A few things we wanted to share with you today:
SD24: Rep. Susan King (R-Abilene) told the Abilene Reporter-News that she was considering entering the race to succeed Sen. Troy Fraser (R-Horseshoe Bay). Yesterday, Lake Travis ISD Trustee and Sunset Advisory Commission public member Dawn Buckingham (R-Lakeway) officially announced her campaign for the seat. Sen. Don Huffines’ campaign manager Matt Langston is connected to her campaign. Meanwhile, Rep. Jimmie Don Aycock (R-Killeen) said he was asked to run for the seat but declined, adding that he was “shocked” Fraser was not retiring.
HD118: Several potential successors to Rep. Joe Farias (D-San Antonio) have emerged since he announced he would not seek re-election, reports the San Antonio Express-News‘ Gilbert Garcia. They include:
- Anthony Alcoser, a university development director and former president of the Harlandale ISD Board of Trustees;
- Gabe Farias, the president of the West San Antonio Chamber of Commerce and son of Rep. Farias;
- Albert Uresti IV, an attorney and son of Bexar Co. Tax Assessor-Collector Albert Uresti; and
- Tomas Uresti, a newly elected Harlandale ISD trustee.
Tomas Uresti said his family would discuss the possibility of running over the weekend. Alcoser said he would blockwalk the district and evaluate the race over the next few weeks.
Perry Launches Second Presidential Campaign. Standing in front of a cargo plane similar to the one he flew during his military service, former Gov. Rick Perry declared “It’s time” to run for president again. He touted his 14 years of executive experience in Texas, outlining a series of challenges including hurricanes, ongoing problems at the Mexiican border and the nation’s first Ebola diagnosis. He drew a sharp contrast with U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz when he declared, “Leadership is not a speech on the Senate floor. It’s not what you say. It’s what you have done.” The Opportunity and Freedom PAC, A super PAC supportive of Perry, is launching television ads in Iowa beginning tomorrow. Perry is headed to Iowa this weekend. In 2012, Perry came in fifth place in the Iowa caucuses with 10% of the vote, but he failed to win more than 1% in any other primary or caucus.
San Antonio Mayor. A final mayoral forum between Mayor Ivy Taylor and former Sen. Leticia Van de Putte saw some of the sharpest attacks yet between the candidates. Van de Putte said the failure to finalize regulations for ride-sharing services Uber and Lyft, obtain new contracts with the police and fire unions or bring Google Fiber to the city show a “clear lack of leadership.” Taylor defended her refusal to shake Van de Putte’s hand after a recent debate. “In Texas, if a person attacks your family, then smiles and extends her hand, you don’t shake that hand,” she said. Van de Putte said she shakes hands when in agreement or disagreement. “We need a mayor who is strong and works with everyone,” she said. Through four days of early voting, 30,068 people have voted early in person. That is half the total number of votes cast early for the May 9 election. Early voting continues until June 9.
CTAs. No new campaign treasurer appointments (CTAs) of interest have been filed since our last report.
