As expected, Land Comm. George P. Bush (R) announced he would challenge Atty. Gen. Ken Paxton (R). At a campaign kickoff event in Austin, Bush called Paxton “a career politician” who has “brought way too much scandal and too little integrity to this office.”
But a video tweeted out by the campaign placed Bush’s focus on opposing “the liberal mob in Washington D.C., … the liberal elites and the media.” A longer version is linked below:
Without mentioning the incumbent, Bush said in the video, “We deserve an attorney general who will make us proud.”
Both candidates invoked former President Trump. Bush said he would seek Trump’s endorsement, and the campaign video includes footage of him shaking Trump’s hand at a rally. A Paxton campaign spokesman said he “has been and will continue to be the tip of the spear in protecting President Trump’s America First principles.” Trump has said he would make an endorsement in the race.
CD7: Houston veteran-owned business marketer Tim Stroud established a campaign committee for a potential challenge of U.S. Rep. Lizzie Fletcher (D-Houston) as a Republican. He is at least the third Republican to take a formal step toward entering the race, joining Houston financial consultant Roland Lopez and Cypress gym owner Damien Mockus.
CD35: Del Valle management analyst and community activist Claudia Zapata established a campaign committee for a potential primary challenge of U.S. Rep. Lloyd Doggett (D-Austin), becoming at least the third Democrat to take a formal step toward entering the race. She joins San Antonio district manager David Lee Anderson and Austin e-commerce consultant Danielle Fewings.
Fort Worth: Gov. Greg Abbott (R) endorsed Mattie Parker in the mayoral runoff.
McAllen: Early voting turnout for the June 5 runoff has exceeded early voting turnout of the May 1 general election. Just over 7K voters have cast ballots early in the mayoral and council runoffs, which is about 100 more voters than the previous early voting period. Council member Javier Villalobos faces council member Veronica Vela Whitmire in the mayoral runoff. Three council seats will also be decided in runoffs.
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