Rep. Bill Zedler (R-Arlington) has formally withdrawn from the 2020 primary ballot and will not seek re-election, citing health issues. He was facing a primary challenge from Mansfield Mayor David Cook, who filed yesterday (Monday) just before the deadline. Because of Zedler’s decision to withdraw today (Tuesday), the filing period for HD96 will re-open through December 16. Fort Worth attorney Joe Drago and Crowley attorney Ryan Ray have filed in the Democratic primary.
Primaried Incumbents
As we await the final certification of candidates, here is our preliminary list of incumbents facing primary opponents. If an incumbent faces multiple primary challengers, then the number of opponents is indicated in parentheses.
Republicans
Statewide: Bert Richardson, Ryan Sitton
House: Briscoe Cain, Drew Darby, Dan Flynn (2), Dan Huberty, Geanie Morrison, Chris Paddie, Jared Patterson, Dennis Paul, J.D. Sheffield (2), Phil Stephenson (2)
Federal: John Cornyn (3), Jodey Arrington (2), Brian Babin, Kevin Brady (2), Michael Burgess (3), John Carter (3), Louie Gohmert, Lance Gooden Kay Granger, Randy Weber, Roger Williams
Democrats
Senate: Eddie Lucio Jr. (2), Borris Miles (2)
House: Alma Allen (2), Michelle Beckley, Garnet Coleman (2), Alex Dominguez, Harold Dutton (3), Bobby Guerra, Jarvis Johnson, Tracy King, Eddie Lucio III, Trey Martinez Fischer, Sergio Muñoz Jr., Ron Reynolds, Eddie Rodriguez, Shawn Thierry (2), Senfronia Thompson, Hubert Vo, Erin Zwiener
Federal: Joaquin Castro (2), Henry Cuellar, Lloyd Doggett, Al Green, Eddie Bernice Johnson (3), Sheila Jackson Lee (6), Marc Veasey, Filemon Vela
‘Late’ Filings
Yesterday (Monday) was the filing deadline for most candidates. These filings are not late in the literal sense. They just had not been reported yet. We expect to see several others trickle on over the week, plus the slates of the Libertarian and Green Parties and a list of independents who filed declarations of intent. In addition, the filing deadline has been extended by one week for HD60 and HD96, and potentially HD28.
HD15: The Woodlands attorney and 2018 Democratic nominee Lorena McGill as a Democrat (Toth)
HD27: Missouri City healthcare provider Byron Ross as a Democrat (Reynolds) – primary challenger
HD28: Vaping business owner Schell Hammel as a Republican (vacant)
HD89: Allen accountant Jon Cocks as a Democrat (Noble)
HD103: 2018 Republican nominee Jerry Fortenberry and Sherry Lee Mecom as Republicans (Anchia)
HD148: Project developer Emily Wolf as a Democrat (vacant)
HD149: Community organizer Joseph Andrew Martinez as a Democrat (Vo) – primary challenger
CD5: Dallas attorney Don Hill as a Republican (Gooden) – primary challenger
CD20: Retired educator Gary Allen as a Republican (Castro)
CD22 open: Chris Fernandez as a Democrat (Olson)
Endorsements
HD26 open: Texans for Lawsuit Reform PAC endorsed Jacey Jetton. The group previously endorsed Rep. Rick Miller (R-Sugar Land), who withdrew from the race.
HD134: Gov. Greg Abbott (R) endorsed Rep. Sarah Davis (R-Houston). Abbott endorsed Davis’s primary opponent Susanna Dokupil in 2018.
CD2: Former U.S. Rep. Beto O’Rourke (D-El Paso) endorsed Sima Ladjevardian, a late entry into the Democratic primary to challenge U.S. Rep. Dan Crenshaw (R-Houston).
CD13 open: U.S. Rep. Ron Wright (R-Arlington) endorsed Chris Ekstrom.
Other News
HD74 open: Eagle Pass Mayor Ramsey Cantu was declared ineligible to run by Texas Democratic Party Chair Gilberto Hinojosa because his term of office as mayor would overlap the legislative session.
Harris Co.: Eight-term Co. Comm. Steve Radack (R) announced he would not seek re-election yesterday (Monday), the deadline to file for the seat. His announcement extends the filing deadline one week. Radack and fellow Co. Comm. Jack Cagle (R) endorsed Spring Valley Village Mayor Tom Ramsey, who along with Houston council member Brenda Stardig and West University Place Mayor Susan Sample had already filed in the Republican primary. Former Rep. Kristi Thibaut (D-Houston) is among at least six Democratic candidates who filed for the seat. Radack, who had $1.6M on hand as of June 30 despite raising no contributions, said he would use it to support Republican candidates and get-out-the-vote activities.
©2019 Texas Election Source LLC
