SD19: Rep. Roland Gutierrez (D-San Antonio) will hold “an important announcement on his plans for working together with the communities of Senate District 19 on moving forward” on March 10 in San Antonio. Gutierrez is unopposed for re-election to HD119.
Rep. Roland
Gutierrez
Sen. Carlos
Uresti
Earlier this month, Sen. Carlos Uresti (D-San Antonio) was convicted on 11 felony counts including wire fraud, securities fraud and conspiracy to commit money laundering in connection with a bankrupt frac-sand company and its executives. Uresti said he would appeal and has no plans to resign, despite calls for him to do so from the Senate Democratic Caucus and Gutierrez.
Early voting concludes tomorrow. As of Wednesday, the ninth day of the early voting period, turnout in the 15 counties with the most registered voters reached 6%.
Through nine days, the number of Democratic votes cast is up 99% from 2014 and 11% from 2016. As has been true for several days, more people have voted early this year in the Democratic primary than during the first nine days of 2010 and 2014 combined. Democratic turnout is 48% below the record pace set in 2008.
The number of Republican votes cast in the 15 counties is up 17% from 2014 but 26% behind the record total set during the first nine days of the 2016 primary’s early voting period. Republican turnout is 46% ahead of the 2010 primary, which featured then-Gov. Rick Perry (R) being challenged by then-U.S. Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison (R).
Campaign Finance: Candidates with primary opponents who accept contributions between February 25 and March 5 must file daily pre-election reports by the first business day after the contributions are accepted. We looked at the Hot Race candidates and found some notable daily pre-election report contributions:
- SD2: Sen. Bob Hall (R-Edgewood) received $25K from Texas Right to Life PAC.
- SD8 open: Angela Paxton received a $500K loan from the campaign of Atty. Gen. Ken Paxton. His campaign previously loaned her $2M.
- HD2: Rep. Dan Flynn (R-Van) received $15K in kind from Associated Republicans of Texas for direct mail.
- HD23: Rep. Wayne Faircloth (R-Dickinson) received $25K from Texas House Leadership Fund.
- HD99: Rep. Charlie Geren (R-Fort Worth) received $37K from Associated Republicans of Texas, $31K from Texas House Leadership Fund (including $5K in kind for direct mail) and $55K from 25 other sources.
- HD114: Rep. Jason Villalba (R-Dallas) received $38K in kind from Associated Republicans of Texas for direct mail, digital advertising and canvassing. Challenger Lisa Luby Ryan received $15K from Dallas investor Kenny Troutt.
- HD121 open: Steve Allison received $30K in kind from Texans for Lawsuit Reform PAC for direct mail and advertising.
- HD122: Challenger Chris Fails received $11K in kind from Boerne Stage Airfield for television advertising.
- HD134: Rep. Sarah Davis (R-Houston) received $15K from 11 sources.
We will take another look at pre-election reports prior to Tuesday’s primary.
HD8 open: Gov. Greg Abbott (R) endorsed Thomas McNutt for the seat being vacated by Rep. Byron Cook (R-Corsicana).
HD83: Sen. Ted Cruz (R) endorsed Rep. Dustin Burrows (R-Lubbock).
HD114: Rep. Jodie Laubenberg (R-Wylie) endorsed challenger Lisa Luby Ryan.
©2018 Texas Election Source LLC
