Recent FEC Filings outline new contributions made to both the campaigns in the 24-48 hour reports of Cindy Hyde-Smith and Mike Espy. Additionally there have been some small independent expenditures (IEs) that have been made on their behalf.
Cindy Hyde-Smith’s subsequent contributions have generally come from business interests. Douglas McLeod of PetroGulf Corp donated $2,700, and Texans for Lawsuit Reform made a $1,000 contribution.
Quantum Energy Partners Founder and CEO Will Vanloh contributed $2,700.
MUY Consulting President James Bodenstedt contributed $2,700, along with Onstead Holdings owner Kay Onstead. Gary Hopper of General Atomics also donated $2,700.
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The most interesting campaign contributions came into the Espy campaign. Clinton administration insider Tony Coehlo contributed $1,000 to the Mike Espy for Senate campaign committee. Coehlo authored the American with Disabilities Act during his time in U.S. Congress, and then returned to politics as chairman of the President’s Committee on Employment of People with Disabilities for Bill Clinton.
Trial lawyer turned judicial bribery convict Dickie Scruggs contributed $2,700 to Espy’s campaign. Scruggs litigated tobacco, asbestos, Ritalin and Katrina cases before he pled guilty twice to conspiracy conspiracy charges to bribe Circuit Judge Henry L. Lackey and Circuit Judge Bobby DeLaughter.
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The American Association for Justice Political Action Committee donated $5,000 to Espy’s cause. AAJ was formerly known as the Association of Trial Lawyers of America (ATLA), and have been at the tip of the spear for the interests of trial lawyers.
Senator Deval Patrick, former Massachusetts governor and Assistant Attorney General for Civil Rights under Bill Clinton donated $2,700. Patrick has also served various legal counsel roles for Texaco, Coca-Cola, Chevron, and AAC Capital Holdings.
Robert Rubin, former Secretary of Treasury for the Clinton Administration, contributed $2,700 to the campaign for Mike Espy. Rubin is also the founder of thinktank The Hamilton Project, which aims to bring economic innovation in America.
Another noteworthy contribution in Espy’s favor is from that of Saturday Night Live producer Lorne Michaels. While the skits on SNL are known to often parody various members of the Republican party, Michaels seems to not be a respecter of a party, as he also donated money to Republican Senator Susan Collins.
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Courtney Ingle
