Former Rep. Norma Chavez Seeking O’Rourke’s Open Seat
Today was the deadline for federal candidates to file for a spot on the March primary ballot. The following congressional incumbents have confirmed filed primary opponents:
- Republicans – Michael Burgess, John Carter, Mike Conaway, Ted Cruz (4), John Culberson, Blake Farenthold (6), Louie Gohmert (2), Will Hurd, Kenny Marchant, Michael McCaul, Pete Olson (3), John Ratcliffe, Pete Sessions and Randy Weber (2)
- Democrats – Eddie Bernice Johnson (2), Sheila Jackson Lee and Marc Veasey
Additional primary opponents may emerge as county and state parties prepare and certify their lists of candidates. See our Crib Sheets for the latest status on candidate filings.
CD4: Sherman minister Lander Bethel filed in the Democratic primary to challenge U.S. Rep. John Ratcliffe (R-Rockwall).
CD6 open: North Richland Hills tech consultant Thomas Dillingham filed in the Republican primary for the seat being vacated by U.S. Rep. Joe Barton (R-Ennis). Dillingham previously announced he would challenge U.S. Rep. Ted Cruz in the primary. The Republican Party of Texas web site currently shows Dillingham running for HD6, but we believe that is a typo.
CD7: An individual named Edward Ziegler filed to challenge U.S. Rep. John Culberson (R-Houston) in the Republican primary. We were unable to identify him conclusively. Ivan Sanchez, an aide to U.S. Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee (D-Houston), filed in the Democratic primary, joining at least six other candidates.
CD10: Austin residents Matt Harris and Kevin Nelson filed in the Democratic primary to challenge U.S. Rep. Michael McCaul (R-Austin). We were unable to identify them conclusively.
CD14: Nederland resident Keith Casey filed to challenge U.S. Rep. Randy Weber in the Republican primary.
Norma
Chavez
CD16 open: Former Rep. Norma Chavez (D-El Paso) filed in the Democratic primary for the seat being vacated by U.S. Rep. Beto O’Rourke (D-El Paso). Chavez represented HD76 from 1997 to 2011. She lost the 2010 Democratic primary runoff to Naomi Gonzalez, 53%-47%. In 2014, she ran to reclaim the seat, ousting Gonzalez, but losing to current Rep. Cesar Blanco (D-El Paso) in the runoff, 68%-32%.
CD21 open: An individual named Anthony White filed in the Republican primary for the seat being vacated by U.S. Rep. Lamar Smith (R-San Antonio), becoming the 17th candidate to file for the Republican nomination. We were unable to identify him conclusively.
CD22: Houston resident Sri Preston Kulkarni filed in the Democratic primary to challenge U.S. Rep. Pete Olson (R-Sugar Land).
CD23: Uvalde resident Angie Villescaz filed in the Democratic primary to challenge U.S. Rep. Will Hurd (R-San Antonio).
CD24: Johnathon Kyle Davidson filed to challenge U.S. Rep. Kenny Marchant (R-Carrollton) in the Republican primary. We were unable to identify him conclusively. Coppell attorney Josh Imhoff filed in the Democratic primary. Imhoff clerked for then-Supreme Court Justice Greg Abbott from 1998 to 1999.
CD27: Egypt retired accountant John Grunwald filed in the Republican primary to challenge U.S. Rep. Blake Farenthold (R-Corpus Christi), becoming at least the sixth Republican to file against Farenthold. Grunwald unsuccessfully challenged Farenthold in the 2012 Republican primary, finishing fourth with 8% of the vote. Houston progressive activist Vanessa Edwards Foster filed in the Democratic primary.
CD29 open: Houston elevator mechanic Augustine Reyes filed in the Democratic primary for the seat being vacated by U.S. Rep. Gene Green (D-Houston).
CD33: Dallas progressive activist and 2016 candidate Carlos Quintanilla filed for a rematch against U.S. Rep. Marc Veasey (D-Fort Worth) in the Democratic primary. Veasey defeated Quintanilla, 63%-37%, in their 2016 race.
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