Wichita Falls Candidates File Final Finance Reports
Local candidates have submitted their campaign fundraising and expenditure data ahead of the November 3 election.
Updated on Oct. 30, 2026 in Elections
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Candidates for office in Wichita Falls have filed their mandatory campaign finance reports reflecting activity from the latest reporting periods. These filings provide voters with a final look at the financial status of each campaign before the general election.
Why it matters
The Texas Ethics Commission mandates these filings eight days before an election to ensure transparency in local governance. This allows the public to evaluate the financial backing behind each candidate before heading to the polls.
Tim Short led the field with $30,093 in contributions, while David Coleman and Scott Poenitzsch reported $8,600 and $3,000 respectively. Candidates with activity under the $1,140 modified reporting threshold are not required to disclose detailed spending.
The players
Tim Short
He is a candidate currently running for a local office in the upcoming municipal election.
David Coleman
He is a candidate for local office who has disclosed outstanding campaign loans totaling $13,000.
Texas Ethics Commission
This state agency oversees and regulates the financial disclosure requirements for political candidates in Texas.
Scott Poenitzsch
He is a local political candidate who submitted finance reports documenting $3,000 in contributions.
Cathy Dodson
She is a local candidate who opted to file modified campaign finance reports indicating minimal financial activity.
The details
Candidates disclosed their total contributions, expenditures, and outstanding loans to the city government. While most candidates provided detailed breakdowns of their financial activity, Cathy Dodson filed under the modified reporting rule, and Wesley Stancliff reported no activity.
Timeline
Most candidates filed reports covering the period from September 25 through October 24, 2026.
David Coleman submitted filings covering the period from October 4 through October 24, 2026.
Early voting concludes in the city on October 31, 2026.
General Election Day is scheduled for November 3, 2026.
Political Context
Local election finance rules are driven by the Texas Ethics Commission campaign filing requirements to ensure transparency. Opposition groups often point to outstanding loan totals as potential leverage points for special interests during the final days of a race.
These disclosures allow residents to understand how much money is being poured into the local political landscape. By reviewing these figures, voters can determine which campaigns are self-funded versus those reliant on outside contributions.
The takeaway
Voters should examine the balance between total contributions and outstanding loans to understand a candidate's financial health. Transparency in campaign spending is a vital tool for assessing the independence of local officials.
What happens next
General Election Day is set for November 3, 2026, at which point the final results will be tabulated.
Further reading
For more information on the current municipal race, visit the Wichita Falls Elections section.
More information
Residents can review the full city candidate campaign finance reports on the official government portal.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Wichita Falls Times Record News.
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