Texas House Speaker Dade Phelan’s new chief of staff Mike Toomey is a Democrat donor.
The former lawmaker-turned-lobbyist previously earned millions representing groups such as the pro-casino Las Vegas Sands and several taxpayer-funded institutions, such as the Democrat-dominated Harris County Commissioners Court, Houston Port Authority, and the City of San Antonio.
Campaign finance records reveal that Toomey has given thousands of dollars since 2015 to liberal Democrat lawmakers.
Toomey has also given $13,000 to Speaker Phelan. His hire is being viewed as an attempt by Phelan to project power heading into the vote for speaker next session.
While Phelan has said he intends to run again, he has already gained two opponents—State Reps. Shelby Slawson (R-Stephenville) and Tom Oliverson (R-Cypress). Both are running on platforms of ending the power-sharing dynamic in the Texas House that has led Democrats to dictate the chamber’s legislative agenda.
