Homebuilder donates to '08 election
October 31st, 2008 Bob Perry of Perry Homes has become a political force to be reckoned with in the 2008 elections, and he's not even running for office. Instead, Perry has been donating money to various candidates... But Perry hasn’t only given funds to Davis.  This year, statewide, the homebuilder has given approximately $175,000 to Democrats, and $2.6 million dollars to Republicans and related committees. ..View video report

Houston homebuilder donates millions to 2008 election

October 31, 2008
Lee McGuire / 11 News

HOUSTON – Former Clear Creek schoolteacher Sherrie Matula is running for the Texas House. She said her team has knocked on over 20,000 doors during the campaign.

But just this month, her opponent overtook her in fundraising. This is because Houston homebuilder Bob Perry decided to pump big bucks into the campaign of the incumbent Republican John Davis.

Bob Perry of Perry Homes has become a political force to be reckoned with in the 2008 elections, and he’s not even running for office.  Instead, Perry has been donating money to various candidates.  

So far, he has given Davis $57,500 during this election cycle, with $40,000 of it coming in the last three weeks.

But Perry hasn’t only given funds to Davis.  This year, statewide, the homebuilder has given approximately $175,000 to Democrats, and $2.6 million dollars to Republicans and related committees.

So what's in it for him?

“I think like all Texans, we have an expectation of good government, good jobs, better schools, and less government interference," said Anthony Holmes, spokesperson for Bob Perry.

Perry's spokesperson said that the homebuilder supported more Republicans simply because there are more of them in office, and they've handled the economy well.

Clear Lake activist John Cobarruvias thinks Perry donates the money for another reason.

"Bob Perry thinks we're idiots," said Cobarruvias.

Cobarruvias thinks Perry donated the money to help block an attempt to shut down the "Texas Residential Construction Commission." The commission is a builder regulation agency set up to help homeowners, but critics have said it really exists to shield homebuilders from lawsuits.

This year, another state agency recommended abolishing the commission.  In their report, they wrote that "without true regulation designed to ensure public protection, Texans are better served without the Texas Residential Construction Commission."

"That commission is protecting his builder buddie. What he's doing is making sure that all the people on the sunset commission and all the people in his district, like his state representative and his state senator, are funded by him. This way he can get his votes the way he wants to get them," said Cobarruvias.

Holmes disagrees with Cobarruvias.

"You have roughly 20 million voters in Texas. No individual can impact it in this fashion," said Holmes.

"And when you take your money from just a few people, then you tend not to represent all the people in your district," said Matula.

News 11 tried to reach the incumbent, Republican John Davis, but he has not returned our calls.

As for the Residential Construction Commission, Perry's spokesperson said he supports its intent, but would also support abolishing the agency, if that's what lawmakers decide.
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