Filing for partisan nomination or an independent candidacy for the 2022 general election continues through December 13.
GOV (Likely R): In a video, actor Matthew McConaughey announced that a run for governor is a “path I am choosing not to take.” He said he would continue to support people and organizations that are “creating pathways for people to succeed in life.” McConaughey had been coy about which political party’s nomination, if any, he might have chosen to seek, offering few insights into his political stance or policy preferences.
In a recent poll, McConaughey was preferred over Gov. Greg Abbott (R) or Beto O’Rourke (D), likely because of his outsider status and the lack of information about his politics. This is consistent with past polls showing generic Democrats being preferred over Republican candidates, but every specific Democrats does not poll as well.
HD34 (Likely D): Former Nueces Co. Commissioner Carolyn Vaughn and 2020 Republican nominee James Hernandez filed as Republicans to challenge Rep. Abel Herrero (D-Robstown). Vaughn, who is also a former Corpus Christi council member, lost a 2020 race for mayor (17%). Hernandez received 41% of the vote in 2020 against Herrero.
HD76 open (Likely D): Sugar Land financial advisor Ramesh K. Cherivirala filed as a Republican for the newly drawn open seat in Fort Bend Co.
HD124 open (Safe D): San Antonio businessowner and Northside ISD trustee Gerald B. Lopez established a campaign committee for a potential run as a Democrat for the seat being vacated by Rep. Ina Minjarez (D-San Antonio). Lopez served as chief of staff to then-Council Member Ray Lopez (no relation). Gerald Lopez was first elected to the Northside ISD board in 2015 and re-elected in 2019.
HD147 open (Safe D): Former Houston council member and former Houston ISD trustee Jolanda Jones announced she would seek the seat being vacated by Rep. Garnet Coleman (D-Houston) as a Democrat. Her initial list of endorsers includes Sen. Royce West (D-Dallas), former Rep. Rick Noriega (D-Houston), Houston council member Martha Castex-Tatum and former U.S. Rep. Craig Washington (D-Houston). Jones was elected to the Houston ISD board in 2015 after previously serving two terms on the Houston council. She unsuccessfully sought the Democratic nomination for Harris Co. Tax Assessor-Collector in 2020 (38%).
CD1 open (Safe R): Smith County Judge Nathaniel Moran (R) has scheduled a “special campaign announcement” for Thursday. He is expected to announce he is running to succeed U.S. Rep. Louie Gohmert (R-Tyler), who is challenging Atty. Gen. Ken Paxton (R).
CD30 open (Safe D): Former Rep. Barbara Mallory Caraway (D-Dallas) filed for the Democratic nomination for the sixth consecutive election cycle. The previous five were unsuccessful challenges to U.S. Rep. Eddie Bernice Johnson (D-Dallas), who is not seeking re-election this time.
CD37 (Safe D): Cedar Park tech entrepreneur Donna Imam announced she would challenge U.S. Rep. Lloyd Doggett (D-Austin) in the Democratic primary. Imam lost the 2020 general election for CD31, 53%-44%, to U.S. Rep. John Carter (R-Round Rock).
Tarrant County: Rep. Matt Krause (R-Fort Worth) filed for district attorney.
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