RRC open: The Kaufman Co. Tea Party endorsed former Rep. Wayne Christian (R-Center). His runoff opponent Gary Gates came in first in Kaufman Co. with 28% of the vote. Christian finished fourth there with 12% of the vote, trailing Weston Martinez (22%) and Lance Christian (15%). The group previously endorsed Martinez for the primary. The campaign also announced the Denton Co. Conservative Coalition’s endorsement. Christian (18%) finished second behind Gates (28%) there in the primary.
Meanwhile, Texas Alliance for Life PAC endorsed Gates. The group previously endorsed John Greytok in the primary. Texas Right to Life PAC has previously endorsed Christian.
HD64 open: Texans for Lawsuit Reform PAC endorsed Lynn Stucky.
HD128: The Wayne Smith campaign released a new video, “Parks,” featuring Deer Park Mayor Jerry Mouton crediting Smith for passing legislation to fund area parks, including the San Jacinto Monument and the Battleship Texas.
CD15 open: Candidates from both parties bickered over campaign spending – particularly the $1.6 million Vicente Gonzalez has loaned himself – at a forum hosted by Futuro McAllen. The spending issue came up several times, including when it wasn’t specifically part of the question. Gonzalez said he does not apologize for spending his own money on the race. His Democratic opponent Sonny Palacios said the amount Gonzalez has spent is “ridiculous” considering how much the job pays. Gonzalez countered that congressional candidates in other districts spend just as much and often more than he has. As that discussion wrapped up, moderator Davis Rankin of KURV-AM concluded that “obviously” Gonzalez must not think the Republicans would “give you any trouble” in the general election. “Obviously,” Gonzalez agreed. CD15 was 58% Democratic in 2012. In 2014, David Alameel won the district by 0.2% over U.S. Sen. John Cornyn, and Wendy Davis defeated Greg Abbott by 5.1% there.
Republican candidate Ruben Villarreal stressed his commitment to public service and noted that he had been to “every single forum” in the race. His runoff opponent, Tim Westley, did not attend for unspecified reasons.
CD19 open: The Jodey Arrington campaign released a new ad that accuses the Glen Robertson campaign of mudslinging. Arrington wants to “move away from the ‘Washington way.’”
Bond elections: The Comptroller has published a “roundup” of city and school district bond elections on the May 7 uniform election ballot on its Texas Transparency web site. According to the site, voters will decide on about $4.9 billion in local bonds statewide.
Bond Propositions of at Least $150M on the May 7 Ballot
- $481M – Plano ISD for renovations, fine arts, technology, pre-K, safety and security
- $437M – Richardson ISD for maintenance, renovations, technology and library improvements
- $290M – Galena Park ISD for new schools, renovations and growth
- $285M – Sheldon ISD for new schools, renovations, technology, safety and security
- $261M – Judson ISD for renovations, new schools, upgrades and additions to high school and debt payment (4 separate proposals)
- $249M – Coppell ISD for student growth, safety and security, technology, renovations and district-wide improvements
- $249M – Grapevine-Colleyville ISD for growth, additions, technology, infrastructure and safety
- $220M – McKinney ISD for school additions, renovations, safety and security and a new athletic facility
- $208M – Lubbock-Cooper ISD for new schools, additions, growth, athletics, technology, maintenance, traffic, transportation and support services
- $175M – Boerne ISD for new schools, renovations, technology, safety and security
- $155M – Anna ISD for new schools
- $150M – Melissa ISD for renovations, land acquisition and buses
