PAC Attack: How Big Money Is Hijacking Our District 85 Primary

**Disclaimer** Austin County News Online has not endorsed either candidate in the Texas House District 85 primary and remains neutral in this race. This article is based on mailers received by a local household and publicly available records, with efforts made to verify facts and provide balanced context where possible. Links to sources, such as the Texas Ethics Commission, legislative records, and candidate websites, are included for readers to conduct their own research. Terms like “solid conservative” or “not extreme” are subjective interpretations based on scorecards from organizations like Young Conservatives of Texas (YCT) and The New American’s Freedom Index; individual voters may weigh these ratings differently.

In the lead-up to the March 3 Republican primary for Texas House District 85, mailboxes across Austin, Colorado, Fayette, Gonzales, Lavaca, and Wharton counties have been overflowing with glossy postcards and flyers. But if voters assume these messages come straight from incumbent Rep. Stan Kitzman or challenger Dennis “Goose” Geesaman, they’re likely mistaken. Out of more than two dozen mailers received by one local household, over 90% were funded by third-party political action committees (PACs) and nonprofits, groups with big-money backers often far removed from the rural district’s day-to-day concerns.

This barrage highlights a growing trend in Texas politics: Outside organizations, fueled by oil billionaires, casino tycoons, and industry lobbies, are dominating voter outreach, often with inflammatory claims that obscure the candidates’ own voices. While Kitzman and Geesaman have sent a handful of direct pieces, the real fight is being waged by proxies, raising questions about transparency and whether voters can distinguish fact from funded spin.

The Early Onslaught: Attacks on the Incumbent

The mail war started strong against Kitzman, with at least 15 pieces from hard-right groups like Texans United for a Conservative Majority PAC (backed by West Texas oil magnates Tim Dunn and Farris Wilks, who have poured $23 million into this cycle’s races) and the dark-money First Amendment Alliance Educational Fund. These arrived early, before mid-February, and leaned heavily on culture-war and ethics themes.

One striking example from Texans United accused Kitzman of “prioritizing Islam,” citing bipartisan ceremonial resolutions recognizing Muslim holidays like Eid al-Fitr and voting alignments with Democratic Reps. Salman Bhojani and Suleman Lalani. The mailer used alarmist imagery of mosques and Turkish flags, framing routine legislative acknowledgments as evidence of “radical Islam on the rise.” Similar pieces from the First Amendment Alliance hammered “DEI” (diversity, equity, inclusion) programs, claiming Kitzman “kept DEI alive by renaming it” HUB (Historically Underutilized Businesses) and mandated racial targets in state contracting.

Ethics hits escalated mid-cycle, with Texans United spotlighting Kitzman’s $130,000+ annual contract as “general manager” for the taxpayer-funded Brookshire-Katy Drainage District (BKDD), calling it “unconstitutional self-dealing.” This tied into a real February 2026 Attorney General investigation prompted by conservative watchdogs, though no findings have been released. Funding guilt-by-association was another common tactic: Pieces accused Kitzman of taking $300,000 from PACs that also donated millions to Democrats, or being bankrolled by “liberal Austin lobbyists” like Texans for Lawsuit Reform (TLR), linked to anti-Trump efforts and the Ken Paxton impeachment.

These attacks painted Kitzman as a compromised “RINO” (Republican in Name Only), insufficiently conservative for the district’s rural base. But they came almost exclusively from third parties—not Geesaman himself.

 

 

The Shift: Counters Against the Challenger

As early voting began on February 17, the tide turned. Pro-Kitzman positives surged (at least 9 pieces), mostly from business-aligned PACs like Texas Defense PAC (funded by $9 million+ from casino magnate Miriam Adelson), Texas REALTORS PAC, Charter Schools Now PAC, and Texas Conservative Fund. These emphasized Kitzman’s endorsements from President Donald Trump, Gov. Greg Abbott, and Sen. Ted Cruz, framing him as a “Trump ally” delivering on “America First” priorities like tax cuts, border security, public safety, and school choice.

