HD62 open: Gov. Greg Abbott (R) ordered a special election for November 6 to fill the unexpired term of former Rep. Larry Phillips (R-Sherman), whose previously announced resignation took effect today. Candidates must file by August 23. Brent Lawson and Reggie Smith are vying for the Republican nomination to face Democrat Valerie Hefner and Libertarian David Schaab in the general election, with which the special election coincides. Other candidates could file for the special election, but they would only serve until the Legislature convenes in January.
Phillips is the lone remaining candidate for the 59th Judicial District, barring a write-in candidacy.
Early voting for the May 5 uniform and special elections ends Tuesday.
LTGOV: The Texas State Assoc. of Fire Fighters endorsed challenger Mike Collier (D) over Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick (R).
CD32: NARAL Pro-Choice America endorsed Colin Allred in the Democratic runoff over Lillian Salerno.
Texas Right to Life PAC: Some of its local and special election activities triggered a requirement that the Texas Right to Life PAC file a campaign finance report on Friday. The PAC reported $652K in contributions, of which $650K came from Farris and JoAnn Wilks.
The group reported spending $257K, which included several contributions to Republican runoff candidates:
- $50K each to Brent Lawson (HD62 open) and Thomas McNutt (HD8 open)
- $25K each to Matt Beebe (HD121 open) and Jill Wolfskill (HD13 open)
- $20K to Deanna Metzger (HD107); and
- $10K to former Rep. Stuart Spitzer (R-Kaufman) in HD4 open.
Additional expenditures were made for data purchases, digital advertising, blockwalking and other support for a number of local and state candidates.
In a subsequently filed daily report, the group reported an additional $8K in expenditures supporting Wolfskill.
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