PRESIDIO COUNTY — State laws requiring county candidates to name a campaign treasurer and report contributions and expenditures over certain dollar limits are routine for candidates in more populous counties in Texas, but Presidio County candidates have a poor history of filling the required documents. A review of filings for the most recent deadline –– 30 days before the primary election –– revealed that half of the county candidates have failed to follow the laws on campaign finance reports.
State election laws require candidates to name a treasurer –– which can be the candidate –– at the start of their campaign by filling out a simple, one-page form and submitting it to the county clerk’s office. Then candidates are required to report total contributions and expenditures (along with details of those transactions for some dollar amounts) on forms submitted to the county clerk at certain deadlines throughout the year. Candidates can report on their treasurer designation that they don’t plan to accept or spend more than $1,080 in their campaigns and thus can avoid filing other contribution reports.
As of The Big Bend Sentinel review Tuesday –– seven days after the February 5 deadline for the latest report –– only the following candidates met their obligations: Nancy Arevalo and Norma Valenzuela (tax assessor-collector candidates), Blair Park and Rod Ponton (county attorney candidates), Ruben Armendariz and Deirdre Hisler (commissioner candidates) and Adan “Pugi” Covos (constable candidate).
Those not following the law include: Tiburcio “Butch” Acosta, Jose Luiz Cabezuela, Irma Carrasco Sanchez, Samuel Sanchez and Francisco “Franky” Ortiz (commissioner candidates); and Estevan “Steve” Marquez and Rafael Bently Acosta (constable candidates).
The Texas Ethics Commission, which governs campaign finance laws, can fine candidates for not meeting requirements or deadlines. For instance, its rules note: “The fine for a report due eight days before an election is $500 for the first day the report is late and $100 for each day thereafter that the report is late, up to a maximum fine of $10,000.” However, someone must first file a complaint before the commission before it investigates infractions, and often the commission will reduce fines, which usually end up in the $500 to $1,500 range.
Campaign finance reports are intended to keep the public informed of large donations to candidates and to ensure their expenditures are legitimate. However, several candidates were unaware of the requirements when reminded by the Sentinel of the deadline for the report due 30 days before the primary election. The reminder resulted in some candidates fulfilling their required fillings (although with a couple late), while others still did not file.
Update: After this story ran, Estevan “Steve” Marquez –– incumbent candidate for Precinct 1 constable — reported that he filed his appointment of a campaign treasurer form and indicated he does not plan on taking in or spending more than $1,080. Jose Luiz Cabezuela filed the same form and designation on February 16.