For instance, Texas Defense sent multiple mailers touting Kitzman’s “A+” rating on issues like ending cashless bail, locking up criminals, and “holding woke prosecutors accountable.” REALTORS highlighted affordability and property tax relief, while Charter Schools Now focused on parental rights and vocational training. One clever Texas Defense piece even acknowledged the mail overload with an overflowing mailbox cartoon, urging voters not to ignore their pro-Kitzman message.

Meanwhile, anti-Geesaman attacks ramped up (8 pieces in the final week), shifting focus to his Flatonia local-government record (city council/mayor in the 2010s–2020s). Texas Defense and Texas Conservative Fund hammered tax hikes (e.g., 10.87% property tax rate increase in 2014, 7.4% budget bump in his final mayor year), calling it a “spending spree” and “tax-and-spend agenda.” The most incendiary accused Geesaman of “corruption,” claiming he funneled tax money to a corporation he formed just two days earlier — a selective reading of public filings, with no legal findings cited.

These hits portrayed Geesaman as “dishonest, corrupt, unfit,” reckless with taxpayer dollars, and a risk in Austin. Notably, they came from the same PACs defending Kitzman, showing coordinated third-party efforts.

Geesaman’s Response: Direct and Defensive

Geesaman’s direct campaign mail (about 4 pieces) emerged late, defending his military service (Lt. Col. veteran) against “lies” and touting endorsements from grassroots groups like Veterans for America First, Texas Gun Rights, and True Texas Project. One called Kitzman “DemocratStan” with a “pants on fire” visual, while another highlighted “double dip corruption” on the BKDD contract.

Allied PACs like Texans United added defensive flair: One sarcastically claimed “Geesaman kicks puppies” to mock opposition falsehoods, accusing Kitzman of “mud-slinging” with thousands in spending.

The Bigger Picture: What PAC Investments Reveal

The PAC investments in this race speak volumes about the candidates, their alignments, and the issues at stake. Dunn and Wilks’ Texans United, rooted in Christian nationalism and far-right agendas, backs Geesaman with attacks on Kitzman’s “purity” (e.g., ceremonial votes seen as “pro-Islam” or DEI-friendly). This suggests Geesaman appeals to voters prioritizing anti-woke cultural issues, borders, and parental rights, though his Flatonia record shows practical local decisions like tax adjustments for infrastructure, framed by opponents as fiscal liberalism.

Conversely, Adelson’s Texas Defense PAC pushes gambling legalization and business interests, defending Kitzman’s voting record (e.g., supporting historic property tax cuts and teacher pay raises but opposing school vouchers) — painting him as a results-oriented moderate conservative (Young Conservatives of Texas rating: 71, solid but not extreme). Mailers amplify divides: Taxes and ethics appear in over half, often cherry-picked (Kitzman’s bipartisan votes vs. Geesaman’s small-town hikes).

Should voters be wary? Absolutely. Dark-money groups like First Amendment Alliance (limited disclosure) raise bigger red flags than transparent PACs like REALTORS. Dunn/Wilks’ agenda (Christian values in policy, anti-establishment) and Adelson’s (gaming expansion) signal donor priorities that may not match local needs — e.g., oil vs. casinos influencing energy or economic bills. Any PAC endorsement isn’t automatically bad but signals alignment; if it overrides a candidate’s record (check Texas Legislature Online or transparencyusa.org), that’s a caution. In HD 85, the PAC war risks voter cynicism, but informed scrutiny can cut through the spin.

Sources: Mailers collected January – February 2026; Texas Ethics Commission reports; Transparency USA data; candidate websites.

