Early Voting continues for the November 6 general and constitutional amendment election through November 3. Turnout continues to be very light across most of the state.

Redistricting: The state of Texas filed its formal appeal (PDF) with the U.S. Supreme Court of a lower court decision invalidating nine state House districts. That ruling has been stayed by the high court pending appeal. The state has previously filed its appeal of the ruling invalidating two congressional districts, and that ruling was also stayed by the high court.

GOV: Houston attorney and two-time Libertarian nominee Kathie Glass has scheduled a November 6 kickoff event in Austin for her challenge of Gov. Greg Abbott (R). Glass received 2% of the vote in 2010 and 1% in 2014. She was the party’s first-ever nominee for attorney general in 1982, receiving 2% of the vote. Lone Oak gun rights activist Kory Watkins previously announced plans to seek the Libertarian nomination.

AG: The Kaufman County District Attorney’s office has closed its investigation into a donation made to Attorney General Ken Paxton’s legal defense fund without taking the case to a grand jury. The investigation concluded that Paxton had a personal and past professional relationship with the donor.

Rep. Todd Hunter

Rep. Todd
Hunter

House Speaker: Rep. Todd Hunter (R-Corpus Christi) said he is considering running to succeed Speaker Joe Straus (R-San Antonio). As of this evening, there were two candidates who have officially declared for the race: Reps. Phil King (R-Weatherford) and John Zerwas (R-Richmond).

SD5: Groesbeck ISD superintendent Harold “Spooky” Ramm established a campaign committee for a potential challenge of Sen. Charles Schwertner (R-Georgetown). Campaign finance data suggests Ramm would run as a Democrat. He is at least the third Democrat to take a formal step toward challenging Schwertner, joining Austin management consultant Brian Cronin and Austin attorney Glenn “Grumpy” Williams.

HD121: San Antonio cybersecurity business owner and two-time primary challenger Matt Beebe tweeted that he would seek the seat being vacated by Speaker Joe Straus (R-San Antonio). Beebe received 37% against Straus in the 2012 Republican primary and 39% in their 2014 rematch.

HD130: In a Facebook post, Houston engineer Fred Infortunio indicated he would challenge Rep. Tom Oliverson (R-Cypress). His social media activity suggests he would run as a Democrat.

SEN: Austin hunger nonprofit owner Carl Bible established a campaign committee – the Bible Committee to Drain Swamp – to challenge U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz (R) as an independent.

Collin Co.: County Comm. Chris Hill (R) announced he would run for County Judge. Incumbent Keith Self (R) is not seeking re-election. In May, we reported that Hill would explore running for the seat.

Round Rock: The city council called a December 16 special election to fill the P6 seat being vacated by Kris Whitfield, who resigned earlier this month to move out of state. Banker Hollis Bone, who lost a P1 race in May, has announced he would seek the seat. The filing deadline is November 6.

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