Details about this story

• Source: Houston Chronicle
• Date: November 25, 2007
• URL: Read the story
• Bylines: Chase Davis
• Topics: Campaign Finance
• Data Types: Local Data
• Description/Excerpt: But like most members of the Harris County Commissioners Court, Eversole has not faced a competitive election in more than a decade - a fact that hasn't stopped him, or the rest of the court, from raising millions in campaign cash, according to a Houston Chronicle analysis. "If you don't raise funds, you're going to get an opponent who's got money," said Eversole, who has raised $1.9 million since 2003. A comprehensive Chronicle review of donations to the Commissioners Court shows that its members - Commissioners Eversole, Sylvia Garcia, El Franco Lee and Steve Radack, former Judge Robert Eckels and current Judge Ed Emmett - have raised more than $10 million since January 2003, when Garcia took office after a rare contest for an open seat on the court. Much of that money has come from contractors, particularly engineering and law firms that receive millions in lucrative no-bid contracts. At least 46 donors have given more than $50,000 each since 2003, and the top contributor, engineer James Dannenbaum, has given $160,000.
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