By RJ Morales | TX3DNews
The first major fundraising reports in Texas’ 3rd Congressional District show a competitive race between incumbent Rep. Keith Self (R) and Democratic challenger Evan Hunt, a retired Air Force lieutenant colonel.
According to Federal Election Commission (FEC) filings through June 30, 2025, both campaigns have raised nearly identical amounts. Self reported $118,805 in total receipts, while Hunt reported $118,089. The difference is less than $1,000. But while the totals are close, the sources of that money point to two very different campaign strategies.
Hunt Highlights Grassroots Energy
Hunt’s campaign leans heavily on small-dollar contributions, with many donors giving under $200. He told TX3DNews this kind of support shows community momentum.
“Grassroots, small donor donations are the ultimate indicator of real support,” Hunt said. “It’s more impressive than a few big checks from the powers that be.”
To boost his early fundraising, Hunt also loaned his campaign $50,000 of personal funds. While such loans are not unusual, they raise questions about sustainability. Hunt framed the loan as proof of commitment.
“The loan was a serious commitment for my family, but it shows we’re putting everything on the line to win this race.”
Geography of Donations
Hunt’s donor list extends beyond Texas, with contributions reported from California, New York, and Massachusetts. Much of the Massachusetts activity, however, is tied to ActBlue, the Democratic fundraising platform headquartered there.
“ActBlue may list donations as Massachusetts, but in reality most come from Texas — 682 so far, compared to just 24 from Massachusetts,” Hunt explained.
Hunt emphasized that Texans, who contributed more than 52% of total contributions from around the country, remain the backbone of his campaign.
“We’re proud of the strong backing we’ve received in TX-03 and across Texas,” he said.
Self Leans on PACs and High-Dollar Donors
Self, first elected in 2022, reported raising virtually the same amount as Hunt but through a different mix of donors. His filings show a combination of large individual donations and substantial political action committee (PAC) support.
PAC donors include Dell Technologies PAC, Chevron Employees PAC, RTX (Raytheon) Employees PAC, and the House Freedom Fund, which backs members of the conservative Freedom Caucus.
On the individual side, Self’s contributors include Dallas billionaire Andrew Beal ($7,000), Frisco auto dealer Pat Lobb ($7,000), and Tesla and SpaceX CEO Elon Musk ($6,600). These maximum or near-maximum donations helped him quickly amass totals comparable to Hunt’s.
But unlike Hunt, Self reported very little in small-dollar, unitemized contributions. That means his campaign shows limited grassroots participation, with most of his strength coming from high-dollar checks and PACs.
Out-of-State Support
Self’s filings also show a heavy reliance on donors outside Texas. Nearly two-thirds of his itemized money came from out of state, including Virginia, Washington, D.C., and California. Within Texas, his donor base is concentrated in Plano, Frisco, and McKinney. Reports show little evidence of contributions from Hunt County or the rural counties that were added to TX-03 after redistricting.
For an incumbent representing a North Texas district, the pattern raises questions about how much of his support comes from constituents versus national networks.
Self’s campaign did not respond to TX3DNews’ request for comment.
A Deliberate Contrast
One of the clearest distinctions is in PAC support. Hunt has reported no PAC contributions, which he said was deliberate.
“We’ve focused on grassroots contributions first, while Rep. Self relies heavily on PACs and large-dollar checks.”
Hunt said he might accept PAC donations later in the cycle, but only from organizations aligned with his values, such as groups supporting veterans or workers.
Cash on Hand
Despite raising almost the same amount as Hunt, Self holds a stronger financial position. He reported $167,682 in cash on hand, compared to Hunt’s $82,981. The difference reflects Self’s slower spending and gives him more flexibility moving forward.
The Bottom Line
The filings show two campaigns with similar totals but different sources of support. Hunt is relying on grassroots donors, small-dollar enthusiasm, and his own financial investment. Self is drawing on national PACs, wealthy benefactors, and significant out-of-state support, with limited evidence of small-dollar backing from everyday TX-03 residents.
For voters, the reports are more than numbers. They highlight the coalitions each candidate is building, the networks they rely on, and the choices that could shape the 2026 race.
Disclosure: TX3DNews is an independent, nonpartisan outlet. We review campaign finance filings and cover campaign events for both parties in TX-03 and Collin County.
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