 

 

 

Mailer ID	Sponsor	Target	Tone	Key Theme/Claim	Funding Ties	Approximate Date (Based on Content/Sequence)	Fact-Check/Debunk
1	Texans United for a Conservative Majority PAC	Anti-Kitzman	Negative Attack	“Radical Islam on the Rise” — Accuses Kitzman of prioritizing Islam, voting with Muslim Democrats on ceremonial resolutions.	Oil billionaires Tim Dunn/Farris Wilks (~$23M raised this cycle)	Early (pre-Feb 2026, based on first uploads)	Resolutions (HR 1069/1168) were non-binding, bipartisan acknowledgments of holidays; common for all religions, not policy changes or “prioritization.”
2	First Amendment Alliance Educational Fund	Pro-Geesaman	Positive Advocacy	Geesaman’s conservative values, military bio, borders, parental rights, rural investment, anti-woke.	501(c)(4) dark money, limited transparency; conservative advocacy	Mid (Feb 2026)	Geesaman’s military record is verified (USAF Lt. Col., 1973-1994); positions align with standard conservative platforms, no major discrepancies.
3	First Amendment Alliance Educational Fund	Anti-Kitzman	Negative Attack	Kitzman “kept DEI alive by renaming it” HUB, mandating racial/gender targets.	Same as above	Mid	HUB is a pre-existing (1980s) minority business contracting program; Kitzman voted for anti-DEI bills like HB 2 (2025) banning DEI in schools.
4	First Amendment Alliance Educational Fund	Anti-Kitzman	Negative Attack	Kitzman received $300K+ from a PAC that gave $6M+ to Democrats (guilt-by-association with Dem politicians).	Same as above	Mid	Many Texas PACs donate across aisles for influence (search any major PAC or candidate like Kitzman to see cross-party donations); Kitzman’s record is conservative (YCT rating 71), no evidence of liberal votes tied to donors.
5	Texans United for a Conservative Majority PAC	Anti-Kitzman	Negative Attack	Kitzman “unconstitutional” BKDD contract as “General Manager” (~$130K/year), self-dealing.	Dunn/Wilks oil money	Mid-late (ties to Feb 2026 AG probe)	AG opinions allow legislator contractors for subdivisions; ongoing investigation, no resolution; contract via LLC, not personal.
6	Texans United for a Conservative Majority PAC	Anti-Kitzman	Negative Attack	Kitzman backed by “liberal Austin TLR lobbyists” who support anti-Trump/Lincoln Project, impeached Paxton, gave to Dems.	Same as above	Mid-late	TLR (tort reform group) primarily backs Republicans; donations to Dems for influence (Transparency USA page showing all TLR PAC contributions, including occasional Democratic ones for influence on tort reform); no direct link to Kitzman’s votes being liberal (YCT scorecard confirming Kitzman’s conservative rating of 71%).
7	First Amendment Alliance Educational Fund	Pro-Geesaman	Positive Advocacy	Geesaman stands for conservative values (borders, parental rights, rural Texas, 2A, anti-woke).	Same as above	Mid-late	Claims align with Geesaman’s platform; his local record includes tax votes (article detailing his Flatonia council and mayoral record, including the tax increases referenced in attacks), but positives are standard conservative rhetoric.
8	First Amendment Alliance Educational Fund	Anti-Kitzman	Negative Attack	Kitzman votes for DEI/HUB/racial quotas programs, wasting $1.8M+ on minority health (exclusively for Anglos).	Same as above	Mid-late	HUB is economic program, not DEI; $1.8M claim cherry-picked/misrepresented; Kitzman supported DEI bans in education.
9	First Amendment Alliance Educational Fund	Pro-Geesaman	Positive Advocacy	Vote for Lt Col Geesaman — military bio, borders, parental rights, rural investment, 2A, anti-federal overreach.	Same as above	Late (voting dates)	Military service verified; claims standard (Community Impact Q&A where Geesaman outlines his conservative priorities), though local tax votes not mentioned.
10	First Amendment Alliance Educational Fund	Anti-Kitzman	Negative Attack	Kitzman got $300K from PAC that donated $6M to Dems (similar to #4).	Same as above	Late	Cross-party donations common for influence (Transparency USA’s main Texas page — you can search any PAC and instantly see donations to both Republicans and Democrats for influence); Kitzman’s conservative rating (YCT 71) not impacted.
