Parking Lot PACs

What is a PAC?

There are several PACs who present their candidate recommendations in polling parking lots to voters during the Primary Election.  They call their recommendations “Slate Guides” or “Voter Guides”.  You’ve probably seen them waiting to hand you their recommendations at the polls and have wondered, “What is a PAC?” and “Who is Representing Them”?

PAC stands for political action committee.  “In the U.S., a political action committee (PAC) is a political committee that pools campaign contributions from members and donates those funds to campaigns for or against candidates, ballot initiatives, or legislation”  Political expenses and donations are regulated by several governing authorities, such as the Federal Ethics Commission or the Texas Ethics Commission.  In order to participate in elections as a group, a political action committee must be formed and the committee must file with the proper governing authority.  “A committee can be a large organization” or “as small as two people”.

Because Montgomery County is vastly Republican, for decades the Republican nominee has easily won the General Election and gone on to be the elected official. Therefore it is the Primary election that is the most heated battle at the polls.  It is at this time that the voters decide which of their party’s candidates makes it to the General Election.   The Primary Election generally happens in the Spring.  

Below are a few details about the PACs who will be hoping you vote based on their recommendations.

Montgomery County Tea Party PAC

Date Formed: Financial Data on the Texas Ethics Commission dates back to 2016.  

Website: https://www.mcteaparty.org/ 

Who’s Involved: Chairman - Larry Rogers, President - Pat Tibbs, Vice President - Billy Graff, Directors: John Wertz, Dave Smith, Bob Bagley, Dale Fessenden, James Byers, Billy Graff, Larry Rogers

Vetting Process: From Website - “In accordance with our overall Education Mission, MCTP has vetted candidates and developed a candidate knowledge base for federal, state,  and local races. Our evaluation has been conducted in line with our Vetting Policy o8, developed by the Vetting Committee noted below, in a fair, unbiased, objective and transparent manner….We encourage you to thoroughly review our US VOTE SMART knowledge-base and forward the link to like-minded conservatives who are interested in making a difference in our county by supporting candidates who we feel will govern in accordance with true Constitutional principles.” 

Results of their Vetting, See Who This PAC has Endorsed:  Local Candidates Endorsed/Supported/Highest Scoring: Eric Yollick, Billy Graff, Daniel Pena, Brain Clack, Bryan Skero, Jon Bouche (Bold Text Denotes they won their race)  2020 Republican Primary Guide




Republican Voters of Texas PAC

Date Formed: Financial Data on the Texas Ethics Commission dates back to 2018.

Website: https://republicanvoterstx.com/ 

Who’s Involved: Advisory Board (No officers listed) - Amy Byers, Annette Kerr, Beth Dempsey, Brenda Mack, Constable David Hill (Retired) & Linda Hill, David & Sandra Wiggins, David & Sheila Marler, Dean Johnson, Deborah Hogsdon, Dona Hunt, Donna Gossett, Dorothy Harp, Francine Hope, Greg &  Dr. Jacqueline Lookabaugh, James Nelson, Janet Mitchell, Janis Boulware, Jim Schultz, Jim Wiggins, Joan Martin, JoAnne Moore, Jody Hostetler, Judy Parada, Kat Rummel, Laura Watson, Linda Grayson, Linda Fox, Lynn Halfin, Mary Lea Kirk, Michelle Martin, Patti Moore, Rebecca Stauth, Scott Baker, Sharon O'Neil, Sheriff Tommy Gage (Retired), Steve Ebel, Sylvia Olszowy, Theresa Wagaman, Tony & Mimi Barreras, Alice Melancon, Dorothy Woodall, Fran Martin, Greg Long, Jo Dell Whitehead, Jodi Ruonavar, Karen Darcy-Pawlak, Kenna Seiler, Kenny Mansfield, Kim Bailey, Layne Carrell, Leah Gray, Linda Stuckey, Marisa Rummel, Pat Truesdale, Paul Cote, Pearl Maggio, Ritzy Fletcher, Stephanie Gray, Susan Johnson, Suzanne Adams

Vetting Process: From Website - Endorsements of all candidates are made by vote of the Advisory Board.  Unlike many other PACs who endorse candidates by a small group of members, each member of the Republican Voters of Texas PAC Advisory Board is given an equal vote.  Our Advisory Board is 100+ members strong with a driving mission to promote the Republican Party and common sense in our political system.  We support candidates who demonstrate Republican values, are highly qualified for the office they seek, and have a demonstrable history of being good citizens in their communities. 

Results of their Vetting, See Who This PAC Has Endorsed: Local Candidates Endorsed/Supported/Highest Scoring: Vince Santini, Robert Walker, Chris Jones, Rowdy Hayden, Daniel Pena, Bryan Christ (Bold text denotes they won their race)  2020 Republican Primary Endorsements  



Texas Patriots PAC

Date Formed: Financial Data on the Texas Ethics Commission dates back to 2010.

Website: https://www.texaspatriotspac.com/ 

Who’s Involved:  Dr. Julie Turner – President/co-founder, Suzanne Guggenheim- Co-founder, Jon Bauman – Vice President, Cindy Gaskill - Treasurer, Bill O’Sullivan – Treasurer Emeritus

Vetting Process: None indicated on their website.  A past news article shed some light: “Turner said the TPPAC selects its endorsements by consensus rather than by vote - saying a vote doesn’t mean much compared to a discussion leading to one candidate the group unites behind. However, Turner does have the final stamp of approval on any endorsements...To be considered, Turner said candidates fill out a vetting form. TPPAC members will decide to meet with ones they are seriously considering. TPPAC also requires a “path to victory,” which Turner said includes a financial plan to reach voters.”

Results of their Vetting, See Who This PAC Has Endorsed: Local Candidates Endorsed/Supported/Highest Scoring: Eric Yollick, Billy Graff, Daniel Pena, Chris Jones, Rowdy Hayden (Bold Text Denotes they won their race)  2020 Republican Primary Endorsements


Visit these PAC websites, attend candidate forums, and get involved in a local club to learn more about the upcoming 2022 Primary Election.  With solid research, you will enter the polling location with your choices in hand.