| During elections an enormous amount of money is spent on campaigns, and the dollars spent have been increasing during both Presidential and midterm elections. During the Presidential election in 2000 $3,082,340,937 was spent by presidential candidates, senate and house candidates, political parties and independent interest groups trying to influence federal elections, and that number increased to $5,285,680,883 in 2008. During the last midterm election cycle, in 2006, candidates and others groups spent $2,852,658,140, and if the trend continues even more will be spent this year.
Local residents have donated over $118,000 to political candidates and campaign during the current election cycle, and over half of those donations originated from two different zip codes. The largest amount of donations came from south College Station, a total of $39,295 in political donations originated from the 77845 zip code. The second largest amount of donations came from eastern Bryan, at total of $23,741 originated from the 77802 zip code. Residents of College Station have donated $63,429 to political campaigns, while residents of Bryan have donated $54,835.
In local Brazos County campaigns County Commissioner Duane Peters, who is a Republican primary candidate for County Judge, has spent $12,451, the most out of any other candidate. Representative Fred Brown has spent the most out of local Texas legislature candidates, spending $9,404 during the current reporting period. In the local congressional district, Congressman Edwards has already spent more than all of the Republican candidates involved in the primary combined; all five Republican primary candidates have spent a total $268,481 during the current election cycle while Edwards has spent $308,832.
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| According to an article in the Bryan-College Station Eagle, primary candidates for county offices have spent a total of $35,039 on campaign expenditures. The Republican candidates for Brazos County judge have spent a total of $20,117, Republican candidates for County Commissioner of Precinct 2 have spent a total of $13,533, and Democratic candidates for County Commissioner of Precinct 4 have spent a total of $1,389. Bryan Mayor Mark Conlee, who is a Republican primary candidate for County Judge, has received $4,775 in contributions, while Peters has received $3,940 in donations. Former Bryan Mayor Ernie Wentrcek received $1,050 in contributions, and Brian Alg failed to submit a campaign finance report.
The Republican primary candidates for the Texas House of Representatives District 14 have raised a total of $42,000 and have spent $15,906 during the January 1st through January 31st reporting period. According to Texas Ethics Commission records, Representative Brown raised $37,750 during the reporting period, of which $17,600 came from local donations (47%). Brown spent $ 9,404 during the reporting period has and has $52,171 cash on hand. Rick Davis raised $2,050 during the reporting period, of which $1,100 came from local donations (54%). Davis spent $4,504 during the reporting period and has $1,556 cash on hand. Dr. Blanche Brick raised $1,600 during the reporting period, of which $950 came from local donations (59%). Brick spent $1,017 during the reporting period, and has $1,853 cash on hand. Gerald "Buddy" Winn raise $600 during the reporting period, of which $100 came from local donations (16%). Winn spent $981 during the reporting period, and has no cash on hand.
According to the Center for Responsive Politics, Congressman Edwards has raised $1,405,252 during the current election cycle, of which $890,355 came from individual donations (63%) and $500,069 came from political action committee (PAC) donations (36%). Edwards has spent $308,832 during the current election cycle, and has $1,309,661 on hand. Bill Flores, one of the Republican primary candidates for Congressional District 17, has raised $416,466 during the current election cycle, of which $111,601 came from individual donations (27%) and $303,865 was from self-financing (73%). Flores has spent $46,783 during the current election cycle, and has $369,783 on hand. Rob Curnock, has raised $138,763 during the current election cycle, of which $85,779 was from individual donations (62%) and $52,732 was from self-financing (38%). Curnock has spent $68,002 during the current election cycle, and has $72,020 cash on hand.
David McIntyre has raised $123,965 during the current election cycle, of which $54,483 came from individual donations (44%) and 69,482 was from self-financing (56%). McIntyre has spent $49,318 during the current election cycle, and has $74,962 cash on hand. Chuck Wilson has raised $122,271 during the current election cycle, of which $102,271 came from individual donations (84%) and $20,000 was from self-financing (16%). Wilson has spent $89,144 during the current election cycle, and has $33,125 cash on hand. Timothy Delasandro has raised $20,217 during the current election cycle, of which $7,554 came from individual donations (37%) and $12,413 was from self-financing (61%). Delasandro has spent $15,234 during the current election cycle, and has $4,981 cash on hand.
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