Energy PAC With No Funds Backs Stickland

A political action committee that supports energy producers has apparently pushed all of its funds toward Rep. Jonathan Stickland’s re-election campaign.

Unfortunately for Stickland, R-Bedford, that may calculate to $0. In its two campaign filings, which measure activity through December, the group reported neither collecting nor donating any money. 

On Friday, the Texas Petroleum PAC said it had “reiterated” its support for Stickland after initially endorsing him this month. That came just one day after the Texas Oil and Gas PAC — the political arm of the state’s largest petroleum group — said it was backing Andy Cargile, the former high school principal who is challenging Stickland in the primary.

Cargile’s campaign called the Texas Oil and Gas PAC endorsement “embarrassing” for Stickland, considering his industry ties.

In a news release, however, Joseph DeWoody, president of Fort Worth-based Clear Fork Royalty and identified as Texas Petroleum PAC’s chairman, said “everyone in our industry knows Stickland will continue to be one of energy’s strongest advocates.”

DeWoody, who could not immediately be reached Friday, told the San Antonio Express-News last week that his group has yet to solicit funds, but will do so soon.

“We’ve all been attending to our businesses,” he said, according to the paper.

Michael Dawson, a partner at the Fort Worth law firm Dawson Parrish, is listed as the PAC's treasurer. He did not immediately return a message.