Texans for a Republican Majority or TRMPAC (pronounced "trimpac") was a general-purpose political action committee registered with the Texas Ethics Commission to influence the state's legislative races. Founded in 2001 by former Republican Texas U.S. Rep. and House Majority Leader Tom DeLay, TRMPAC led to the first Republican majority in the Texas House of Representatives since the Reconstruction era, before folding due to legal challenges and the eventual political downfall of DeLay.

History

TRMPAC was founded on September 5, 2001, with the goal of naming a Republican Speaker in Texas and promoting the Republican party's agenda within the state. John Colyandro was selected by Jim Ellis and Tom DeLay (R-Texas) to be executive director. Colyandro selected Dallas businessman and former state representative Bill Ceverha as treasurer.

The Texas Legislature is responsible for the state's congressional apportionment with redistricting usually taking place during the biennial legislative session that convenes following the decennial national census. DeLay, a powerful Congressman from suburban Houston nicknamed "The Hammer,"

Criminal charges

Several key members, lobbyists and officials associated with the organization were indicted by a grand jury for felony violations of state campaign finance laws such as applying corporate campaign contributions (which may be used only for administrative expenses) to political campaigns. In September 2002, TRMPAC donated $190,000 to the Republican National Committee, which within days sent $190,000 raised from individuals to seven GOP House candidates.

James W. Ellis, the committee's director, was indicted for money laundering in connection with this investigation. In addition, Americans for a Republican Majority head Jim Ellis and John Colyandro, former executive director of Texans for a Republican Majority, were both charged in September 2005 with violating Texas election law and criminal conspiracy to violate the election law.

Preston, Gates, Ellis & Rouvelas Meeds, reportedly lobbied for at least one donor to Texans for a Republican Majority, and also contributed $25,000 to TRMPAC itself. It has been reported that former DeLay aide Michael Scanlon worked on the Preston Gates account for the firm making the donation, Burlington Northern.

Warren Robold, a national Republican fundraiser who solicited money for TRMPAC from several of the indicted corporations, faced nine third-degree felony charges of 'making and accepting' prohibited corporate contributions.

Under Texas law, corporate donations may be used in state campaigns for administrative costs such as clerical needs or rent, but not for any purpose that might be used to influence voters.

Films

  • 2006 - The Big Buy: Tom DeLay's Stolen Congress. Directed by Mark Birnbaum and Jim Schermbeck.

See also

  • Americans for a Republican Majority

References

  • Moreno, S. & Smith, R.F. (2005). Treasurer of DeLay Group Broke Texas Election Law. Washington Post, May 27
  • Smith, R.F. (2005). DeLay Indicted in Texas Finance Probe. Washington Post, September 29