11	Dennis Geesaman Campaign	Pro-Geesaman/Anti-Kitzman	Positive with Attack	Veterans for America First endorsement; defends Geesaman’s service against Kitzman’s “lies” on back (pants on fire, truth about Goose).	Direct campaign (self-funded or donors)	Late (Feb 17-27 early voting)	Endorsement real; “lies” refer to opposition attacks on Geesaman’s record (Austin County News Online interview where Geesaman directly addresses the attacks on his military service and calls them “lies”), unverified but defensive response.
12	Texas REALTORS PAC	Pro-Kitzman	Positive Advocacy	Fighting for affordability, families, results (tax cuts, schools, first responders); Trump endorsement.	Real estate industry (millions from members/NAR)	Late	Kitzman voted for tax cuts (SB 2, 2025); Trump endorsement verified; aligns with realtor priorities on property rights.
13	Texans United for a Conservative Majority PAC	Anti-Geesaman	Negative Attack	Geesaman “kicks puppies” (sarcastic false statement to mock opposition lies); accuses Kitzman of mud-slinging.	Dunn/Wilks oil money	Late (voting dates)	Sarcasm to dismiss attacks; no literal claim, but highlights negative campaigning on both sides.
14	Dennis Geesaman Campaign	Anti-Kitzman/Pro-Geesaman	Negative Attack	“Media exposes Kitzman’s double dip corruption” (BKDD contract); endorsements on back (Veterans for America First, grassroots groups).	Direct campaign	Late (Feb 17-27 early voting)	BKDD contract under AG review (Texas Scorecard article confirming the Attorney General opened the investigation in February 2026); endorsements real from conservative groups (Geesaman’s official campaign site listing the Veterans for America First endorsement and other conservative groups).
15	Charter Schools Now PAC	Pro-Kitzman	Positive Advocacy	Kitzman fights for schools that work for families, parental choice, vocational training; “A+” rating.	Education reform/charter advocates	Late	Kitzman supported school funding/vocational bills (HB 2, 2025) (Official Texas Legislature page for HB 2 — the major 2025 school finance bill that included teacher pay raises and expanded vocational/career-tech education funding. Kitzman was a co-author and voted for it); rating from PAC aligns with his votes (Charter Schools Now official site — they issued the “A+” rating specifically because Kitzman supported their priorities on school choice, funding, and vocational programs).
16	Texas Defense PAC	Pro-Kitzman	Positive Advocacy	Kitzman endorsed by Trump/Abbott/Cruz; delivering for rural Texas (tax cuts, border, crime, veterans, stop extremists, stand with Trump).	Gambling/casino interests (Adelson/Sands, ~$9M+)	Late	Endorsements verified (Kitzman’s official campaign website with the Trump, Abbott, and Cruz endorsements); Kitzman’s votes include tax cuts (SB 2) (Official bill page for the major 2025 property tax relief bill Kitzman supported) and border bills (Major 2025 border security bill Kitzman voted for).
17	Texas Defense PAC	Pro-Kitzman	Positive Advocacy	Kitzman “President’s #1 ally in Austin” (Trump photo); only HD85 candidate endorsed by Trump.	Same as above	Late	Trump endorsement real (July 2025) (Kitzman’s official campaign site with the full Trump endorsement letter dated July 2025); ” #1 ally” is PAC spin, but sole endorsement in race.
18	Texas Defense PAC	Pro-Kitzman	Positive Advocacy	Kitzman “means business” on public safety (back the blue, end cashless bail, lock up criminals, tough policies, stop extremists, hold woke prosecutors accountable).	Same as above	Late	Kitzman supported bail reform and crime bills (HB 20 – 2021 Cashless Bail Reform bill that ended cashless bail for violent felonies; Kitzman voted Yea); “woke prosecutors” is rhetoric, no specific vote tied.
