By James Thompson

 

According to Project Vote Smart, Houstonian Stuart Stedman is second on the list of highest contributors to the political campaign of Greg Abbott with a contribution of $200,000. He is tied with Kenny A. Troutt who also contributed $200,000.

 

According to a Houston Chronicle article, Stedman grew up in the wealthiest neighborhood in Houston, River Oaks and still resides there. He attended River Oaks elementary school according to the article and Kinkaid High School. Kinkaid is well known in Houston to be a college prep school for the wealthiest Houstonians. Various articles indicate that Stedman contributed $1 million to the University of Texas. According to BusinessWeek, Mr. Stedman is the president of Stedman West, Inc. The Stedman West, Inc. according to their website is “A family investment office responsible for the management of the assets of the Stedman and Wesley West families.”

 

Kenny A. Troutt according to Forbes magazine has a net worth of $1.5 billion. He owns one of the most expensive homes in the Dallas area at about $16.7 million according to D magazine. He was ranked 25th on the list of the Center for Responsive Politics’ list of top individual political contributors according to Forbes magazine.

 

Troutt is a major Republican donor, and has contributed to American Crossroads, Rick Perry, and Rick Santorum. Troutt’s son, Preston, has also donated to Republican Party candidates. American Crossroads was cofounded by the notorious Karl Rove and is a Republican Super PAC. Gov. Rick Perry is the current Republican governor of Texas who is well-known for his thinly veiled references to Texas seceding from the union. He recently called out 1000 National Guard troops and sent them to the Texas Mexico border in high drama. Rick Santorum is a notorious right-wing Republican Sen. from Pennsylvania who ran for and lost the Republican nomination for president.

 

Voters in Texas should connect the dots from the various financial contributions and political affiliations of Greg Abbott before casting their ballot in November.