Special Elections
02/21/2021

Special Election News for February 21

TXElects

HD68 special: Just under 1K people voted early in person or by mail through Friday, the end of an abbreviated and weather-challenged early voting period. Outstanding mail ballots will likely push total early votes above the previous low of 1,037 for the 2016 special runoff election for HD120.

Since 1996, 17 candidates in a special election for Congress or the legislature in Texas finished the special election at least 10 points ahead of their runoff opponents, including Spiller. Ten of the previous 16 first-place finishers went on to win the runoff, including four of the five first-place candidates who finished at least 20 percentage points ahead of their rival in their respective special elections:

  • 28.7% – U.S. Rep. Henry Bonilla over Ciro Rodriguez, CD23 (2006) – LOST
  • 26.2% – Diego Bernal over Nunzio Previtera, HD123 (2015) – WON
  • 25.8% – David Spiller over Craig Carter, HD68 (2021)
  • 24.3% – Craig Estes over Greg Underwood, SD30 (2001) – WON
  • 21.7% – John Cyrier over Brent Golemon, HD17 (2015) – WON
  • 21.5% – Brandon Creighton over Steve Toth, SD4 (2014) – WON
  • 19.9% – Mike O’Day over Randy Weber, HD29 (2007) – LOST
  • 19.6% – Ciro Rodriguez over Juan F. Solis III, CD28 (1997) – WON
  • 18.6% – Fred Rangel over Ray Lopez, HD125 (2019) – LOST
  • 17.9% – Trey Martinez Fischer over Jose Menendez, SD26 (2015) – LOST
  • 17.0% ­– Ken Bentsen over Dolly McKenna, CD25 (1996) – WON
  • 16.8% – Carlos Uresti over Sylvia Mendelsohn, HD118 (1997) – WON
  • 15.9% – Sarah Eckhardt over Eddie Rodriguez, SD14 (2020) – WON (opponent withdrew)
  • 13.9% – Ina Minjarez over Delicia Herrera, HD115 (2015) – WON
  • 12.4% – Lorraine Birabil over James Armstrong III, HD100 (2019) – WON
  • 12.3% – Chris Bell over Joan Huffman, SD17 (2008) – LOST
  • 10.7% – Carolyn Bilski over Leighton Schubert, HD13 (2015) – LOST

Tuesday is Election Day. Our live coverage will begin at 7 p.m. CST.

CD6 special: Fort Worth educator Shawn Lassiter has withdrawn from the race for city council to run for the late U.S. Rep. Ron Wright’s (R-Arlington) seat as a Democrat. She is at least the second Democrat to declare for the race, joining 2018 nominee Jana Lynne Sanchez. At least three Republicans have announced for the race: Mansfield entrepreneur John Anthony Castro, Dallas writer and producer Monty Markland, and Austin/Seattle entrepreneur and former Washington gubernatorial candidate Asa Palagi. Susan Wright, the late congressman’s wife, is considering the race. No date has been set for the special election, but it is expected to coincide with the May 1 general election.

©2021 Texas Election Source LLC

Filed under CD6, HD68, Special Elections, Turnout .

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Texas Political Spotlight
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Texas Sen. José Menéndez is defending a 2023 law that lets cities like San Antonio reinvest state tourism and hotel tax revenue into major projects, including a proposed $1.3 billion Spurs arena, saying it keeps the city competitive with others that have used similar funding to spur growth. Democratic U.S. Senate candidate James Talarico, speaking in Fort Worth recently, cast himself as an independent voice challenging both parties and billionaires’ influence, as his tight primary race with Colin Allred gains national attention. Meanwhile, Attorney General Ken Paxton has sued Indiana resident Malcolm Tanner, accusing him of trying to take over Loving County by luring out-of-state residents with false promises of free homes in unsafe desert conditions.

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Texas Political Spotlight
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Austin-based energy startup Base Power announced it has raised $1 billion in new funding to expand its residential battery leasing business, positioning itself at the center of Texas’ fast-growing clean energy sector as demand surges nationwide. Meanwhile, Gov. Greg Abbott has authorized hundreds of Texas National Guard soldiers have been deployed to Illinois to assist federal immigration authorities in Chicago. And in education, Texas selected Odyssey, a national tech firm, to design and administer its new $1 billion school voucher program, the Texas Education Freedom Accounts.

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TXBIZNEWS
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Walmart has announced plans to eliminate synthetic dyes and over 30 other ingredients from its U.S. private brand food products such as Great Value, Marketside, Freshness Guaranteed, and Bettergoods, with a target completion date of January 2027, as outlined in a recent corporate statement.

The Details:

  • The initiative removes 11 synthetic dyes, such as Red No. 40 and Yellow No. 5, along with preservatives and artificial sweeteners, responding to customer demand for simpler ingredients while maintaining taste and value.
  • The move affects all Walmart U.S. food private brands, supporting a more transparent food system and aligning with evolving health-conscious trends.
  • Walmart President and CEO John Furner said, “Our customers want products with familiar ingredients, and we’re delivering on that promise.”
  • The transition will leverage natural alternatives, with the company collaborating with suppliers to meet the 2027 deadline.

“Our customers have told us that they want products made with simpler, more familiar ingredients - and we’ve listened. By eliminating synthetic dyes and other ingredients, we’re reinforcing our promise to deliver affordable food that families can feel good about.”

- John Furner, President and CEO, Walmart U.S.

Why It Matters:
This shift could set a new standard for the U.S. food industry, boosting consumer trust and influencing market trends.

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