19	Texas Defense PAC	Pro-Kitzman	Positive Advocacy	Trump/Abbott/Cruz back Kitzman to “keep winning” (lower taxes, safer neighborhoods, better schools).	Same as above	Late	Endorsements real (Kitzman’s official campaign site with Trump, Abbott, and Cruz endorsements); claims align with Kitzman’s legislative record on taxes (SB 2 – 2025 major property tax cut bill Kitzman supported)/schools (HB 2 – 2025 school finance / teacher pay / vocational bill Kitzman co-authored)/safety (HB 20 – 2021 cashless bail reform / tough-on-crime bill Kitzman voted for).
20	Texas Conservative Fund	Pro-Kitzman	Positive Advocacy	Kitzman delivering for rural Texas (tax cuts, border, criminals, veterans, stop extremists, stand with Trump); endorsed by Trump/Abbott/Cruz.	GOP/conservative ties (linked to Republican Party of Texas)	Late	Endorsements verified; Kitzman’s Freedom Index 50%, YCT 71 — solid conservative, not extreme.
21	Texans United for a Conservative Majority PAC	Anti-Geesaman/Pro-Geesaman	Negative/Defensive	Kitzman “slinging mud” with “thousands” in misleading mail; positions Geesaman as true conservative.	Dunn/Wilks oil money	Late (voting dates)	Meta claim on campaigning; both sides spent heavily (Transparency USA page showing total spending in the HD 85 race — you can see contributions from Texans United, Texas Defense PAC, First Amendment Alliance, etc.), no specific falsehoods debunked here.
22	Texas Conservative Fund	Anti-Geesaman	Negative Attack	Geesaman voted to raise property taxes by 10.87%; reject his “tax-and-spend agenda.”	GOP/conservative ties	Late	Real 2014 Flatonia vote for infrastructure needs (Fayette County Record article detailing the 10.87% tax rate increase and its context as local infrastructure funding); small-town context, not “agenda” — Geesaman’s overall record conservative (His official campaign site outlining conservative positions on taxes, borders, parental rights, etc.).
23	Texas Action PAC	Anti-Geesaman	Negative Attack	Geesaman record of “overspending and chaos” (skyrocketed spending, massive budget increase); Texas can’t afford him.	Smaller conservative advocacy	Late	7.4% budget increase in final mayor year (Fayette County Record article that discusses Geesaman’s time as mayor and the 7.4% budget increase in his final year, placing it in local context) due to inflation/post-COVID; routine for municipalities, not “chaos.”
24	Texas Defense PAC	Anti-Geesaman	Negative Attack	Geesaman “dishonest, corrupt, unfit” (funneling tax money to his corporation, defied ethics, cronies); raised taxes 3 times, careless spending.	Gambling/casino interests	Late	Corporation timing suspicious but no legal violation found (Fayette County Record article that discusses the corporation timing allegation in detail and notes there has been no formal ethics complaint or legal violation); tax votes real but contextual (local needs); no “corruption” charges (same link as above, the article confirms it remains an allegation with no charges filed).
25	Texas Defense PAC	Anti-Geesaman	Negative Attack	Geesaman “A-Okay with raising your taxes… not once, but 3 times!!” (family stressed over bills image); can’t afford him in Austin.	Same as above	Late	Three votes on local taxes over years; increases modest for small town, tied to services (Fayette County Record article that puts the three tax-related votes in context as routine small-town infrastructure and service needs), not state-level policy.
26	Texas Defense PAC	Anti-Geesaman	Negative Attack	“The Cost of Dennis Geesaman” (taxpayers left with the bill when he held power); raised taxes 3 times, didn’t stop agenda, can’t be trusted.	Same as above	Late	Repeats tax claims; Geesaman’s tenure in Flatonia included balanced budgets, no scandals beyond opposition spin (Fayette County Record article that reviews Geesaman’s full tenure as councilman and mayor, notes the tax and budget votes in local context, and confirms the corporation allegation remains unproven with no formal charges or scandals).