawmakers who are more focused on social and cultural fights than business priorities.
"As ideologies become more rigid and more focused on cultural and identity issues, you may see the business and regulatory Republican-supported causes get less traction," University of Houston political scientist Brandon Rottinghaus said. "The party is changing and it will leave TLR behind in some of these fights."
Reading this newsletter? I want to hear from you! Send questions, data requests and feedback to bayliss.wagner@express-news.net and I'll do my best to get you answers.
 | Bayliss Wagner, State Politics Reporter |
Who's Up, Who's Down
A daily stock market-style report on key players in Texas politics.
Up: John Cornyn.
While the U.S. Senator is facing the toughest Republican Primary in his 40-year political career, he's still the unquestioned leader when it comes to fundraising. Most of the state's big GOP donors are backing Cornyn through the Super PAC Texans for a Conservative Majority, which had raised $18.5 million as of Dec. 31. Cornyn is seeking to fend off challenges from fellow Republicans Attorney General Ken Paxton and U.S. Rep. Wesley Hunt.
Down: Pam Bondi.
For hours, the U.S. Attorney General was grilled during a House Judiciary Committee hearing by Democrats and at least one Republican for how she has handled documents related to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. U.S. Rep. Thomas Massie, R-Ky., questioned how Bondi's department could inadvertently release of victims' identities and redact the identity of purported co-conspirators. "Who is responsible?" Massie asked. "Who in your organization made this massive failure?" Bondi responded by calling Massie "a failed politician." And then there was U.S. Rep. Jasmine Crockett, D-Dallas, who questioned Bondi's law degree and her grasp of basic legal concepts. "You're spending more taxpayer resources arresting journalists than you are prosecuting pedophiles and creeps," Crockett said. Bondi fired back that Crockett and other Democrats want to talk about Epstein files just so they can avoid talking about their failed border security efforts over the years.
What do you think? Hit reply and let me know.
 | Jeremy Wallace, Texas politics reporter |
What else is going on in Texas
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Pick of the day
Photo by: Staff photographer
In 2003, Texas Republicans backed strict limits on medical malpractice lawsuits. Now, many are urging the Texas Supreme Court to reinterpret them in a detransitioner's lawsuit against her therapist. They're arguing gender modification procedures, including for adults, should be carved out of tort-reform laws during the next legislative session. Read what the justices had to say here.
What else I'm reading
Bo French, the controversial former Tarrant County GOP chair known for antisemitic comments and insults of women, immigrants, Muslims and Black people, could win the GOP primary for Texas Railroad Commissioner. Texas Monthly's Forrest Wilder takes a hard look at how a man who has advocated for deporting Native Americans ended up with a statewide platform and a fighting chance at office.
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