Texas Tech Leaders Will Host September 29 Paxton Event
University officials face scrutiny for using professional titles on a fundraiser invitation for Ken Paxton.
Updated on Sept. 24, 2026 in Philanthropy
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Should university officials be permitted to use their official titles to host political fundraisers?
Texas Tech University System leaders Brandon Creighton and Cody Campbell are listed as hosts for a September 29 fundraiser supporting Ken Paxton. The Lubbock County Democratic Party has formally requested clarification on whether this usage of official titles violates university ethics policies.
Why it matters
The controversy centers on whether public positions are being leveraged for partisan political activity. Texas ethics laws prohibit state officials from engaging in actions that conflict with their public duties or the use of university resources to influence elections.
Cody Campbell donated $274,300 to the Paxton Victory fund on June 10, 2026. This financial contribution occurs alongside potential university-related disputes like a $200 million claim in the Big 12 Conference case.
The players
Brandon Creighton
He is the chancellor of the Texas Tech University System.
Cody Campbell
He serves as the chairman of the Texas Tech Board of Regents.
Ken Paxton
He is a political candidate currently running for the U.S. Senate.
Lubbock County Democratic Party
This is a local political organization that is requesting transparency regarding the fundraiser.
James Talarico
He is the candidate opposing Ken Paxton in the upcoming U.S. Senate election.
The details
The Lubbock County Democratic Party highlighted the invitation, which identifies Creighton and Campbell by their professional university titles. Texas Tech policy prohibits the authorization of university funds for election influence, while the Texas Government Code restricts state officials from conflicts of interest regarding their public duties.
Timeline
Cody Campbell was appointed to the Board of Regents in 2021.
Brandon Creighton and Cody Campbell assumed their current leadership roles in November 2025.
Cody Campbell donated $274,300 to Paxton Victory on June 10, 2026.
The fundraising event for Ken Paxton is scheduled for September 29, 2026.
The U.S. Senate election between Ken Paxton and James Talarico will take place in November 2026.
Market Landscape
This controversy follows the enforcement pattern set by the Texas Government Code Chapter 572. It highlights a tension between political engagement and the neutrality standards required of state officials under the statute.
Taxpayers and university stakeholders may see increased scrutiny regarding how institutional titles are utilized in private political spheres. This could lead to stricter internal compliance policies for university leadership at public institutions across the state.
The takeaway
The situation emphasizes the importance of maintaining a clear separation between personal political support and institutional authority. Readers should observe whether the university system updates its ethics training to address the use of professional titles in political correspondence.
Further reading
For more on the intersection of public funding and private influence, visit Texas Philanthropy.
Source note: This article includes information reported by KERA.
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