East Texas state Senate race draws spotlight after nearly $2 million donation to first-time candidate

In what appears to be one of the largest contributions in a Texas legislative primary this election cycle, Rhonda Ward, a first-time candidate for the state Senate, has received nearly $2 million from James Moyer, a conservative East Texas businessman with a background in technology hardware.

Moyer, a Sabine County resident, has provided almost all of Ward’s campaign funding, enabling her to compete against seasoned lawmakers in the race for the Senate seat that covers East Texas cities including Nacogdoches, Orange, and Palestine. The seat has been held for years by Sen. Robert Nichols, a Jacksonville Republican who announced his retirement in June 2025. State Rep. Trent Ashby, a Lufkin Republican and Nichols’ preferred successor, announced his candidacy the same day.

Before Moyer’s contributions, Ward, a Nacogdoches real estate professional and rancher, had relatively modest fundraising. By the end of 2025, Moyer’s donations totaled $1.96 million, representing over 90% of Ward’s $2.14 million total campaign funds. She described the donations as “conditionless.” “I think people are really trying to attach strings to it, and there are no strings attached,” Ward told The Texas Tribune. “He has not asked me one thing about any type of vote on anything.”

Moyer, who was born and raised in Southeast Texas and now lives in Hemphill, co-founded Monolithic Power Systems in 1997 and retired from its board in 2024. The company provides equipment for data centers and has operations across Asia, including China, though there are no reports of Monolithic building facilities in East Texas. In a statement through the Ward campaign, Moyer said, “I support Rhonda Ward because I want to see a conservative Senator in this seat before I die.”

The donation has raised questions about potential influence in Texas politics, particularly because the state has no limits on campaign contributions for state offices. Historically, large individual donations are more common for high-profile statewide races. Gov. Greg Abbott, for example, has received multimillion-dollar contributions from wealthy supporters in recent cycles, including more than $2.2 million from oil tycoon S. Javaid Anwar. Down-ballot races typically see fewer contributions of this scale, though there are exceptions, such as Tim Dunn giving over $1 million to state House Republican Shelley Luther in 2020.

Ward previously served on the State Republican Executive Committee and met Moyer at a party event. She has signed the Take Texas Back pledge, supported by the Texas Nationalist Movement, which calls for measures including allowing voters to decide on secession. Ward has emphasized her identity as a “faithful U.S. citizen and proud MAGA Republican,” stating she believes Texans should have the right to vote on secession but would not advocate for it herself.

Ashby, Ward’s main competitor, has not signed the pledge and has focused his campaign on property taxes, water, and public safety. He has criticized the size of Moyer’s donation, calling it a potential point of concern for voters. “This Senate seat should reflect the will of the voters, not the influence of one wealthy donor,” Ashby wrote in a campaign email.

Both campaigns have also engaged in debate over local data center projects. The Messenger-News reported that Moyer’s company and its connections to AI and data centers in Asia were circulating among residents concerned about a proposed Lufkin project. Ward described these claims as misinformation, noting that neither she nor Moyer discussed her potential votes on any related topic. Conversely, Ashby has received donations from individuals with ties to local data center development, including $36,000 from Lufkin Mayor Mark Hicks, who is involved in a proposal to convert a former paper mill into a data center. Ashby said he has no direct involvement in the project.

As the March primary approaches, the race for the East Texas Senate seat has drawn attention for its unprecedented individual contribution and the potential policy implications tied to both candidates’ networks. Ward’s newfound financial resources have allowed her to expand her campaign presence, while Ashby continues to leverage institutional support and in-kind contributions.

The outcome of the race will offer insight into the role of large individual donations in Texas legislative contests, as well as the priorities of East Texas voters as they weigh experience, funding, and local issues in choosing a new state senator.