SEN: U.S. Rep. Joaquin Castro (D-San Antonio), who weeks ago seemed poised to enter the race, is no longer expected challenge U.S. Sen. John Cornyn (R). He indicated to a Hearst reporter that he was “gonna pass” on the Senate race and if he ran for another office, it would be in Texas, not Washington. Castro is now expected to seek re-election. HIs decisions comes nearly two years to the day of his announcement that he would not challenge U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz (R).
CD23: Castroville resident Raul Reyes Jr. established a campaign committee for a potential primary challenge of U.S. Rep. Will Hurd (R-San Antonio).
SD13: Houston resident Melissa Morris established a campaign committee for a potential challenge of Sen. Borris Miles (D-Houston). We were unable to identify her conclusively.
Redistricting: A federal three-judge panel overseeing the long-running litigation over redistricting held a hearing today (Thursday) about whether the state should be once again placed under federal oversight before making changes to its districts or voting laws. The panel also discussed, briefly, an agreed-to map for HD90, which was found by the U.S. Supreme Court to be a racial gerrymander. To correct its deficiencies, HD90 and HD97 exchange several precincts, mostly located in northwest Fort Worth, River Oaks and Sansom Park.
Election Day: Saturday is Election Day for many local jurisdictions across Texas. Polls will be open 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. local time where contested elections are occurring. Early voting turnout has been light in most jurisdictions, typically south of 5%. We will have live coverage beginning just after 7 p.m. on Saturday at txelects.com/live.
Edinburg: Mayor Richard Molina released a video statement denying charges he and his wife engaged in voter fraud during his 2017 election. Molina said he and his wife “look forward to defending ourselves in the proper venue. That is a courtroom.”
Fort Worth: Democratic presidential candidate Bernie Sanders endorsed mayoral challenger Deborah Peoples. Former San Antonio Mayor and Democratic presidential candidate Julián Castro will headline a GOTV rally for Peoples on Saturday.
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