Texas Governor Greg Abbott ditching $1,000 from white supremacist that inspired Dylann Roof

Gov. Greg Abbott Gov. Greg Abbott Photo: Ron Jenkins /Associated Press Photo: Ron Jenkins /Associated Press Image 1 of / 33 Caption Close Texas Governor Greg Abbott ditching $1,000 from white supremacist that inspired Dylann Roof 1 / 33 Back to Gallery

AUSTIN – Gov. Greg Abbott is quickly getting rid of $1,000 that he received from the head of a white supremacist group apparently cited online by the man accused of killing nine black people who were gathered at a South Carolina church last week.

Abbott got a $500 donation in 2013 and another $500 in 2014 from Earl Holt III, who founded the Council of Conservative Citizens, according to state campaign contribution records.

Dylann Roof, the 21-year-old charged in the killings at the Charleston Emanual AME Church in Charleston, is credited with an online manifesto that cited the group.

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Abbott is donating the $1,000 from Holt to the Salvation Army in Austin. A spokesman said the check was cut Monday morning.

Abbott spent tens of millions of dollars in the race for governor against former state Sen. Wendy Davis.

Holt has also donated to Republican presidential candidates including U.S. Ted Cruz of Texas, former U.S. Sen. Rick Santorum and U.S. Sen. Rand Paul of Kentucky.

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Cruz's campaign initially told the New York Times he would return donations from Holt. But Cruz spokesman Rick Tyler said Monday that the senator's campaign had decided to instead give the money to a charity for the victims of the church shooting. The total, initially put at $8,500, was identified as $11,000.

"Upon learning Mr. Holt's background, Sen. Cruz made an immediate decision to return his contributions. However after reflection, he decided that the best use of that money would not be to return it but instead use it to help support the families of victims from the Charleston shooting, so a donation in the amount of $11,000 will be made to the Mother Emanuel Hope Fund, established by Charleston Mayor Joe Riley. Senator Cruz's continued prayers are with those impacted by this horrific attack," Tyler said.

Others who said they'd return money or make donations included state Sen. Konni Burton, R-Colleyville; Rep. David Simpson, R- Longview; and Texas Supreme Court Justice Jeff Brown.

Simpson said by telephone that he would return money from Holt, whose contribution lists Longview as his address. He gave Simpson soem $1,250, including $500 in 2013.

In addition, Simpson said he personally would make a donation to help the South Carolina church and affected families.

"I don't know the man that well. He has supported me. I just don't agree with, at least, the comments I've read," said Simpson, who is aiming for state Senate. "I believe we are all made in God's image ... I don't want to have anything to do with running down other people, other races."

Burton said in a statement, "I will be personally donating $750 to a charity or local Charleston church to provide assistance to the families affected by this horrific violent act."

Justin Dudley, Brown's consultant, said his campaign is donating last year's $250 donation to the Wounded Warrior Project. The donation was made in response to a large direct-mail appeal, Dudley said.

Twitter: @pfikac

pfikac@express-news.net

Houston Chronicle reporter Kevin Diaz contributed to this report.