Democratic Party sues Bonnen, CEO over their meeting
The Texas Democratic Party is suing House Speaker Dennis Bonnen and Empower Texans CEO Michael Quinn Sullivan over a meeting the two held last month, alleging that the pair violated state election laws and requesting that a secret audio recording of the conversation be made public.
The lawsuit, filed in state District Court in Travis County on Thursday, comes two days after Bonnen, R-Angelton, apologized for meeting with Sullivan, a conservative foe who says Bonnen made insulting remarks about two Democratic House members and named 10 fellow Republicans who should be targeted in the 2020 primary elections.
Sullivan accused Bonnen of offering media credentials to staff at Empower Texans affiliate Texas Scorecard and of encouraging the group, which has given millions of dollars in campaign contributions to conservative candidates, to oppose the 10 Republicans, who are largely moderates.
Democrats allege that the meeting between Bonnen, Sullivan and Republican Caucus Chairman Dustin Burrows, R-Lubbock, violated state laws that require those who direct the activities of a political action committee to disclose their involvement and that bar lawmakers from negotiating campaign contributions at the Capitol.
“The meeting between Sullivan, the Speaker and Rep. Burrows amounted to a coordination meeting between political actors intended to influence the election or defeat of specific candidates,” the lawsuit reads.
The offer of media credentials in exchange for political advocacy is another potential violation of law, the Democrats allege. Texas Scorecard has long sought media credentials in the House, which would give its staff members more access to lawmakers as they debate and vote on legislation. Empower Texans’ requests for the credentials have been denied in the past because of the group’s political activism.
“Offering the granting of public benefits in a scheme to support the election or defeat of a candidate for public office, as was reportedly done here, is also illegal under state law and itself is a campaign finance law violation,” the lawsuit reads, in reference to the alleged quid pro quo Bonnen offered Sullivan.
The alleged activity also violated state law because it took place June 12 at the Capitol Building and during the Legislature’s fundraising moratorium, which began when the Legislature convened in January and ended June 17.
Texas Democratic Party Chair Gilberto Hinojosa said in a statement that the party filed the lawsuit to hold both Sullivan and “coconspirator” Bonnen accountable for the potential election code violations.
“Texans are fed up with back-room deals and unaccountable politicians who put the pursuit of power over everything,” Hinojosa said. “These accounts of Speaker Bonnen and Republican Chair Burrows’ comments show they don’t give a damn about the needs of Texans or the respect due to their fellow members elected by the people.”
State Rep. Ana Maria Ramos, D-Richardson, joined the state Democratic Party in filing the complaint.
“Texans deserve to know exactly what happened on June 12, 2019, and they deserve accountability from their elected officials,” Ramos said in a statement. “As a member of the Texas House of Representatives, entrusted by the people of the 102nd District, it is my duty to fight in the best interest of everyday Texans, not the powerful, wealthy or well-connected.”
The lawsuit comes a day after House lawmakers announced plans to investigate the allegations against Bonnen. State Rep. Morgan Meyer, a Dallas Republican who chairs the House General Investigating Committee, said in a letter that he hopes a public hearing planned for next week will bring “transparency, information, access and accountability to this matter.”