The House and Semate adopted the conference committee report (CCR) for Senate Bill 6 by Sen. Joan Huffman (R-Houston), the congressional redistricting plan.
The CCR retained a House amendment by Rep. Senfronia Thompson (D-Houston) that realigned CD18 closer to its current configuration and unpaired U.S. Reps. Sheila Jackson Lee (D-Houston) and Al Green (D-Houston). The CCR also retains House amendments that reportedly place Rep. Steve Toth’s (R-The Woodlands) residence within open CD8 and Rep. Trey Martinez Fischer’s (D-San Antonio) residence into open CD35.
Prior to the CCR’s adoption, the League of United Latin American Citizens and other plaintiffs filed a federal lawsuit (PDF) challenging the redistricting plans, arguing they “unlawfully dilute the voting strength of Latinos.”
The Third Called Session of the 87th Texas Legislature concludes by law tomorrow (Tuesday).
Early voting is underway for the November 2 constitutional, general and special elections.
SD10: U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz (R) endorsed Sen. Phil King (R-Weatherford).
HD13 open: Itasca legislative district director and former Hill Co. District Clerk Angelia Orr announced she would seek the seat being vacated by Rep. Ben Leman (R-Iola) as a Republican. Orr is Rep. Cody Harris’s (R-Palestine) district director. We previously reported that she had formed an exploratory committee.
HD92: Arlington community organizer Tracy Y. Scott established a campaign committee for a potential challenge of Rep. Jeff Cason (R-Bedford) as a Democrat. Scott is president of Black Women’s PAC and served on Fort Worth’s redistricting task force.
HD97: Fort Worth Army veteran Chris Rector established a campaign committee for a potential primary challenge of Rep. Craig Goldman (R-Fort Worth). Rector, who lost a 2021 race for Fort Worth mayor (<1%), also has an active federal campaign committee for CD33.
CD8 open: Conroe political consultant Christian Collins announced he would seek the seat being vacated by U.S. Rep. Kevin Brady (R-The Woodlands) as a Republican. Collis is a former Brady adviser and campaign manager and former aide to U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz (R). Collins is at least the 16th Republican to take a formal step toward running to succeed Brady.
CD22: Barker businessman Ángel Luis Vega established a campaign committee for a potential challenge of U.S. Rep. Troy Nehls (R-Richmond) as a Democrat.
CD27: Alvin conservative podcaster Andrew Alvarez established a campaign committee for a potential primary challenge of U.S. Rep. Michael Cloud (R-Victoria). Alvaraz established a campaign committee for a 2020 race for CD22 but did not file for the office.
CD35/CD37 open: U.S. Rep. Lloyd Doggett (D-Austin) confirmed he will run in new district CD37 rather than for re-election in CD35, thus opening an opportunity for a Hispanic/Latino Democrat. Doggett released a lengthy endorsement list including dozens of current and former elected officials.
Rep. Eddie Rodriguez (D-Austin) is reportedly considering a run for CD35. Austin healthcare finance executive Julie Oliver, who lost the last two general elections for CD25 as a Democrat (45% and 42%, respectively), emailed supporters that “Austin deserves a choice.”
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