The House Ethics Committee has announced that it will be investigating allegations that U.S. Reps. Ronny Jackson and Wesley Hunt misused campaign funds for personal use. The independent Office of Congressional Ethics found that both Republican congressmen used thousands of dollars of campaign funds to pay for expenses at private social clubs in Texas. These allegations have prompted a review by the bipartisan House Ethics Committee.
According to reports from the Office of Congressional Ethics, Ronny Jackson’s campaign committee, Texans for Ronny Jackson, made payments totaling nearly $12,000 to the Amarillo Club between 2020 and 2024. These payments were for dues, fees, meals, and other expenses related to the exclusive dining club, gym, and meeting room in Amarillo, Texas. The OCE found “substantial reason to believe” that Jackson converted campaign funds for personal use.
In a separate report, the OCE revealed that Wesley Hunt’s campaign committee paid over $5,400 to the Oak Room, a private club located in Houston’s Post Oak Hotel, in 2022 and 2023. The OCE also found “substantial reason to believe” that Hunt misused campaign funds for personal expenses. Hunt’s attorneys maintain that all payments to the Post Oak Hotel were for campaign-related purposes and not for personal use.
Wesley Hunt’s legal team issued a 12-page response to the OCE report, denying any wrongdoing and stating that the campaign funds were used exclusively for campaign-related expenses. They argued that using the Oak Room membership fees was a more practical use of funds than renting a campaign office in Houston. Hunt’s spokesperson expressed confidence that the investigation would be dismissed soon.
The House Ethics Committee received referrals from the OCE regarding Jackson and Hunt in late March. The committee, led by Chairman Michael Guest and ranking member Susan Wild, decided to review the matter on May 9. Both congressmen are accused of violating House rules, standards of conduct, and federal law by potentially using campaign funds for personal expenses.
The OCE reports indicated that neither Jackson nor Hunt fully cooperated with the investigations. While Hunt initially provided some limited information, both congressmen were recommended for subpoenas by the OCE. Jackson, who previously served as the White House physician under Presidents Obama and Trump, has faced similar allegations in the past regarding campaign fund misuse.
The allegations against Ronny Jackson and Wesley Hunt highlight the importance of maintaining transparency and accountability in campaign finance. Misusing campaign funds for personal use undermines the public’s trust in elected officials and raises serious ethical concerns. The House Ethics Committee’s review of these allegations will determine the appropriate course of action and ensure that any violations are addressed accordingly.
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