The filing deadline for a spot on the 2018 primary ballot has passed, but the candidate rosters are not yet finalized. The parties have until December 19 to submit their final certified candidate lists to the Secretary of State. Please see our Crib Sheets for the latest information about primary races.
Correction: We inadvertently left Rep. Lynn Stucky (R-Sanger) off yesterday’s list of incumbents with primary opponents.
Justice Don Willett
SC2: The U.S. Senate confirmed Justice Don Willett’s nomination to the Fifth U.S. Court of Appeals on a 50-47 vote. Willett did not file for re-election. Jimmy Blacklock, Gov. Greg Abbott’s announced choice to succeed Willett, was the only Republican to file for the seat as far as we can tell. A vote to confirm former Solicitor General Jim Ho to the Fifth Circuit is expected later this week.
HD140: Houston attorney Matthew Mendez was declared ineligible by the Harris Co. Democratic Party because the permanent address provided on his application lies outside the district. He had filed to challenge Rep. Armando Walle (D-Houston) in the primary. Walle now has no known opponent.
CD27: U.S. Rep. Roger Williams (R-Austin) endorsed Bech Bruun, who is challenging U.S. Rep. Blake Farenthold (R-Corpus Christi) in the Republican primary. In a statement, Williams said Bruun would provide “serious, responsible leadership” in Washington. Meanwhile, former U.S. Rep. Ron Paul (R-Surfside) endorsed Michael Cloud.
Cameron Co.: Former Secretary of State Carlos Cascos filed in the Republican primary for Cameron County Judge, a post he held from 2007 until his appointment in 2015. He was a county commissioner from 1991 until 2002. Cascos will face either incumbent County Judge Eddie Treviño Jr. or his primary opponent Robert Sanchez.
Jefferson Co.: Former U.S. Rep. Nick Lampson (D-Beaumont) filed to challenge County Judge Jeff Branick (R). Neither is opposed in the primary. Lampson represented CD9 from 1997 to 2005 and CD22 from 2007 to 2009, when he lost to current U.S. Rep. Randy Weber (R-Pearland). Branick switched parties to become a Republican earlier this year.
©2017 Texas Election Source LLC
