Oliveira, Dominguez report campaign contributions
Political action committees and lobbyists make up the bulk of contributors to the campaign of Rene O. Oliveira, who is running for re-election to the state House of Representatives from District 27.
Oliveira reported contributions of $53,050 and expenditures of $109,240 for the six-month period of July 1 through Dec. 31, 2011 — the most recent statement of such figures that he has filed with the Texas Ethics Com-mission.
During that period, Oliveira spent $12,028 on mostly lunches, drinks, appetizers and dinners in Austin, South Padre Island and Brownsville.
The statement shows that he spent an additional $1,262 during that period buying beverages at Ben’s Liquor, Feldman’s, Jones Liquor, Statewide Beverage and Twin Liquors.
The statement shows that Oliveira donated $5,420 to various charitable groups and service organizations. These include $1,000 to the Children’s Museum, $600 to Brownsville Texas Exes, $500 to the Laguna Vista Volunteer Fire Fighter Association, $500 to assist in the medical bills of a resident and $500 to the Roman Delgado Scholarship Fund; and $300 to Proyecto Juan Diego; $105 to the Moody Clinic.
He donated $100 each to the Brownsville Cardinals, Brownsville Nite Lions, Brownsville Youth League, Camille Playhouse, Brownsville Fire Department’s toy drive, Down by the Border and to assist needy children; and he donated $75 to the Catholic Daughters for the Feed the Hungry initiative.
Oliveira also contributed to the campaigns of other officials seeking re-election: state Judge Arturo Nelson $2,000; $1,000 each for state Judge Elia Cornejo-Lopez and Judge Leticia Lopez; and $500 each for Justice of the Peace Linda Salazar, Thirteenth Court of Appeals Chief Justice Roy Valdez and Cameron County Sheriff Omar Lucio.
Oliveira also spent $58,175 at Elite Promotions for advertising work, including the purchase of billboard space.
Alex Dominguez
Running against Oliveira for the Democratic nomination for state representatives is Alejandro “Alex” Domin-guez, whose most recent campaign statement covered the period Nov. 2 through Dec. 31.
Dominguez reported $3,382 in contributions and $7,375 in expenditures. He reported using his personal funds for some of the expenditures.
Contributions include $1,000 each from Dr. Surya Raguthu and Johnny Solis with Solico; $500 each from Omar and Mikhal Abou-Sayed of Houston, and Dr. Manuel Guajardo; and $350 from Michael Anderson of Anderson and Associates.
Dominguez reported spending money for advertising, purchase of political signs, rental of a venue and catering.
He also reported spending $101 on Nov. 30 for the purchase of baked goods for supporters and another $101 purchase on Dec. 7, also for baked goods.
Eperez-trevino@brownsvilleherald.com
