Houston-area firms steering PAC money to Democrats

[Judi Lynn]

Source: Houston Chronicle Washington Bureau

May 7, 2007, 12:44AM
Houston-area firms steering PAC money to Democrats
PAC money is steered toward party that heads key committees

By BENNETT ROTH
Copyright 2007 Houston Chronicle Washington Bureau

WASHINGTON — Several large Houston-area companies in the Republican-leaning energy industry and other sectors have been shifting federal campaign contributions to Democrats, who are flexing their new power in Congress as they draft legislation on energy and the environment.

Political action committees for companies including ConocoPhillips, BP Corp. and Continental Airlines gave a significantly higher percentage of their contributions to Democrats in the first quarter of 2007 than they did for the November 2006 election, when Republicans lost their majorities in the House and Senate.

Corporate officials warned that first quarter contributions in a two-year election cycle should not be interpreted as an indication of a major change in long-term giving strategy. And some business PACs, including that of energy giant ExxonMobil, are still contributing largely to Republican lawmakers and candidates.

Nevertheless, some Texas mega-employers seem to be following the national trend of businesses steering more of their PAC money to Democrats, who now head the key committees where legislation is drafted.



Read more: http://chron.com/disp/story.mpl/front/4780480.html

[Tarheel_Dem]

1. All I have to say is Dems better be really careful

who they accept donations from. The last thing we need is to get into the same mess that Repukes now find themselves.

[CookCountyResident]

2. Big oil?

ConocoPhillips? BP???????