Filing for a place on the 2018 continues until 6 p.m. local time on Monday. So far, at least 377 candidates have filed for statewide, legislative and board of education offices, and at least 167 have filed to represent Texas in Congress. This means about 30% of all candidates we have been tracking to date have not yet filed. Please see our Crib Sheets for candidates’ filing status. Incumbents who, as far as we can tell, have not yet filed for re-election include:
- Congress – Joaquin Castro
- Statewide – Judge Barbara Hervey and Presiding Judge Sharon Keller
- Senate – none
- House Republicans – none
- House Democrats – Carol Alvarado, Diego Bernal*, Dawnna Dukes and Ron Reynolds*
- Board of Education – Erika Beltran
Some of these officeholders may have filed and we simply could not find any confirmation of those filings. An asterisk indicates the incumbent has confirmed to us that he or she will file. The list excludes incumbents who have announced plans to retire or seek another office.
GOV: As expected, Houston investor and entrepreneur Andrew White announced he would seek the Democratic nomination to challenge Gov. Greg Abbott (R). White, the son of former Gov. Mark White (D), has not previously sought elective office. Rep. Garnet Coleman (D-Houston) attended White’s campaign announcement and endorsed him.
LAND: Austin oil and gas attorney Miguel Suazo is expected to challenge Land Comm. George W. Bush (R) as a Democrat.
SC2: The U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee voted, 11-9, to send the nomination of Justice Don Willett (R) for the Fifth U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals to the full Senate. The vote split along party lines. Meanwhile, Jimmy Blacklock, Gov. Greg Abbott’s previously announced appointee-in-waiting, filed in the Republican primary.
SD3: Lufkin telecom retiree and Angelina Co. Democratic chair Shirley Ann Layton established a campaign committee for a potential challenge of Sen. Robert Nichols (R-Jacksonville).
SD8 open: The Texas Assoc. of Realtors’ TREPAC endorsed Angela Paxton.
Sen. Carlos
Uresti
Sen. Borris
MIles
SD9, SD17: In a statement headlined, “Enough Is Enough,” Annie’s List called for Sens. Borris Miles (D-Houston) and Carlos Uresti (D-San Antonio) to resign “following multiple, corroborated reports of sexual harassment and soliciting for sex.” The Daily Beast’s Olivia Messer reported several current and former legislators, staffers, reporters and lobbyists accusing Miles and Uresti of sexual harassment and other incendiary behaviors.
In a statement, Miles said he would “not continue to address anonymous accusations that attack my personal and professional character as an effective lawmaker.” Miles added that he would join his Senate colleagues “in developing a policy that allows all people due process and assurances they make work effectively in a fair and safe environment.”
In a statement, Uresti said, “Such un-sourced accusations, without specific information as to time, place or alleged accuser, prevent me from being able to defend myself from completely unfounded innuendo.” Uresti also said he would work with others on developing policies to prevent and investigate sexual harassment.
Miles and Uresti are not up for re-election until 2020.
SD31: The Texas Assoc. of Realtors TREPAC endorsed Sen. Kel Seliger (R-Amarillo).
Abbott Endorsements: Gov. Greg Abbott endorsed the re-election bids of Reps. Angie Chen Button (R-Garland), Travis Clardy (R-Nacogdoches), Will Metcalf (R-Conroe) and Mike Schofield (R-Katy).
HD4 open: Eustace attorney Ashley McKee established a campaign committee for a potential run for the seat being vacated by Rep. Lance Gooden (R-Terrell) as a Republican.
HD44: Cibolo resident John Rodgers filed as a Democrat to challenge Rep. John Kuempel (R-Seguin). Rodgers established a campaign committee in March but did not indicate which office he intended to seek.
HD57: Lufkin resident Jason Rogers established a campaign committee for a potential challenge of Rep. Trent Ashby (R-Lufkin). We were unable to identify him conclusively.
HD73: Wimberley resident Stephanie Phillips established a campaign committee for a potential challenge of Rep. Kyle Biedermann (R-Fredericksburg) as a Democrat.
HD89 open: Plano resident Ray Ash filed in the Democratic primary for the seat being vacated by Rep. Jodie Laubenberg (R-Wylie).
HD120: San Antonio resident Ronald Payne filed as a Republican to challenge Rep. Barbara Gervin-Hawkins (D-San Antonio).
HD121 open: San Antonio resident Charlotte Williamson filed in the Republican primary for the seat being vacated by Speaker Joe Straus (R-San Antonio).
HD122: San Antonio resident Claire Barnett established a campaign committee for a potential challenge of Rep. Lyle Larson (R-San Antonio). We were unable to identify her or her political affiliation conclusively.
HD128: Challenger Terry Sain has canceled a fundraiser scheduled for December 11 in Austin. Sain’s campaign Facebook page has not been updated since his November 24 filing, and his campaign’s web site does not appear to have been updated since August.
ED12 open: Addison resident Laura Malone-Miller established a campaign committee for a potential run for the seat being vacated by board member Tincy Miller (R-Dallas).
Dallas Co.: The filing deadline has been extended by one week for the office of sheriff as a result of the timing of Lupe Valdez’s resignation. The Dallas Co. Commissioner’s Court will appoint an interim successor, but the final two years of her unexpired term will be served by the winner of the 2018 general election.
