Texans give more money to Colbert's PAC than to Romney's

WASHINGTON - How popular is comedian Stephen Colbert's semi-serious Super PAC, Americans for a Better Tomorrow, Tomorrow?

In Texas, it's more popular that Mitt Romney's leading Super PAC.

Federal Election Commission records examined by the Houston Chronicle indicate more Texans have donated to Americans for a Better Tomorrow, Tomorrow than to the pro-Romney Restore Our Future.

Colbert, a popular TV satirist, created Americans for a Better Tomorrow, Tomorrow as a means of educating his cable audience on how Super PACs could affect the 2012 presidential election.

Donating twice

Houston resident Rebecca Stewart is the among the Texas donors. She says she decided to donate not because she was a fan of Colbert's Comedy Central, but because she was upset with the Supreme Court's ruling that led to the Super PAC craze.

The Supreme Court decision "just opened the doors for election to be bought and sold," said Stewart, who has made two donations of $250 since the Colbert Super PAC began. Colbert "took something complicated and brought it to a level where they show what it is and how it works and what a Super PAC can be."

$6,716 from Texans

By the end of January, Americans for a Better Tomorrow, Tomorrow raised $1,044,615 - $6,716 from individuals citing a Texas address.

While the amount raised by the Colbert Super PAC is dwarfed by the tens of millions of dollars presidential campaigns have received, it did better than Romney's Super PAC in Texas, with 17 donors over $200 compared to Restore Our Future's 15.

"I think (Colbert) has a large fan base and a lot of younger educated people feel the same way," said Lauren Schmied, another Houston resident who contributed $250 to the Colbert Super PAC. "I think a lot of people are waiting to donate."

Mary Boyle, a spokesperson for Common Cause, a nonpartisan campaign reform advocacy group, said the number of Colbert donors was "significant" and speaks to the Super PAC's success in educating millions.

"I think he has played a role in helping to raise that awareness," Boyle said.

emily.wilkins@chron.com