EMILY’s List: EMILY’S List endorsed three legislative Democratic challengers:

  • Beverly Powell over Sen. Konni Burton (R-Colleyville) in SD10
  • Terry Meza over Rep. Rodney Anderson (R-Grand Prairie) in HD105, and
  • Julie Johnson over Rep. Matt Rinaldi (R-Irving) in HD115.

The group also endorsed Rep. Victoria Neave (D-Dallas) for re-election to HD107 and Lina Hidalgo, who is challenging Harris County Judge Ed Emmert (R).

HD47: Annie’s List endorsed Democratic challenger Vikki Goodwin over Rep. Paul Workman (R-Austin).

Austin: Nonprofit director Susana Almanza filed for a rematch against D3 council member Pio Renteria, who is also her brother. Renteria defeated Almanza, 60%-40%, in a 2014 runoff. At least three other candidates – Jessica Cohen, Justin Jacobson and James Valadez – have already announced plans to challenge Renteria.

Dallas: Longtime council member Dwaine Caraway has resigned after pleading guilty to federal corruption and tax evasion charges. Caraway admitted to accepting $450K in bribes and kickbacks to help a security camera company win a contract with Dallas County Schools, the now-bankrupt entity that used to operate about a dozen school district’s buses and other student transportation programs. The council is expected to call for a special election to fill Caraway’s unexpired term to coincide with the November general election.

Michigan: In an unusual turn of events, Detroit council president Brenda Jones has won the Democratic nomination to fill the remaining two months of former U.S. Rep. John Conyers (D-Mich.) term but lost the Democratic primary for the full term. After votes were counted on Tuesday, Jones led a four-person field in the special election with 38% of the vote, finishing 1,643 votes ahead of Rashida Tlaib. However, additional African-American candidates in the primary for the full term appeared to siphon votes from both candidates, leaving Jones 887 votes behind Tlaib. Jones received 30% of the vote in the six-way primary for the full term. Both races will be on the ballot in November. It is unclear if a Republican will be in either race. David Dudenhoefer, the potential Republican candidate, did not qualify for the primary ballot, and it remains to be seen how many signatures he would need to be on the general election ballot as a write-in candidate. Incidentally, Tlaib would become the first Muslim woman elected to Congress if she wins in November.

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