{"id":294005,"date":"2026-05-15T04:31:31","date_gmt":"2026-05-15T04:31:31","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/294005\/"},"modified":"2026-05-15T04:31:31","modified_gmt":"2026-05-15T04:31:31","slug":"meet-the-megadonors-behind-the-pro-james-talarico-super-pac","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/294005\/","title":{"rendered":"Meet the megadonors behind the pro-James Talarico super PAC"},"content":{"rendered":"

Audio recording is automated for accessibility. Humans wrote and edited the story. See our AI policy<\/a>, and give us feedback<\/a>.<\/p>\n

James Talarico, the Austin state lawmaker and Democratic U.S. Senate nominee, is running on a premise that the true conflict in politics is not left versus right, but a \u201ctop versus bottom\u201d struggle between the ultrawealthy and everyday Texans.<\/p>\n

At the heart of this message is Talarico\u2019s avowed support for curbing the political influence of billionaire donors. He has sworn off corporate PAC donations, proposed measures<\/a> to crack down on \u201cbillionaire tax loopholes<\/a>\u201d to ensure they \u201cpay their fair share,\u201d and advocated for outlawing super PACs<\/a>.<\/p>\n

But the cast of contributors bankrolling Lone Star Rising PAC, a super PAC in his corner, features several billionaires, many of whom are prolific Democratic donors, and dark money nonprofit groups that do not have to disclose their funders. <\/p>\n

While donors are capped at giving $3,500 per election to individual candidates, no such contribution limits exist for super PACs, which can spend unlimited funds supporting or opposing candidates, including through advertising, voter mobilization efforts and polling, as long as they don\u2019t coordinate with a candidate\u2019s campaign.<\/p>\n

Lone Star Rising raised just under $9 million from its inception in September through the end of March,\u00a0and spent almost all of it on ads supporting Talarico and attacking U.S. Rep. Jasmine Crockett, his primary foe. The group\u2019s treasurer is Alexander Clark, who overlapped with Talarico when both taught in public schools in San Antonio through Teach for America.<\/p>\n

Super PACs like Lone Star Rising have been key players in Texas\u2019 Senate race \u2014\u00a0U.S. Sen. John Cornyn and his Republican primary runoff opponent, Attorney General Ken Paxton, both have such groups supporting them, as did Crockett. At the same time, dark money<\/a> has surged in federal races<\/a>, with Cornyn in particular benefiting from tens of millions in ad spending from a constellation of super PACs and nonprofit groups.<\/p>\n

Both issues are thornier for Democrats, some of whom, like Talarico, have made getting big money out of politics central to their platforms. Ahead of the March primary, Crockett called him \u201ca man that seemingly doesn\u2019t practice what he preaches,\u201d saying he had \u201cwelcomed and embraced these billionaires and their dark money support.\u201d<\/p>\n

Talarico\u2019s campaign argues that 97% of contributions to his campaign account \u2014 which has raised over $40 million<\/a> since he launched his campaign last fall \u2014 have come from small-dollar donors. <\/p>\n

\u201cThe only way to stop super PACs like these is to vote out politicians like John Cornyn and Ken Paxton who want corporations and billionaires to decide our elections, not Texans,\u201d Talarico spokesperson JT Ennis said in a statement. \u201cJames is the only candidate that\u2019s outlined a comprehensive agenda \u2026 so we can fix this broken, corrupt political system.\u201d<\/p>\n

When previously asked about the support he receives from billionaire donors and super PACs, Talarico has said he will not \u201cunilaterally disarm while Republicans play by their own rules,\u201d and that he welcomes billionaire supporters who believe they should be taxed more and see their political influence limited. <\/p>\n

Garry Jones, the director of Lone Star Rising PAC, said the group was \u201cexplicit\u201d to donors that it supports much the same goals.<\/p>\n

\u201cUnfortunately we live in a political system in which, if you don\u2019t use all the rules to your advantage, you\u2019re left behind, and by being left behind, your ideas and principles and policy goals are left behind,\u201d Jones, a longtime Democratic operative, said. \u201cYou can\u2019t approach the current political climate with your hands tied behind your back.\u201d<\/p>\n

