A few things we wanted to share with you today:
HD3: Rep. Cecil Bell Jr. (R-Magnolia) plans a major announcement on Monday that some believe will be the launching of a challenge to Speaker Joe Straus (R-San Antonio). Bell said his announcement would include details about the “PACT for Constitutional Restoration of State Sovereignty” initiative.
HD33: Real estate agency leader Justin Holland, a council member and former Mayor Pro Tem of Heath, announced he would run for the Republican nomination for the seat being vacated by Rep. Scott Turner. Holland was first elected to the Heath City Council, Place 2 in 2011, receiving 70% of the vote. He appears to have been unopposed in 2013 and 2015 re-election bids.
HD42: Rep. Richard Raymond announced he would seek re-election.
HD60: Dueling rallies were held in Granbury today following the decision of Hood Co. Clerk Katie Lang to refuse to give a marriage license to a same-sex couple. She is the wife of former Hood Co. Constable Mike Lang, who is running as a Republican for the seat being vacated by Rep. Jim Keffer (R-Eastland). Lang entered the race in March as a challenger to Keffer, who decided to retire. One of the rallies supported religious freedom and featured Texas Values’ President Jonathan Saenz, a frequent endorser of conservative candidates. Saenz said, “We are here to support Katie Lang.” A second rally supported equal rights and urged Mrs. Lang to follow the U.S. Supreme Court’s recent decision on same-sex marriage.
Cruz Endorsement: U.S. Rep. Brian Babin (R-Woodville) endorsed U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz for President. He is the fifth member of the Texas delegation to do so, joining U.S. Reps. Michael Burgess (R-Lewisville), John Culberson (R-Houston), Louie Gohmert (R-Tyler) and John Ratcliffe (R-Heath).
CTAs: We are not aware of any campaign treasurer appointments of interest filed since our last report. All known candidates, whether they have filed a CTA or not, are listed in our Crib Sheets
