HD-96: Bill Zedler Backs Out of Debate At Last Minute, Failed to Disclose $13,000 in Contributions

by: Phillip Martin, Progress Texas

Tue Oct 12, 2010 at 02:51 PM CDT

Two separate actions show the same pattern: Bill Zedler is hiding from voters, running from his record, and flagrantly abusing the public's trust.

First, we learn last night from Fort Worth Star-Telegram reporter and columnist Bud Kennedy that Bill Zedler skipped out on the debate he was scheduled to have with State Rep. Chris Turner no more than an hour before it was supposed to start. From Kennedy's Tweets:

1. Arlington R @Bill_Zedler, the anti-Hooters guy, canceled an hour before his only debate with D @RepChrisTurner. All R's no-shows at LWV
   
   
2. Found Zedler in parking lot at FtW Tea Party event. Says his surrogate coming here had a death in the family and he decided to come here.
   
   
3. Arlington R @Bill_Zedler at Fort Worth 912 meeting. He canceled late on debating @RepChrisTurner at Arlington LWV http://twitpic.com/2wv5au
   
   
4. Recap: R @Bill_Zedler canceled on debate vs. @RepChrisTurner at Arlington LWV, went to this FtWorth 912/TeaParty http://tinyurl.com/zed-tea

Now we may know why Zedler was running from the public It turns out that Bill Zedler has failed to disclose up to $13,000 in contributions. From a press release sent out from the Lone Star Project:

Texas Ethics Commission reports reviewed by the Lone Star Project show that Bill Zedler failed to report at least three major contributions – worth over $13,000 – made during the latest filing period.

[...]

Zedler failed to disclose at least three large contributions from extreme right wing organizations totaling at least $13,350:

• Associated Republicans of Texas (ART) – Gave Zedler at least $10,000.
  ART is heavily funded by Republican mega-donors including anti-homeowner activist Bob Perry. Perry has lobbied aggressively to limit the ability of homeowners to protect themselves from shoddy and dangerous home construction (Dallas Morning News, January 21, 2007)
  
  
• Metroplex Republican Women – Gave Zedler at least $2,350.
  This extreme right-wing organization has endorsed the Republican Party of Texas state party platform, including raising the states sales tax forcing Texans to pay the highest sales tax in the nation. Zedler is a champion of the massive sales tax increase.
  
  
• GOPAC-TX – Gave Zedler at least $1,000
  GOPAC is an infamous right-wing organization founded by controversial and divisive conservative leader Newt Gingrich.