Donor to Rick Perry: I Want My $5M Back

Super PAC members aren't sure they can recoup the cash for contributors
By Jenn Gidman,  Newser Staff
Posted Sep 15, 2015 11:12 AM CDT
Donor to Rick Perry: I Want My $5M Back
Ex-presidential candidate Rick Perry prepares to speak at the Eagle Council XLIV, sponsored by the Eagle Forum in St. Louis Friday.   (AP Photo/Sid Hastings)

Rick Perry may have thought he could just drop out of the presidential race and ride off into the Texas sunset, but some supporters of the Perry-supporting Opportunity and Freedom PAC are asking an important question as his 10-gallon hat disappears over the horizon: Can we get our money back? The PAC had as much as $13 million in the bank when Perry made his exit, and one donor in particular, Lone Star State tycoon Darwin Deason, would like to recoup his $5 million, his son, Doug, tells Politico.

Austin Barbour, a high-ranking leader of the PAC, is consulting with the PAC's lawyers about what's possible, and there's little precedent to guide the group: Few super PACs have had this much cash after a candidate has dropped out, Politico notes. But Doug Deason is confident his dad will have his $5 million back soon, telling the site, "We have made it clear we expect the PAC to shut down and send the funds back. Austin is just being cautious to make sure it is all done properly and legally." (More Rick Perry stories.)

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