Pharmaceutical giant Pfizer has been giving financial support to state lawmakers in Texas.
Based on newly released campaign disclosures, Pfizer has donated to 31 Texas legislators and officials since the end of this year’s legislative session, as reported by the Texas Scorecard.
Politicians from both parties received contributions from Pfizer of either $1,500 or $1,000. Recipients included Gov. Greg Abbott, Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick, and Comptroller Glenn Hegar. Each received $1,500. The remainder of the recipients were state representatives and senators, who received $1,000 each.
As the Texas Scorecard noted, the lawmakers most outspoken in their opposition to vaccine mandates and other methods used to encourage vaccinations did not make the list.
Dallas-Fort Worth area lawmakers who were not beneficiaries of Pfizer’s donations include Sen. Bob Hall, whose district includes the eastern and southeastern parts of Dallas and surrounding cities, and Rep. Tony Tinderholt, who represents the Arlington area. Sen. Kevin Sparks, who represents Midland and the surrounding panhandle, was also left off Pfizer’s giving list. All three are Republicans with a track record of being pro-vaccine choice and against related COVID-19 restrictions.
The Dallas Express reached out to Tinderholt for his reaction to the revelation that Pfizer is supporting certain Texas lawmakers’ campaigns. In an emailed response, Tinderholt said, “I will continue to fight for my constituents’ rights to informed consent and medical liberty. I do not need or want the approval of big pharma to do that.”
Pfizer only contributed to one House member who voted against impeaching Attorney General Ken Paxton in 2023: Caroline Harris Davila (R-Round Rock), according to the Texas Scorecard. Paxton is leading the state’s efforts to sue Pfizer for misrepresenting its COVID-19 vaccine and suppressing speech opposed to its vaccine objectives, as reported by The Dallas Express.