SD31: Amarillo restaurateur and former Muleshoe Mayor Victor Leal told the Amarillo Globe-News’s Robert Stein that he is considering challenging Sen. Kel Seliger (R-Amarillo) in the Republican primary. Leal unsuccessfully sought the 2010 Republican nomination for what was then an open HD87 seat, losing to now-Rep. Four Price (R-Amarillo), 55%-45%.
Leal raised nearly $240K for that race. His largest contributors included the late Houston homebuilder Bob Perry ($65K), the Texas Restaurant Assoc. PAC ($21K), Fort Worth restaurateur Bobby Cox ($15K), Amarillo businessman Alex Fairly ($5K), San Antonio businessman James Leininger ($5K) and Irving businessman Robert Rowling ($5K).
Leal also received contributions from former Railroad Comm. Victor Carrillo (R), former Rep. Warren Chisum (R-Pampa), former U.S. Rep. Larry Combest (R-Lubbock), Rep. Byron Cook (R-Corsicana) and the Empower Texans PAC. Leal said a decision on the race would be made “soon.”
Seliger already has an announced primary opponent in former Midland Mayor Mike Canon. Seliger defeated Canon in the 2014 SD31 primary, 53%-47%.
CD6: Arlington resident Levii Shocklee formed a federal campaign committee for a potential challenge of U.S. Rep. Joe Barton (R-Ennis) as a Democrat.
See our 2018 Challengers page for all 205 challengers and open-seat candidates who we confirm have taken a formal step toward running for state and federal office from Texas in 2018.
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