Early voting begins on Monday for the November 5 constitutional amendment, general and special election. The League of Women Voters has created a Constitutional Amendment Election Voters Guide which explains each amendment, provides arguments for and against each and a short video about each. For communities with a local League, the www.VOTE411.org website gives voters the opportunity to view local races and create a personalized ballot they can print to take to the polls.
House Speaker: Reps. Trent Ashby (R-Lufkin), Tan Parker (R-Flower Mound) and Tony Tinderholt (R-Arlington) called on Speaker Dennis Bonnen (R-Angleton) to resign. In a statement, Tinderholt said a change in leadership is needed “in order to restore significant trust and confidence in the people’s Legislature.” Parker said in a statement that “Speaker Bonnen should resign in order for the House to heal and move forward.” At least six Republican members have called for Bonnen’s resignation. Rep. Phil Stephenson (R-Wharton), who is among the six, told the Dallas Morning News that he thought 35-40 other Republicans agree with him. The Republican Caucus is scheduled to meet in Austin on Friday.
Meanwhile, about two dozen members of the Democratic Caucus met. The caucus did not issue any official statement on Bonnen. Rep. Chris Turner (D-Arlington), the caucus chair, said no one at the meeting defended the Speaker.
RRC: Dallas attorney Chrysta Castañeda announced she would seek the Democratic nomination to challenge Comm. Ryan Sitton (R). We previously reported she was exploring the race.
SD13: Sen. Borris Miles (D-Houston) announced he received a kidney transplant over the weekend and that “my recovery will cause may absence in the community.” Miles is up for re-election in 2020.
HD26: Gov. Greg Abbott (R) endorsed Rep. Rick Miller (R-Sugar Land) for re-election.
HD28 special: Associated Republicans of Texas PAC endorsed Tricia Krenek. Human Rights Campaign and Planned Parenthood Texas Votes endorsed Eliz Markowitz.
HD36: Rep. Sergio Muñoz Jr. (D-Mission) announced he would seek re-election to a sixth term.
HD59: Gov. Greg Abbott (R) endorsed Rep. J.D. Sheffield (R-Gatesville) for re-election.
HD76 open: The Elisa Tamayo campaign announced she has been endorsed by retiring Sen. Jose Rodriguez (D-El Paso) and Reps. Cesar Blanco (D-El Paso), Mary González (D-El Paso), Joe Moody (D-El Paso) and Lina Ortega (D-El Paso).
HD87: Rep. Four Price (R-Amarillo) announced he would seek re-election to a sixth term.
HD103: Rep. Rafael Anchia (D-Dallas) announced he would seek re-election to a ninth term.
HD119: San Antonio business development manager and former council member Jennifer Ramos established a campaign committee for the seat held by Rep. Roland Gutierrez (D-San Antonio) in the event that he seeks a rematch of his SD19 special election loss to Sen. Pete Flores (R-Pleasanton). Ramos was an aide to Gutierrez when he served on the city council and was appointed to succeed him there. She gave up the seat for an unsuccessful bid for county commissioner. Assuming Gutierrez opts to face Flores, Ramos would face San Antonio business owner Liz Campos in the Democratic primary. Campos unsuccessfully challenged Ramos for her council seat in 2011.
HD129: Gov. Greg Abbott (R) endorsed Rep. Dennis Paul (R-Webster) for re-election.
CD13 open: Wichita Falls resident Monique Worthy established a campaign committee for a potential run for the seat being vacated by U.S. Rep. Mac Thornberry (R-Clarendon) as a Republican.
CD15: New Braunfels resident Carl Spandau established a campaign committee for a potential challenge of U.S. Rep. Vicente Gonzales (D-McAllen) as a Republican.
CD35: Austin educator Andrew Daly and San Antonio insurance agent Rafael Alcoser III established campaign committees for potential primary challenges of U.S. Rep. Lloyd Doggett (D-Austin).
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