Here\u2019s a look at the donors backing the pro-Talarico Lone Star Rising PAC.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Reid Hoffman<\/p>\n

Amount donated to LSR: $1.5 million<\/p>\n

Hoffman is the cofounder of LinkedIn and a billionaire venture capitalist, AI investor and Democratic megadonor. Since 2016, Hoffman has given roughly $77 million<\/a> to numerous Democratic groups and campaigns in contributions reported to the FEC, including $10.3 million to former Vice President Kamala Harris\u2019 main super PAC, Future Forward PAC.<\/p>\n

This cycle, Hoffman\u2019s largest collective contribution so far has gone to Lone Star Rising PAC. He has also donated to other Democratic U.S. Senate candidates, including former Gov. Roy Cooper in North Carolina, former Sen. Sherrod Brown in Ohio and Sen. Jon Ossoff in Georgia.<\/p>\n

Hoffman recently drew scrutiny for his relationship with Jeffrey Epstein \u2014 the sex abuser and financier who died in jail in 2019 \u2014 upon the Justice Department\u2019s release of the Epstein files. The documents show<\/a> Hoffman was communicating and meeting with Epstein well after Epstein pleaded guilty in 2008 for soliciting a minor for prostitution and was registered as a sex offender. Hoffman visited Epstein\u2019s private Caribbean island in 2014, gifted him a statue and offered to help with publicity after Epstein was accused of sex trafficking in 2014.<\/p>\n

Crockett nodded at the connection in the leadup to the March election, saying, \u201cIf one of the individuals who donated publicly is someone in the Epstein files, imagine who else has given anonymously\u201d \u2014 a reference to Lone Star Rising\u2019s dark money support.<\/p>\n

Talarico has advocated for the full release<\/a> of the Epstein files and justice for the victims of Epstein\u2019s circle. Most Republicans in Congress, including Cornyn, opposed releasing<\/a> the files last fall before reversing and approving<\/a> their disclosure.<\/p>\n

Hoffman said on social media<\/a> that he went to Epstein\u2019s island to help fundraise for the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. He said the FBI under the Trump administration found no indication of wrongdoing, adding, \u201cI regret ever interacting with Epstein.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

The Bench<\/p>\n

Amount donated to LSR: $500,000<\/p>\n

The Bench is an organization that launched in January to develop the \u201cnext generation of Democratic leaders\u201d \u2014 specifically, up and coming candidates with unusual political profiles that, in the eyes of the group\u2019s leaders, reflect the states and districts they aim to represent. Lis Smith, a Democratic strategist who worked on Pete Buttigieg\u2019s 2020 presidential campaign, serves as a senior adviser<\/a> to The Bench. Andrew Mamo, a consultant for Talarico\u2019s campaign, is a spokesperson<\/a> for the group.<\/p>\n

\u201cOur candidates are community-rooted, values-driven, and ready to connect with voters across party lines,\u201d the group\u2019s website states<\/a>.<\/p>\n

This cycle, The Bench has also endorsed Tejano music star Bobby Pulido in Texas\u2019 15th Congressional District and sheriff\u2019s deputy Johnny Garcia in the 35th Congressional District. Its roster of Senate candidates also includes former U.S. Rep. Mary Peltola in Alaska and state Sen. Mallory McMorrow in Michigan.<\/p>\n

In the first three months of this year, The Bench received major donations<\/a> including $2 million from billionaire hedge fund manager and Democratic donor Stephen Mandel; $500,000 from Better World Civic Trust<\/a>; $395,000 from billionaire Netflix cofounder Reed Hastings; and $250,000 from billionaire crypto CEO and investor Michael Novogratz.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Adam Pritzker<\/p>\n

Amount donated to LSR: $180,000<\/p>\n

Adam Pritzker is a scion of the billionaire family that derives much of its wealth from the Hyatt hotel empire. He is a cousin of Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker and a prolific Democratic donor<\/a>, giving $926,000 to Kamala Harris\u2019 campaign in 2024.<\/p>\n

