Amanecer People's Project, an El Paso grassroots group opposed to Meta's data center, has spent almost $30,000 on mailers in three City Council races. The messages do not say who paid for them.
About half of that money went to mailers criticizing El Paso City Rep. Alejandra Chávez, who is seeking reelection to her District 1 seat. The mailers also supported one of her opponents, Matthew Kozik. The materials were paid for through Amanecer's fiscal agent, Ground Game Texas, a nonprofit that supports progressive candidates and causes across Texas. Ground Game Texas is based in Manchaca.
Chávez said she is concerned that people from outside El Paso are "meddling in our local election." "We don't really know who's funding this and what their motivation is," she said. Ana Fuentes, Amanecer's executive director, said the mailers were paid for by El Paso donors. "Our funds have come from small dollar donations from over 500 El Pasoans," Fuentes said.