Investment group affiliated with the desert-named entity contributes $100,000 to the elections for the city council in a nearby Dallas district.
Uncovering the Texas Elections' Hidden Stake
Blurred lines on political funding have once again raised suspicion, as a covert force with links to a global casino giant has poured close to $100k into a local City Council race.
Peeking into the Texas Ethics Commission's database, we found the Lone Star Conservative Action Fund - seemingly knitted with the Las Vegas Sands Corporation – splashing $93,430.36 on candidates Priscilla Vigliante, Tony Grimes, and David Pfaff. Over the course of July 2024 to April 2025, these council hopefuls expended a combined sum of $74,391.50, making the conservative fund's backing a significant boost to their campaigns.
You might wonder about the fund's spending patterns; the records show a series of payments to Gear & Lever Consulting, LLC, for "Advertising Expense" claims.
Examining individual spending, Vigliante forked out around $9,044, Grimes about $3,886, and Pfaff splurged approximately $61,460 between the same period, based on their campaign reports.
A Closer Look at the Lone Star Conservative Action Fund
The Lone Star Conservative Action Fund is no newcomer to the scene, having surfaced in October 2023 as a 501(c)(4) entity – known for keeping its donors under wraps. Directing the ship for this secretive fund is Aaron De Leon, who also helms Leon Strategies, a consulting firm entangled in Republican campaigns, and a key player connecting the dots between the fund and the Las Vegas Sands Corporation[1][4].
Embracing the Vegas Giant
The Lone Star Conservative Action Fund seems to have formed a bond with the Las Vegas Sands Corporation through Leon Strategies. The latter has pocketed $25,000 from the Texas for Opportunity and Prosperity PAC, a body backed by Las Vegas Sands[2][4]. Furthermore, Leon Strategies keeps a close tab on the Texas Destination Resort Alliance on social media, a group that aligns itself with Las Vegas Sands and champions casino development[1][2].
The $100k Gamble
This enigmatic fund's latest investment of $100,000 into Irving's City Council race has stoked concern among the populace, given the city's rejection of a casino rezoning proposal associated with the Las Vegas Sands[3][4]. Critics posit this injection as an effort to sway election results in favor of supporters more inclined to back future casino developments[1][2].
Charting the Political Course
Las Vegas Sands had once floated a high-intensity mixed-use development plan in Irving – one with casino ambitions. community backlash forced them to scrap the gamble on casinos[1]. However, the resurfacing of the Lone Star Conservative Action Fund revives queries regarding future casino initiatives in the area[2][3]. Seen as part of a broader strategy by casino-aligned groups to hold sway over local politics even post initial setbacks[1][2].
- The Lone Star Conservative Action Fund, a 501(c)(4) entityInfamous for hiding its donors, has a financial relationship with the Las Vegas Sands Corporation.
- The Lone Star Conservative Action Fund, under the leadership of Aaron De Leon, directing the ship for this secretive fund, has strong ties with Leon Strategies, a consulting firm known for its involvement in Republican campaigns.
- Leveraging these connections, the Lone Star Conservative Action Fund was able to channel $100,000 into Irving's City Council race, leading to concerns that the fund is manipulating the election results to support candidates more open to future casino developments.
- As Irving had previously rejected a casino rezoning proposal linked to the Las Vegas Sands, critics view the $100k investment by the Lone Star Conservative Action Fund as an attempt to influence politics in the city and pave the way for future casino initiatives.