Pritzker is a major supporter of state level Democrats around the country, contributing to state Democratic parties and cofounding and serving as president of PAC for America\u2019s Future<\/a>, formerly known as Future Now Fund. The group\u2019s purpose, according to IRS filings, is to \u201celect the next generation of American leaders with a focus on state legislatures.\u201d PAC for America\u2019s Future helps fund the States Project<\/a>, a group Pritzker cofounded that focuses on winning and defending blue majorities in state legislatures.<\/p>\n

PAC for America\u2019s Future also maintains a Texas committee, which in 2024 received $2 million<\/a> from investor Jonathan Soros, the son of billionaire financier and Democratic megadonor George Soros.<\/p>\n

Texas Justice Fund<\/p>\n

Amount donated to LSR: $100,000<\/p>\n

Texas Justice Fund<\/a> is a group affiliated with the Lone Star Project, a Democratic political research and communications firm founded in 2005 by strategist Matt Angle. Texas Justice Fund donated $500,000<\/a> to the Texas House Democratic Caucus<\/a> last year around the Texas House Democrats\u2019 walkout over Republicans\u2019 mid-decade redistricting effort. A group called Texas Justice Fund is also registered as a 501(c)(4)<\/a> with the IRS, listing Angle as its president and Lisa Turner \u2014\u00a0a Democratic strategist and wife of state Rep. Chris Turner \u2014\u00a0as its director.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Government That Works PAC<\/p>\n

Amount donated to LSR: $3.75 million<\/p>\n

Government That Works PAC is by far the biggest donor to Lone Star Rising PAC, but that money largely came from undisclosed sources. The group, according to its donation page<\/a>, was \u201cestablished to defeat ineffective and extreme incumbent candidates.\u201d<\/p>\n

The group received $4 million from Sixteen Thirty Fund<\/a> in January, around the time it gave $3.75 million to the pro-Talarico super PAC. Sixteen Thirty Fund is a top Democratic dark money hub that does not have to report its donors. It has previously been associated<\/a> with Swiss billionaire Hansj\u00f6rg Wyss and Democratic megadonor George Soros.<\/p>\n

Government That Works PAC previously received<\/a> $2.9 million from Contours Inc.<\/a>, which was recognized by the IRS<\/a> as a 501(c)(4) nonprofit in October 2025, meaning it does not have to disclose its donors. Contours Inc., according to its website, \u201ceducates voters and advocates for changes that give greater voice and choice to voters from coast to coast.\u201d<\/p>\n

Government That Works PAC also received $300,000 from America Votes<\/a> and $250,000 from Global Impact Social Welfare Fund<\/a> \u2014\u00a0both of which are also dark money groups.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Lone Star Forward Fund Inc.<\/p>\n

Amount donated to LSR: $250,000<\/p>\n

Lone Star Forward Fund Inc., according to its website<\/a>, is a 501(c)(4) nonprofit. The group calls itself a \u201cTexas policy advocacy organization dedicated to educating, engaging and mobilizing communities in support of progressive policies.\u201d<\/p>\n

Sufam Advisors Corp<\/p>\n

Amount donated to LSR: $100,000<\/p>\n

Sufam Advisors Corp is a corporation first registered in Florida in 1992 by Neil Subin, an investment manager at MILFAM<\/a>, a firm managing the assets<\/a> of the descendents of industrialist Lloyd I. Miller Jr.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Stephen Mandel<\/p>\n

Amount donated to LSR: $500,000<\/p>\n

Mandel is a Connecticut billionaire hedge fund manager and major Democratic donor. He sits on the board of directors for Teach for America \u2014\u00a0through which Talarico taught middle school<\/a> in San Antonio for two years \u2014\u00a0and is a supporter of charter schools<\/a>. Mandel previously sat on the board of trustees of the Environmental Defense Fund. He established the Zoom Foundation<\/a> in 2001, a nonprofit that funds environmental, education and democracy-based causes.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Mark Heising<\/p>\n

Amount donated to LSR: $100,000<\/p>\n

Heising is the founder of Medley Partners<\/a>, a San Francisco-based private investment firm. A major Democratic donor<\/a>, Heising holds six U.S. patents in cryptography, compression and data communications.<\/p>\n

