By james art 
Lubbock candidates and PACs have raised and spent hundreds of thousands of dollars trying to sway voter choices in a number of local elections.
Lubbock candidates in contested local races and political action committees supporting and opposing local ballot measures have raised a total of more than $402,000, according to the latest campaign finance reports available.
Most candidates for office and political action committees are required by state law to file reports 30 days and eight days before the election. Election day is Tuesday.
On the ballot is a proposal to allow the city of Lubbock to issue $103.4 million in bonds to address seven road construction projects throughout the city. The 2024 Lubbock Road Bond PAC, with Jordan Whitley as its treasurer, has raised $164,000 and spent about $100,000 trying to see the bond passed, according to the PAC’s 30- and eight-day reports.
Major contributions to the road bond PAC included $20,000 from the Lubbock Chamber of Commerce, $16,000 from the West Texas Home Builders Association and $7,500 each from City Bank and Clay Cash.
The PAC also received thousands in contributions from engineering and construction firms that could benefit from the bond’s passage, including Freese and Nichols, HDR Inc., Parkhill PAC, CobbFendley, Teinert Construction, Hugo Reed and Associates and JL Elliot Construction among others .
Councilwoman Jennifer Wilson contributed $2,500 to the PAC, Councilmember Tim Collins gave $1,000 and Councilman Brayden Rose’s campaign also gave $1,000.
Most of the PAC’s spending is on advertising and consulting.
Working against the city’s road bond is the newly formed Conservative Action Network PAC, with Deanne Clark as treasurer. In its eight-day report, the group reported $1,775 in contributions and $1,520 in expenses.
Frenship ISD is asking voters to consider three proposals, including a tax rate choice and two bonds totaling $200 million that include funding for two new elementary schools. Frenship Communities PAC supports the bond. The Avalanche-Journal has found no organized opposition.
Frenship Communities PAC has raised $172,800 and spent $99,410 according to its 30- and eight-day reports.
Frenship PAC’s leading significant contribution is $50,000 from Wolff PAC, with L. Scott Mann as its treasurer. The Wolff PAC lists a single contribution on its 30-day report: a $50,000 donation from Lee Lewis Construction.
Frenship PAC has also raised $14,000 from the West Texas Home Builders Association, $10,000 from Lubbock Land Management and $7,500 each from the Lubbock Chamber of Commerce and City Bank.
The PAC received a $1,500 donation from the campaign of Lubbock Councilman Brayden Rose and $1,000 from the campaign of Councilman Tim Collins. It also saw contributions from a number of construction and related firms.
Much of the PAC’s spending has been on consulting and advertising.
In the race for Lubbock County Commissioner, District 3, Republican Carrie Shaw leads in fundraising and campaign spending. Shaw raised $41,005 and spent $36,619, according to his reports.
Incumbent Democratic Commissioner Gilbert Flores reported raising $22,925 and spending $11,993.
Notable attendees include three former Lubbock mayors: Alan Henry, David Langston and Mark McDougall. He received $2,500 each from personal injury attorneys Kevin Glasheen, Noah Valles, Chad Inderman, Pedro Leyva and Jason Medina. Mark Funderburk, CEO of UMC Health System, also contributed to Flores’ campaign, according to reports.
Costs are primarily for advertising, signage and mail.
Shaw’s contribution was led by the Republican Women of the Lubbock Area, which donated $15,000 to the campaign. Contributors also include state Rep. Carl Tepper and Texans for Jody Arrington.