TXElects

Abbott Lays Down $20M in Ad Reservations

Jun 29, 2022 | Campaign News

GOV (Likely R): Gov. Greg Abbott’s (R) campaign has reserved nearly $20M in television, digital and Hispanic-media advertising. The buy, dubbed the first phase of reservations, includes nearly $9M in broadcast, cable, connected TV and radio advertising slots; $8M in...

New Ad Criticizes Abbott’s Grid Response, Likely First of Many

Dec 16, 2021 | Campaign News

The filing deadline has passed, but we are still learning about candidates whose filings are just now being, or have not yet been, reported. County and state party chairs are not required to submit candidate information to the Secretary of State until December 21. Our...

Postal Service Warns of Mail Ballot Delays

Aug 16, 2020 | Campaign News

The U.S. Postal Service warned Texas Secretary of State Ruth Hughes that there is a “significant risk” that lawfully requested mail ballots will not be returned in time to be counted. Voters “should submit their ballot request early enough so it is received by their...

Polls Show Close Race for CD24 and Other News for August 6

Aug 6, 2020 | Campaign News

CD24 open (Toss Up): A pair of polls indicate a close race but differ widely on how set voters are in their choices. The Democrat-aligned House Majority PAC released a poll (PDF) showing Candace Valenzuela (D) leading former Irving Mayor Beth Van Duyne (R), 47%-41%,...

Independent Filings and Endorsement News for January 9

Jan 9, 2020 | Campaign News

Forty-four candidates filed declarations of intent to run as an independent for U.S. Senate, Congress, the Texas Senate and the Texas House by the December 9 deadline. This is down from the 68 who filed declarations for 2018 but still much higher than the 15 who filed...

Filing Period Set to Open for 2020 Candidates

Nov 8, 2019 | Campaign News

Filing for the 2020 election begins tomorrow (Saturday). In Texas, candidates for county, state and federal elective office are nominated for the general election by their respective political parties unless they are running as an independent or write-in candidate....

Lawsuit Targets State’s Ballot Access Laws

Jul 11, 2019 | Campaign News

A group of voters, candidates and minor parties has filed a federal lawsuit against the state seeking to strike down several statutory provisions relating to ballot access on the basis that they violate the First and Fourteenth Amendments. Under current law, minor...

Independents Certified and Other News for June 27

Jun 28, 2018 | Campaign News

The Secretary of State has certified eight independent candidates for the November general election ballot. All but one of the certified candidates are seeking congressional seats: Scott Cubbler of Houston for CD2 Benjamin Hernandez of Houston for CD9 Kesha Rogers of...

SD19, Independent Candidate Filing Update

Jun 22, 2018 | Campaign Finance

SD19 special: Pleasanton retired game warden Pete Flores and San Antonio real estate agent Carlos Antonio Raymond filed as Republicans for the special election to fill the remaining two-plus years of former Sen. Carlos Uresti’s (D-San Antonio) term. Flores received...

No, the General Election Ballot Is Not Yet Set

May 24, 2018 | Campaign News

After Tuesday’s runoffs, we now know all of the Republican and Democratic nominees for the general election. We already knew all of the Libertarian Party’s nominees following their state convention. Collectively, these are the vast majority of candidates who will end...

68 File as Independents and Other Election News for December 29

Dec 29, 2017 | Campaign News

Sixty-eight Texans filed declarations of intent to run as independent candidates for state and federal offices in 2018, up from 15 for 2016. Forty-two independent candidates filed for U.S. representative, six for U.S. senator and eight for Governor. We have updated...

By the Numbers: Alternative Presidential Candidates

Jun 1, 2016 | By the Numbers, Political Climate

Zero Number of presidential candidates to win Texas who were not either a Democrat or a Republican Recent national attention on potential independent candidates’ ability to prevent presumptive Republican nominee Donald Trump from winning the White House, while somehow...

🎙️We Have a Podcast! 🎙️

Bills and Business is your go-to podcast for conversations related to Texas legislation and business. Hosted by Laura Carr, Co-Founder of USLege—an AI-driven legislative tracking software—we bring you in-depth analysis on economic trends, impactful legislation, and key developments shaping Texas business.

Subscribe on Youtube and Spotify for weekly episodes!

🔍 USLege - The Only AI-First Political Tracking Solution ✨

USLege helps you track legislation and find what you need faster from bills, committee hearings, floor debates, and state agency meetings faster.

Say goodbye to tedious tasks!

You can follow USLege on LinkedIn, Facebook, and X.

🤝 Texas Association of Business 📈

Texas Association of Business (TAB) is the Texas State Chamber, representing companies of every size and industry. TAB’s purpose is to champion the best business climate in the world, unleashing the power of free enterprise to enhance lives for generations.

You can follow TAB on LinkedIn, Facebook, and X.

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Trusted by Government Affairs Professionals and Corporate Policy Teams
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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.

Don’t forget to subscribe to Bills & Business on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and YouTube for more deep dives into Texas policy and business news.

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🎧 Subscribe to Bills & Business

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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!

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.

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,

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.

We hope you enjoyed today’s read!

Stay connected with TXLege News on X and LinkedIn!