Steve Mostyn

Steve Mostyn, a Texas trial lawyer and one of the nation’s leading Democratic donors, who spent a fortune in a long effort to turn his reliably red home state blue, died on Wednesday November 15 2017 at his home in Houston. The Harris County Institute of Forensic Sciences ruled the death a suicide resulting from a gunshot wound to the head. Ms. Mostyn and her husband, Steve Mostyn, run a lucrative law practice in Houston. They have made millions on insurance litigation and rank among the biggest Democratic financial backers. They contributed $5.2 million in the 2012 cycle to super PACs, the independent political action committees, ranking 17 among top donors nationally, according to the Center for Public Integrity. Their contribution to super PACs is modest compared with donations from fellow Texans like Harold Simmons ($30.9 million) and the late Bob Perry ($23.5 million), both Republican patrons. The Mostyns also seeded Battleground Texas with a $250,000 check, according to Texas Monthly. Battleground Texas got its footing early this year and is said to be searching for viable Democratic candidates to run for statewide office. In addition to his wife, he is survived by a son, Mitch, 16; and a daughter, Ava, 10. J. D., South Texas College of Law (1996, cum laude) B. A., University of Texas (1993)