GOV: Plano entrepreneur and music executive Byron Bradford established a campaign committee for a potential challenge of Gov. Greg Abbott (R) as an independent.

SD8: The Phillip Huffines campaign announced the endorsement of 39 Republican precinct chairs. Meanwhile, Atty. Gen. Ken Paxton said his wife Angela would make a decision on the race in the “next week or so.”

HD30: Yoakum geospatial analyst Robin Hayter established a campaign committee for a potential challenge of Rep. Geanie Morrison (R-Victoria), likely as a Libertarian. She is the former chair of the Victoria Co. Libertarian Party.

HD52: Round Rock education nonprofit executive James Talarico established a campaign committee for a potential challenge of Rep. Larry Gonzales (R-Round Rock) as a Democrat.

HD57: Rep. Trent Ashby (R-Lufkin) announced he would seek re-election.

HD84: Lubbock Democratic Party activist Samatha Fields established a campaign committee for a potential challenge of Rep. John Frullo (R-Lubbock).

HD88: Perryton insurance agent Jason Huddleston established a campaign committee for his primary challenge of Rep. King King (R-Canadian), which he announced earlier this week.

HD113: Garland attorney and 2016 Republican primary challenger Jonathan Boos announced he would seek a rematch against Rep. Cindy Burkett (R-Sunnyvale), who defeated Boos, 56%-44%, in their first race.

CD16: El Paso Co. County Judge Veronica Escobar established a federal campaign committee for a potential run for the seat being vacated by U.S. Rep. Beto O’Rourke (D-El Paso) as a Democrat. She is expected to make a formal announcement of her candidacy tomorrow in El Paso, and that announcement will serve as her resignation from her current office. Escobar was first elected county judge in 2010. Her current term expires in 2018, but “resign to run” laws will force an end to her tenure. She may continue to serve until a replacement is named, which could happen as early as Monday’s meeting of the Commissioners Court. A Latina has never been elected to Congress from Texas.

Meanwhile, El Paso ISD trustee Dori Fenenbock announced her resignation so she can run for the seat.

See our 2018 Challengers page for all 256 challengers and open-seat candidates who we confirm have taken a formal step toward running for state and federal office from Texas in 2018.

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