TEXAS— An undercover video obtained and released by Townhall has sparked political controversy in Texas after Sky McAdams, identified as an organizer for the Texas Majority PAC, described a program that offers $25 to participants for attending a one-hour Zoom session.
In the video, McAdams claims the sessions aim to explain to
participants the importance of voting and present critical arguments against
Republicans. The organizer described the mechanism as an “indirect way of
paying for votes” and acknowledged that it is not possible to give money
directly to a person in exchange for voting for a specific candidate.
According to the Townhall report, the program is called a
“paid relational program” and is operated by the firm Relentless through the Rally
platform. The strategy involves working with voters and then mobilizing them to
contact family and friends.
Campaign finance records cited by Townhall show that Texas
Majority PAC reported a $500,000 payment to Relentless in July for a
relationship organizing program.
The program is related to efforts to mobilize Democratic
voters in Texas, as James Talarico, a Democratic candidate for the U.S. Senate,
seeks the seat up for grabs in November.
However, Texas Majority PAC denied that the program's
objective is to buy votes. A spokesperson stated that participants are paid for
political organizing work and asserted that McAdams misrepresented the program.
The organization also noted that the official was fired.
For now, the video constitutes an accusation and a statement
attributed to a former organizer, while the PAC maintains that McAdams'
description does not reflect the program's actual operation.
The case continues to generate reactions in Texas as the
November elections approach.