Billionaire George Soros gives $500,000 to oppose Austin police measure
Austin’s battle over a police staffing ballot measure has a new heavyweight entering the ring: billionaire financier and Democratic Party activist George Soros.
In a bombshell announcement that threatens to shake up the Nov. 2 election, a political action committee opposed to Proposition A which if passed would require the city to hire hundreds of police officers says it has accepted a $500,000 donation from Soros.
The 91-year-old Soros, of New York, is known for supporting liberal political causes. His net worth is estimated at $8.6 billion, according to Forbes. Soros has made it a recent focus to target elected prosecutors he sees as too punitive on crime. His involvement in last year’s Travis County district attorney’s race helped lift Jose Garza to victory over incumbent Margaret Moore.
Soros’ son, Jonathan Soros, also has recently been involved in Austin elections, contributing $25,000 earlier this year to a PAC that tried but failed to move the city to a strong mayor form of government.