Paces mailer touts ‘no donor list,’ but a nonprofit that doesn’t disclose donors paid for it

A mailer urging Precinct 2 voters to re-elect Commissioner Rich Paces tells them he is “self-funded” with “no donor list to protect.” The fine print at the bottom says it was paid for by someone else.

The mailer, a copy of which was obtained by The Lead, carries the disclosure “Paid Pol. Ad. LIA Network.” LIA Network, which also goes by We the People – Liberty in Action, is a Kerrville-based nonprofit. As a 501(c)(4) social welfare organization rather than a political action committee, it does not have to tell voters who its donors are.

The mailer arrived as early voting in the Nov. 3 general election opened Monday. Paces, a Republican, faces independent Jeremy Walther in the Precinct 2 race.

What the mailer claims

The last of six reasons the mailer gives to re-elect Paces reads: “Self-funded | No donor list to protect. He answers to YOU.” The mailer also carries an “Endorsed by” badge from We the People – Liberty in Action.

A QR code on the mailer leads to a page on LIA’s website offering documentation for each claim. For the self-funded claim, the page offers none. It says the claim is “operator-sourced” and that campaign finance filings should be checked before relying on it.

The Lead tried to review Paces’ campaign finance reports Monday morning, but the county’s elections website could not be reached securely.

Who is LIA Network

LIA Network was co-founded by Terri Hall and Rachel Vickers. IRS records list Roger Hall of Ingram, Terri Hall’s husband, as its principal officer.

The group files the IRS Form 990-N, a short annual notice for small tax-exempt organizations whose gross receipts are normally $50,000 or less. The form reports no revenue, expenses or donors.

LIA has spent heavily in past elections on voter guides promoting favored Republican candidates, a strategy that has proven effective with Republican primary voters but less so in general and nonpartisan elections. Its 2026 general election voter guide is posted on its website.

What the law requires

Under the Texas Election Code, a group that spends more than $160 on its own to support a candidate must file a direct campaign expenditure report. That report discloses the spending, not the donors.

If a campaign coordinates with a group on a mailer, the cost counts as a contribution to the candidate. Texas law generally prohibits corporations, including nonprofit corporations, from contributing to candidates.

Early voting

Early voting runs through Friday, Oct. 30. Election Day is Tuesday, Nov. 3. Voters may cast a ballot at any early voting location in Kerr County during early voting and must bring an acceptable photo ID.

This story will be updated.

Disclosure: Walther owns Pint & Plow Brewing Co., which hosted The Lead Live for five years. His campaign has purchased advertising in The Lead’s newsletters.