Heising serves as chair of the Environmental Defense Fund and as a board member of the Heising-Simons Foundation<\/a>, which works to \u201cadvance sustainable solutions in climate and clean energy, enable groundbreaking research in science, enhance the education of our youngest learners, and support human rights for all people,\u201d according to its website.<\/p>\n

Heising and his wife, Liz Simons, pledged to commit<\/a> most of their wealth to philanthropy in 2016. According to their pledge letter, Heising worked as a chip designer before entering finance.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

David Gochman<\/p>\n

Amount donated to LSR: $100,000<\/p>\n

Gochman is the president and founder of Inclenberg Investments<\/a>, a private investment firm focused on real estate with offices in Florida and Texas. Gochman previously led Academy Sports & Outdoors, a sporting goods company his grandfather founded in San Antonio in 1938. Based in Florida, he has contributed to numerous Democratic<\/a> campaigns, groups and state parties in recent election cycles.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Lisa Primus<\/p>\n

Amount donated to LSR: $500,000<\/p>\n

Primus is a New York physician, philanthropist and active Democratic donor<\/a> who has given $7.7 million largely to Democratic groups and candidates over the years. She funds the Livelihood Impact Fund<\/a>, which \u201cinvests funding and expertise into data driven early stage organizations that strive to meaningfully and durably improve the lives of the global poor,\u201d and served on the boards<\/a> of the Center for Voter Information, the League of Conservation Voters and the Pipeline Initiative, which recruits and supports progressive political candidates.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Simone Coxe<\/p>\n

Amount donated to LSR: $500,000<\/p>\n

Coxe is an Austin philanthropist married to Tench Coxe, a billionaire venture capitalist and longtime board member of Nvidia. Simone Coxe cofounded a public relations firm for the tech industry, and she was the cofounder of CalMatters, a nonprofit news site covering California politics and policy. The couple donated $100 million<\/a> to the University of Texas at Austin\u2019s academic medical center this year. They are part owners of Austin FC.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Don Henley<\/p>\n

Amount donated to LSR: $150,000<\/p>\n

Henley is a Grammy award-winning musician and founding member of The Eagles, which was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1998. He is an East Texas native who has supported numerous Democratic groups and candidates<\/a> this cycle. Henley founded the<\/a> Walden Woods Project in 1990, which \u201cpreserves the land, literature and legacy of Henry David Thoreau to foster an ethic of environmental stewardship and social responsibility,\u201d and the Caddo Lake Institute in East Texas, which focuses on protecting the wetlands area that straddles the Texas-Louisiana border.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Susan Sarofim<\/p>\n

Amount donated to LSR: $100,000<\/p>\n

Sarofim is a Houston businesswoman, philanthropist and widow of billionaire investment manager Fayez Sarofim. She founded a temp agency<\/a> in 1989, owns New Orleans Auction Galleries, and cofounded To Educate All Children, a nonprofit that offers class management programming to Houston and Aldine Independent School District educators.<\/p>\n

William H. Harris<\/p>\n

Amount donated to LSR: $100,000<\/p>\n

Harris is an orthopedic surgeon and the founder of Massachusetts General Hospital\u2019s Harris Orthopedic Lab. He is a regular donor<\/a> to Democratic-aligned groups and candidates.<\/p>\n

Disclosure: Environmental Defense Fund, Simone Coxe and University of Texas at Austin have been financial supporters of The Texas Tribune, a nonprofit, nonpartisan news organization that is funded in part by donations from members, foundations and corporate sponsors. Financial supporters play no role in the Tribune\u2019s journalism. Find a complete\u00a0list of them here<\/a>.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Audio recording is automated for accessibility. Humans wrote and edited the story. See our AI policy, and give…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":294006,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[11],"tags":[132,134,133,2133,2135,3309,1967,287,2424,68193,6588],"class_list":["post-294005","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-austin","tag-austin","tag-austin-headlines","tag-austin-news","tag-democrats","tag-james-talarico","tag-john-cornyn","tag-ken-paxton","tag-politics","tag-republicans","tag-teach-for-america","tag-well-c-homepage"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/294005","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=294005"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/294005\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/294006"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=294005"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=294005"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=294005"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}