Hunter Introduced House Redistricting Proposal

The draft map redrawing House districts was introduced today and scheduled for a public hearing on Monday. House Bill 1 by Rep. Todd Hunter (R-Corpus Christi) is the first step in the legislative process and is less likely to be a final product than the other...

Endorsement and Other Election News for September 15

SD12 open: The campaign of Rep. Tan Parker (R-Flower Mound) released a new list of endorsements including the entire Denton Co. Commissioners Court, Denton Co. Sheriff Tracy Murphree (R), Tarrant Co. Sheriff Bill Waybourn (R), and the mayors of Lewisville, Ponder,...

5 File to Succeed Pacheco

Five candidates filed for the September 28 special election to fill the unexpired term of former Rep. Leo Pacheco (D-San Antonio): San Antonio legislative aide Katie Farias (D) Former Rep. John Lujan (R-San Antonio) San Antonio attorney Desi Martinez (D) San Antonio...

Election Bill Heads to Conference Over Cain Amendment

On Friday, the House gave final approval to Senate Bill 1 by Sen. Bryan Hughes (R-Mineola), the session’s main elections bill, as amended. The final vote was 80-41 with all present Democrats voting no and all Republicans voting yes except for Rep. Lyle Larson (R-San...

Analysis of Competitive Central Texas House Districts

We continue our series of analyses of competitive, or potentially competitive, legislative seats with an exploration of the I-35 corridor from Bell Co. to Bexar Co. Republican Targets HD45 (Lean Democratic): Rep. Erin Zwiener (D-Driftwood) won this open seat in 2018,...

Special Election Filing and Candidate News for August 27

HD14: Rep. John Raney (R-Bryan) announced he would seek re-election to a fifth term. HD28 special: Four candidates have filed so far for the November 5 special election to fill the unexpired term of Rep. John Zerwas (R-Richmond), who is resigning effective September...

Endorsements, Ads and Other News for October 19

Early Voting begins Monday for the November 6 general election and runs through November 2. GOV: The Corpus Christi Caller-Times endorsed Gov. Greg Abbott (R). LTGOV: The Corpus Christi Caller-Times endorsed Democratic challenger Mike Collier over Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick...

Identifying Districts Potentially in Play, Part 5

Last week we explored the shift in straight-party voting advantage in Republican-held districts toward the Democrats. Today we explore each party’s roles in those shifts. Between 2012 and 2016, Democrats either cut into the Republican straight-party advantage or...

Identifying Districts Potentially in Play, Part 4

We continue our look at districts potentially in play in November with our first statewide exploration of straight-party voting trends in Republican-held districts. Prior analyses have looked at districts that are bluer than the state as a whole, districts won by...