A few things we’d like to share with you today:
SD24: Rep. Susan King (R-Abilene) formed an exploratory committee to explore a run for the seat being vacated by Sen. Troy Fraser (R-Horseshoe Bay). King also said he did not intend to run for re-election to HD71 and would make her decision on the SD24 race in the coming weeks. Meanwhile, local Republican Party leaders rejected an offer from Sen. Konni Burton (R-Colleyville) to organize a candidates’ debate that would occur prior to the filing period.
HD4: Former Rep. Lance Gooden (R-Terrell) confirmed he would seek a rematch against Rep. Stuart Spitzer (R-Kaufman) in the primary. Spitzer defeated Gooden, 51%-49%, in 2014. In a press release announcing his candidacy, Gooden said he has been endorsed by Athens Mayor Jerry Don Vaught and Kaufman Mayor Jeff Jordan. Gooden first won the seat by defeating former Rep. Betty Brown (R-Terrell) in the 2010 primary, 50.5%-49.5%.
HD11: Rep. Travis Clardy (R-Nacogdoches) announced he would seek re-election.
HD57: Rep. Trent Ashby (R-Lufkin) announced he would seek re-election.
HD61: Rep. Phil King (R-Weatherford) announced he would seek re-election.
HD67: Rep. Jeff Leach (R-Plano) announced he would seek re-election. Plano attorney Scott Coleman filed a campaign treasurer appointment for this seat. It is unclear at this time whether he would be a primary or general election challenger.
HD99: The Bo French campaign released its first campaign video, “Texas Must Lead.” French cites illegal immigration, protecting the family unit and the unborn and shrinking the size of government as his reasons for seeking office. The video can be viewed at https://www.youtube.com/watch?t=62&v=JOLIotOMykE.
HD114: Dallas attorney Dan Morenoff (R) said he would challenge Rep. Jason Villalba (R-Dallas) in the primary. Morenoff, executive director of the Equal Voting Rights Institute, said he was running to support “the kind of conservative reforms that will make Texas more Texas.”
New CTAs:
- HD126: Steve Smith of Spring. Smith is the president of the Klein ISD Board of Trustees.
- HD144: Bernie Aldape of Houston. Aldape was a legislative aide for Rep. Bobby Guerra during the 2013 session and may be running as a Democrat.
All known candidates, regardless of whether they have filed a CTA, are listed in our Crib Sheets:
