Campaign News
04/24/2018

Abbott Calls Emergency Election and Other News for April 24

TXElects

Gov. Greg Abbott (R) ordered an emergency special election for June 30 to fill the unexpired term of former U.S. Rep. Blake Farenthold (R-Corpus Christi), who resigned earlier this month. Candidates must file applications with the Secretary of State by 5 p.m. on Friday. Early voting will begin June 13 and run through June 26. Republican runoff candidates Bech Bruun and Michael Cloud and Democratic runoff candidate Eric Holguin confirmed they would be candidates in the special election. If necessary, a runoff election would be held in September.

Early voting continues for the May 5 uniform and special elections.

HD117: South San Antonio ISD Trustee Connie Prado has ended her independent candidacy for the seat held by Rep. Philip Cortez (D-San Antonio), who still faces Republican Michael Berlanga in the general election.

HD121 open: The San Antonio Express-News reiterated its endorsement of Steve Allison in the Republican runoff over Matt Beebe. The paper endorsed Allison prior to the primary.

CD2 open: The campaign of Rep. Kevin Roberts (R-Houston) released a new ad, “Home,” focused on Roberts’s faith and its importance in his life.

CD7: The campaign of Lizzie Pannill Fletcher released a new ad, “Ready to Fight Back,” highlighting her legal efforts on behalf of mothers, immigrants and employees.

CD32: Former U.S. Rep. Martin Frost (D-Arlington) and Dallas ISD Trustee Miguel Solis endorsed Colin Allred in the Democratic runoff over Lilian Salerno.

©2018 Texas Election Source LLC

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#43 - Wes Benedict: Bridging Policy and Community with Texans for Reasonable Solutions
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Welcome to Episode #43 of Bills & Business. In this episode, Laura Carr, Co-Founder of USLege, sits down with Wes Benedict, Grassroots Manager at Texans for Reasonable Solutions.

Wes brings years of advocacy experience and a steady, practical approach to community engagement. The conversation explores how Texas communities can navigate political tension, build cross-partisan coalitions, and create space for meaningful dialogue in an increasingly polarized environment.

They dive into the organization’s focus on key statewide issues including housing, infrastructure, water, and the evolving relationship between local and state governments. Wes breaks down why these policies matter for both everyday Texans and the business community, and how reasonable, bipartisan solutions can move conversations forward.

The episode closes with insights on how individuals can get involved, what success looks like in grassroots policy work, and what Texans should be watching as the special session unfolds.

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Texas Political Spotlight
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Welcome back, friends

Michael and Susan Dell’s unprecedented $6.25 billion pledge to expand federal “Trump Accounts” aims to boost long-term savings for 25 million American children. In Lubbock, Texas Tech’s new classroom restrictions on race, gender identity, and sexuality have ignited an immediate clash over academic freedom and curriculum control. And in Northeast Texas, Rep. Gary VanDeaver’s decision not to seek reelection opens a pivotal Republican primary.

We hope you enjoyed today’s read!

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USLege’s ‘Best in Government Affairs Awards’ Celebrates Heroes of the Texas Capitol with State’s First Peer-Nominated Government Affairs Honor
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Texas Political Spotlight
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Welcome back, friends

Michael and Susan Dell’s unprecedented $6.25 billion pledge to expand federal “Trump Accounts” aims to boost long-term savings for 25 million American children. In Lubbock, Texas Tech’s new classroom restrictions on race, gender identity, and sexuality have ignited an immediate clash over academic freedom and curriculum control. And in Northeast Texas, Rep. Gary VanDeaver’s decision not to seek reelection opens a pivotal Republican primary.

We hope you enjoyed today’s read!

Stay connected with TXLege News on X and LinkedIn!

Texas Political Spotlight
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Welcome back, friends

Texas voters approved one of the largest property tax relief packages in state history on Tuesday, raising the homestead exemption to $140,000 and granting new tax breaks for seniors, people with disabilities, and small businesses. In Austin, residents rejected Proposition Q, a plan to fund public safety, homelessness programs, and city facility initiatives through a property tax hike, forcing city leaders to rework the budget and brace for service cuts. Meanwhile, Bexar County voters narrowly passed Propositions A and B, greenlighting up to $311 million in tourism-funded support for a new downtown Spurs arena and upgrades to the Freeman Coliseum grounds.

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Texas Political Spotlight
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Former Vice President Dick Cheney, one of the most influential and controversial figures in modern American politics, has died at 84, remembered by former President George W. Bush as a “patriot” whose intellect and conviction shaped decades of U.S. policy. In Texas, the Education Agency announced a sweeping takeover of Fort Worth ISD, the state’s second-largest intervention, citing years of academic underperformance and plans to install new local managers. And in Washington, a United Airlines flight was evacuated after a bomb threat, prompting an FBI investigation that later found no explosives, allowing operations to resume safely.

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