SD15: Houston attorney Damian LaCroix said via Twitter that he is considering a primary rematch against Sen. John Whitmire (D-Houston). LaCroix received 26% of the vote against Whitmire in the 2014 Democratic primary.

HD46: In a statement, Travis Co. District Attorney Margaret Moore said her offer to Rep. Dawnna Dukes (D-Austin) to avoid trial has expired. She said her office received no contact from her or her attorneys. Moore offered to drop the criminal charges against Dukes if she resigned and met other conditions. Dukes is scheduled to stand trial before District Judge Brad Urrutia on October 16.

Meanwhile, it appears that Rep. Rene Oliveira (D-Brownsville) is representing Dukes. He signed a statement rejecting the Moore plea deal. Yesterday, two of the attorneys representing Dukes asked to be excused from the case.

HD62: Van Alstyne electrical engineer Brent Lawson announced he would challenge Rep. Larry Phillips (R-Sherman) in the Republican primary. In a statement, Lawson said his campaign would give voters “an opportunity to send a clear message to the Joe Straus establishment in Austin that … the obstruction of conservative reforms will no longer be tolerated.” Lawson unsuccessfully sought the Republican nomination for CD4 in 2014, receiving 3% of the vote. He raised about $8K for that campaign. Phillips last faced a primary opponent in 2006.

HD105: Irving attorney Terry Meza confirmed she would seek a general election rematch against Rep. Rodney Anderson (R-Grand Prairie), who defeated her by 64 votes in the 2016 general election. Anderson was one of four incumbents to win despite facing a deficit in straight-party voting.

CD7: Former Gov. Mark White endorsed Alex Triantaphyllis in the crowded Democratic primary to challenge U.S. Rep. John Culberson (R-Houston). Meanwhile, Houston medical center development director Joshua Butler amended his statement of candidacy to change his party affiliation back to Democrat. A recent amendment indicated he would run as an independent.

CD14: Port Arthur resident Sheri Barnes established a campaign committee for a potential challenge of U.S. Rep. Randy Weber (R-Pearland) as a Democrat.

See our 2018 Challengers page for all 219 challengers and open-seat candidates who we confirm have taken a formal step toward running for state and federal office from Texas in 2018.

College Station: Council member Linda Harvell filed for re-election to her P3 seat. She was elected in November to serve the unexpired term of Karl Mooney, who was elected mayor. Bob Brick, wife of term-limited council member Blanche Brick, filed for her P1 seat. Former council member John Nichols, who lost the mayoral race to Mooney, filed for the P5 seat being vacated by term-limited Julie Schultz. Filing for a place on the November ballot continues through August 21.

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