Early voting for the March 3 primary election continues through February 28.

We feel more confident about the data counties are reporting to the Secretary of State and note that several counties updated their initial Day One numbers.

  • Through the first two days, 97K Republicans and 116K Democrats have voted in person or by mail in the 15 counties with the most registered voters.
  • The Republican number is a record through two days, up 17% from the previous high set in 2016. Harris, Travis, Denton, Fort Bend, Hidalgo, Montgomery and Galveston Cos. have seen record Republican turnout so far.
  • The Democratic number has fallen 8% behind the record pace set in 2008 after being 15% ahead of it on Day One. Harris, Denton, Fort Bend, Hidalgo and Williamson Cos. have seen record Democratic turnout so far.

Preliminary numbers for Day Three suggest turnout remains brisk for a primary election. Statewide turnout through the first two days was estimated to be 1.3% for the Republican primary and 1% for the Democratic primary.

RRC: The Houston Chronicle endorsed Chrysta Castañeda for the Democratic nomination to challenge Comm. Ryan Sitton (R).

Courts: The Houston Chronicle endorsed Brandy Voss for the Democratic nomination for SC7 and Amy Clark MEachum for the Democratic nomination for SCCJ.

SD14 open: Reps. Donna Howard (D-Austin) and Celia Israel (D-Austin) announced they would not seek the seat being vacated by Sen. Kirk Watson (D-Austin).

HD60: Rep. Mike Lang (R-Granbury) endorsed Jon Francis to succeed him. Francis is the son-in-law of Cisco businessman Farris Wilks, who along with brother Dan Wilks, have contributed $461K to Lang’s state campaigns since 2015.

HD127: The Houston Chronicle endorsed Rep. Dan Huberty (R-Houston) for re-nomination.

CD12: The campaign of primary challenger Chris Putnam released a new ad in which he says, “President Trump drives liberals nuts, and I drive Kay Granger nuts.” Texas Election Source gets a cameo – the ad displays our February 11 report – which we believe is our first-ever appearance in a campaign ad. As always, we do not endorse candidates and are not affiliated with or coordinated with any campaigns or political parties.

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