Fate Recall PAC: Ex-Mayor Funds Political Consultant

FATE, Texas — Former Fate Mayor David Billings has reported contributing $2,999.55 to a Fate Recall PAC, (NBCS PAC) to pay for political consulting services supporting the recall of Fate’s mayor and three city council members, according to a campaign finance report filed with the Texas Ethics Commission on October 26.

The eight day campaign finance report identifies the “in-kind” contribution as a payment to JKL Political Strategies for consulting in support of Fate Propositions A, B, C and D. (Interestingly, the Campaign Finance report incorrectly references JKL Political Strategies, when the actual Firm is JLK Political Strategies). The contribution was dated October 14, placing a dollar figure on the political operation seeking to reshape Fate’s city government just days before the November 3 election.

Billings is the PAC’s campaign treasurer, according to the filing, which covers activity from October 2 through October 24. He is also a former mayor of Fate who chose not to run for a 2nd term and now portrays himself as the “retired mayor”.

The Campaign Finance Report also lists $660 in unitemized monetary contributions. But it does not identify the individual donors behind that $660 in the A1 schedule as typically does.

For residents being asked to remove four elected officials, the money behind the campaign deserves scrutiny that Mr. Billings refuses to disclose.

Nearly $3,000 for Political Consulting

Schedule A2 of the report lists Billings as the contributor of $2,999.55 in nonmonetary, or in-kind, political support. The description is unusually direct: “Payment to JKL Political Strategies for PAC Consulting in Support of Fate Props A-D.”

The situation is rather, odd. He didn’t donate the money to his PAC and then expense the money to the consultant. Instead, he paid the consultant directly, but reported it as an “in kind” donation to his own PAC. Why?

JLK Political Strategies describes itself as a Republican political consulting firm offering campaign strategy, communications and related political services. Its website promotes work in elections, public affairs and communications. The firm’s published materials describe its approach as “Bold Strategy. Hard Hits. Real Wins.”

The report does not spell out which specific consulting services were provided, whether the work included the text messages sent to Fate residents, or how the $2,999.55 was allocated among the four propositions. Those details remain questions for the committee and the consultant.

Still, the filing establishes a direct financial connection: Billings reported paying the consulting firm for work supporting the recall campaign. Apparently, from his own personal checkbook. That’s a real commitment to effecting a change in Fate leadership.

Accountability Applies to Political Committees, Too

NBCS PAC has sent text messages urging Fate residents to vote yes on all four recall propositions. The messages identify the PAC as the payer and state that the communications were not authorized by any candidate or candidate’s committee. Perhaps the chosen method of contribution was a mechanism to hide the influence of a high dollar political consultant from those receiving the text messages?

None of the facts, standing alone, establishes wrongdoing. But they do give voters a clearer view of the operation behind the political messages arriving on their phones and the signs appearing around town.

Political committees have every right to participate in public debate, subject to the law. Citizens have an equally legitimate interest in knowing who is financing those efforts and what their money supports.

Billings’ role as treasurer and chief contributor to the PAC now makes him a central figure in understanding NBCS PAC’s financial activity and influence on the election in Fate, TX.

Pipkins Reports will continue examining NBCS PAC’s campaign finance disclosures and the people and organizations involved in Fate’s recall campaign. Residents deserve a full accounting of the money behind an effort to change their city government.

Sources: Texas Ethics Commission, NBCS PAC General Purpose Committee Campaign Finance Report, filer ID 00091285, filed October 26, 2026, particularly Schedule A2 on page 5 and Schedule F1 on page 6; Texas Ethics Commission campaign finance search; JLK Political Strategies.