U.S. Rep. Bill Flores (R-Bryan) announced he would not seek re-election, becoming the fifth Republican in the Texas delegation to voluntarily leave Congress.
U.S. Rep. Bill Flores
“When I originally announced that I was running for Congress in 2009, I was firm in my commitment that I would run for six or fewer terms,” Flores said in a statement. “After much prayer over the past few days and following conversations with my wife, Gina, during that time, I have decided that my current term will be my last.”
The district is slightly redder than the state as a whole, and its current precincts have been about three points more favorable to Republicans since 2012 than during the prior decade. Former U.S. Rep. Chet Edwards (D-Waco) over-performed other Democrats within this district’s precincts by as much as 17.5% before he was finally defeated by Flores in 2010. Flores faced no Democratic opponent in 2012. His margins of victory since have been 32% in 2014, 25% in 2016 and 16% in 2018.
The district is comprised of Brazos, Burleson, Falls, Freestone, Limestone, McLennan, Milam and Robertson Cos. and the far north corner of Bastrop, the northern third of Lee and a sliver of northeast Travis Cos. It includes all of the House districts represented by Reps. Doc Anderson (R-Waco), Kyle Kacal (R-College Station) and John Raney (R-Bryan). There is significant overlap between the district and SD5, which is currently represented by Sen. Charles Schwertner (R-Georgetown), whose home county is outside CD17.
Filing Deadline: Today (Wednesday) was the deadline for candidates to file for a trio of legislative special elections that will coincide with the November 5 constitutional amendment election. Please see this post for lists of the seven candidates who filed for the HD28 special election, five candidates who filed for HD100 and 14 candidates who filed for HD148.
SD27: Texans for Lawsuit Reform PAC endorsed Sen. Eddie Lucio Jr. (D-Brownsville) for re-election. He faces at least two primary opponents, and this endorsement is likely to play into their campaign’s storylines.
HD65: As expected, Lewisville landscaping business owner and two-term Lewisville ISD board member Kronda Thimesch announced she would challenge Rep. Michelle Beckley (D-Carrollton) as a Republican. She has the support of former Reps. Ron Simmons (R-Carrollton) and Burt Solomons (R-Carrollton).
HD98: Gov. Greg Abbott (R) endorsed Rep. Giovanni Capriglione (R-Southlake) for re-election.
CD11 open: Midland physician Richard Bartlett established a campaign committee for a potential run for the seat being vacated by U.S. Rep. Mike Conaway (R-Midland) as a Republican.
CD22 open: Houston attorney and former Pearland council member Felicia Harris announced she would seek the seat being vacated by U.S. Rep. Pete Olson (R-Sugar Land) as a Republican. Harris unsuccessfully sought the 2012 Republican nomination for open CD14, losing the runoff to then-state Rep. Randy Weber (R-Pearland), 63%-37%.
TBD: Houston resident Richard Andrews established a campaign committee for a potential campaign for a Senate seat but did not appear to indicate which seat he might seek. SD6, currently held by Sen. Carol Alvarado (D-Houston) and SD13, currently held by Sen. Borris Miles (D-Houston), are on the ballot in 2020.
©2019 Texas Election Source LLC
