Friday is the deadline for candidates to file for offices on the May 1 general election ballot.
HD68 special: The Texas Assoc. of Realtors TREPAC endorsed David Spiller.
NRCC Targets: The National Republican Campaign Committee released a list of about four dozen Democrat-held seats it would target in 2022, including five from Texas:
- CD7 – won by U.S. Rep. Lizzie Fletcher (D-Houston), 51%-47%
- CD15 – won by U.S. Rep. Vicente Gonzalez (D-McAllen), 51%-48%
- CD28 – won by U.S. Rep. Henry Cuellar (D-Laredo), 54%-44%
- CD32 – won by U.S. Rep. Colin Allred (D-Dallas), 52%-46%; and
- CD34 – won by U.S. Rep. Filemon Vela (D-Brownsville), 55%-42%.
The campaign committee targeted Fletcher for 2020 but ultimately diverted planned ad spending to other Texas districts.
Austin: The city council approved eight propositions for the May 1 ballot including Save Austin Now’s petition to restore the homeless camping ban ordinance. Other propositions would:
- Move mayoral elections to presidential election years beginning in 2024
- Provide for ranked choice voting for city elections
- Change the city’s government form to “strong mayor-council” from council-manager,” thereby eliminating the city manager’s position and giving the mayor veto power over council actions
- Add an 11th council district; and
- Establish a voucher-based public finance system to enable registered voters to direct up to $50 in tax dollars to city election candidates.
Seven of the eight propositions were petition driven. The other was a last-minute proposal from council member Greg Casar regarding the Office of Police Oversight.
San Antonio: Former Rep. Tomas Uresti (D-San Antonio) filed to challenge District 3 council member Rebecca Viagran. Seven other candidates have also filed for the seat. In District 9, financial planner Patrick Von Dohlen filed for a rematch against council member John Courage.
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