Campaign News
02/17/2022

Early Turnout Crosses 2% and Other News for February 17

TXElects

Early voting for the March 1 primary election continues through February 25. Statewide, early voting turnout was just over 2% of registered voters through yesterday (Wednesday), the third day of the early voting period.

Campaign Finance: Today (Thursday) was the deadline for federal candidates seeking primary nominations to file their pre-primary reports. Our Crib Sheets are being updated as the reports become available online. We expect to have a breakdown of the totals and how those totals have historically signaled primary success (or failure) tomorrow (Friday).

AG (Lean R): U.S. Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee (D-Houston) and U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders (D-Vt.) endorsed Lee Merritt (D).

SD10 (Likely R): The Fort Worth Star-Telegram endorsed Rep. Phil King (R-Weatherford) to face Sen. Beverly Powell (D-Burleson).

HD19 open (Safe R): Republican candidate Justin Berry was among 19 Austin police officers indicted in connection with the May 2020 protests in the city, reported the Austin American-Statesman’s Ryan Autullo.

HD147 open (Safe D): Rep. Garnet Coleman (D-Houston) announced he would resign effective February 28. A special election will be required to fill his unexpired term.

CD6 (Safe R): Former President Trump endorsed U.S. Rep. Jake Ellzey (R-Waxahachie). Trump endorsed Ellzey’s opponent, Susan Wright, in the 2021 special election won by Ellzey in a runoff.

CD12 (Likely R): Former President Trump endorsed U.S. Rep. Kay Granger (R-Fort Worth). Trump endorsed Granger in 2020 when she was facing a spirited challenge from Chris Putnam.

CD15 open (Toss Up): Former President Trump endorsed Monica De a Cruz-Hernandez (R).

CD30 open (Safe D): Cryptocurrency traders’ PACs Protect our Future and WEB3 Forward have each spent nearly $1M in support of Rep. Jasmine Crockett (D-Dallas), according to its latest report. Neither PAC has been required to disclose its donors yet.

CD38 open (Safe R): Former President Trump endorsed Wesley Hunt (R). Trump previously endorsed Hunt during his 2020 race for CD7.

Tarrant Co.: Former President Trump endorsed Phil Sorrells (R) for district attorney.

Mail Ballots: The Secretary of State’s office has been redirecting thousands of absentee ballot requests sent to it using reply envelopes supplied by Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick’s (R) campaign, reported the Houston Chronicle‘s Cayla Harris. Absentee ballot requests must be sent to the voters’ county election officials, not the state. Friday is the deadline for voters to request absentee ballots.

©2022 Texas Election Source LLC

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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.

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Texas Political Spotlight
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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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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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