GOV: Houston resident Demetria Smith reauthorized her campaign committee for a potential challenge of Gov. Greg Abbott (R), likely as a Democrat. She unsuccessfully challenged Rep. Hubert Vo (D-Houston) in the 2016 Democratic primary for HD149, receiving 35% of the vote. She finished 9th out of 13 candidates for mayor of Houston in 2015, receiving less than 0.5% of the vote. She finished 8th out of 12 candidates for an open Houston council seat (DD) in 2013, receiving 3% of the vote. According to the Texas Ethics Commission’s list of delinquent filers, Smith’s campaign owes $21K in fines as of July 25.
HD4: Forney pastor Marty Reid established a campaign committee for a potential primary challenge of Rep. Lance Gooden (R-Terrell). In April 2015, Reid gave the invocation during a session of the Texas House after being introduced by former Rep. Stuart Spitzer (R-Kaufman), whom Gooden defeated in their 2016 primary rematch, 52%-48%. Spitzer called Reid “a wonderful man and wonderful patriot” during his introduction.
HD66: Plano office manager and State Democratic Executive Committee member Sharon Hirsch established a campaign committee for a potential challenge of Rep. Matt Shaheen (R-Plano) as a Democrat. Hirsch ran unsuccessfully for Plano ISD trustee in 2015, receiving 33% in a three-way race.
HD72: San Angelo resident Lynette Lucas established a campaign committee for a potential primary challenge of Rep. Drew Darby (San Angelo). Her personal Facebook page indicates she works as “God’s warrior at Not all about me Ministry” and has several shares of posts from Empower Texans and the Texas Freedom Caucus.
CD22: Orchard resident Stephanie Williams established a campaign committee for a potential challenge of U.S. Rep. Pete Olson (R-Sugar Land) as an independent.
CD33: Fort Worth resident Kurt Schwab established a campaign committee for a potential challenge of U.S. Rep. Marc Veasey (R-Fort Worth) as a Republican.
See our 2018 Challengers page for all 216 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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