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 Commission.

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" Dominguez, 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.