Early voting: Gov. Greg Abbott (R) said he would extend the two-week early voting period for the November general election during an interview with KCBD-TV in Lubbock. Early voting is currently scheduled for October 19 through October 30. Abbott has previously extended the one-week early voting period for the July 14 primary runoff elections by one week.

SD27: The Sierra Club PAC endorsed challenger Sara Stapleton-Barrera in the Democratic runoff over Sen. Eddie Lucio, Jr. (D-Brownsville).

CD4 open: Atlanta Mayor Travis Ransom announced he would seek the Republican nomination for the seat vacated by former U.S. Rep. John Ratcliffe (R-Heath), becoming at least the sixth Republican to declare for the seat or demonstrate interest. He joins Sen. Pat Fallon (R-Prosper); Rockwall council member Trace Johannesen; Houston field service tech T.C. Manning; Dallas author and retired Navy Seal Floyd McLendon, Jr.; and Jason Ross, Ratcliffe’s former district director.

Fallon has not declared for the seat, as far as we can tell, but reportedly appeared at a Hunt Co. Republican Party convention. Hunt Co. is outside his Senate district. Fallon considered running for the seat in July 2019 when Ratcliffe was nominated for Director of National Intelligence the first time. Manning unsuccessfully sought the Republican nomination for Houston-based CD18 (19%), and McLendon unsuccessfully sought the Republican nomination for Dallas-based CD32 (34%).

The CD4 Congressional District Executive Committee has scheduled an August 8 meeting to name a replacement nominee, but whether Ratcliffe can legally be replaced on the general election ballot remains unclear.

CD13 open: U.S. Rep. Lance Gooden (R-Terrell) endorsed Josh Winegarner in the Republican runoff over Ronny Jackson.

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