Texas Megathread Mk. II : Big Dem State Legislature gains

[Former Kentuckian]

In more under the radar news there is actually a competitive race for the Libertarian nomination for Governor.

Kathie Glass is the front runner and the nominee in 2010, 2014, and for Supreme Court in 2016. Coming from the more conservative wing of the party most notably with her stance on border control. Has the most appeal to Tea Party voters who for whatever wont vote for Abbot.

Kory Watkins is definitely representing the an/cap wing of the party. His campaign seems focused on legalizing marijuana and eliminating property taxes (and then all others). 

Mark Tippetts is a city councilman from Lago Vista. Tippetts' campaign is largely based around opposing Trump and any border wall. He has Mark Miller (2016 candidate for Railroad Commissioner and endorsed by all the major newspapers) and Mary Ruwart in his corner which can go a long way. If he can he get his name out more and build up a bigger social media presence he may be worth keeping an eye on as a potential nominee.

Finally we come to Patrick Smith, another an/cap. He claims to be running for "Not-Governor" i.e. governing by 100% by the Non-Aggression Principle.

Currently I am in the process of trying to get all four to come out to Huntsville where our county's LP will host a Gubernatorial debate in Maech

You'd think Tippetts would be the frontrunner since he's actually held office

[CatoMinor]

In more under the radar news there is actually a competitive race for the Libertarian nomination for Governor.

Kathie Glass is the front runner and the nominee in 2010, 2014, and for Supreme Court in 2016. Coming from the more conservative wing of the party most notably with her stance on border control. Has the most appeal to Tea Party voters who for whatever wont vote for Abbot.

Kory Watkins is definitely representing the an/cap wing of the party. His campaign seems focused on legalizing marijuana and eliminating property taxes (and then all others). 

Mark Tippetts is a city councilman from Lago Vista. Tippetts' campaign is largely based around opposing Trump and any border wall. He has Mark Miller (2016 candidate for Railroad Commissioner and endorsed by all the major newspapers) and Mary Ruwart in his corner which can go a long way. If he can he get his name out more and build up a bigger social media presence he may be worth keeping an eye on as a potential nominee.

Finally we come to Patrick Smith, another an/cap. He claims to be running for "Not-Governor" i.e. governing by 100% by the Non-Aggression Principle.

Currently I am in the process of trying to get all four to come out to Huntsville where our county's LP will host a Gubernatorial debate in Maech

You'd think Tippetts would be the frontrunner since he's actually held office

Kathie's main strengths are her name recognition and well organized. Maybe if he can grow his campaign and demonstrate that he can get his name out there in a positive way he will have a real shot at the nomination.

[wxtransit]

The thread I needed, but also the one I didn't know existed.

[wxtransit]

TX-03 has a Democrat named... Sam Johnson running.

I saw the signs posted at the street corners, and was extremely confused at first.

[Indy Texas]

In more under the radar news there is actually a competitive race for the Libertarian nomination for Governor.

It ain't easy competing for the privilege of being the person who gets 1.5% of the vote in November.

[Terry the Fat Shark]

I am working on a list of competitive State House, Senate, CD, etc races

[CatoMinor]

In more under the radar news there is actually a competitive race for the Libertarian nomination for Governor.

It ain't easy competing for the privilege of being the person who gets 1.5% of the vote in November.

Better than zero. And at least we can hold our own enough in races when it counts to get the 5% that gives us automatic ballot access.

[Terry the Fat Shark]

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1jzJWx-lnhLvlhbY5BNHExAX2_QAoBM8q3e05idU580Y/edit?usp=sharing

Here is what I have so far, every competitive State House race with Party, candidates on both sides, whether or not they are tea party vs establishment/business ( a big metric for tx gop) , and whether or not it has advanced to a runoff, will be adding more races soon.

[Former Kentuckian]

Andrew White will be airing his first ad. I'm starting to think he'll win the primary: https://www.houstonchronicle.com/news/politics/texas/article/White-to-put-up-first-ad-in-Democratic-primary-12605838.php

Lupe Valdez has the endorsement of Dallas County Judge Clay Jenkins (but Dallas Mayor Mike Rawlings isn't endorsing): https://www.expressnews.com/news/local/article/Dallas-County-judge-backing-Lupe-Valdez-for-12605515.php

[CatoMinor]

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1jzJWx-lnhLvlhbY5BNHExAX2_QAoBM8q3e05idU580Y/edit?usp=sharing

Here is what I have so far, every competitive State House race with Party, candidates on both sides, whether or not they are tea party vs establishment/business ( a big metric for tx gop) , and whether or not it has advanced to a runoff, will be adding more races soon.

For TX-08 put it as not tea party held. Brady has faced somewhat serious challenges twice in a row from people on his right.

[Terry the Fat Shark]

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1jzJWx-lnhLvlhbY5BNHExAX2_QAoBM8q3e05idU580Y/edit?usp=sharing

Here is what I have so far, every competitive State House race with Party, candidates on both sides, whether or not they are tea party vs establishment/business ( a big metric for tx gop) , and whether or not it has advanced to a runoff, will be adding more races soon.

For TX-08 put it as not tea party held. Brady has faced somewhat serious challenges twice in a row from people on his right.

Is he establishment though?

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1jzJWx-lnhLvlhbY5BNHExAX2_QAoBM8q3e05idU580Y/edit?usp=sharing

Here is what I have so far, every competitive State House race with Party, candidates on both sides, whether or not they are tea party vs establishment/business ( a big metric for tx gop) , and whether or not it has advanced to a runoff, will be adding more races soon.

If you would like, I could try to redraw the districts in DRA to get their PVIs.

that'd be cool, I am planning on doing state senate races (with competitive primaries) too

[Indy Texas]

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1jzJWx-lnhLvlhbY5BNHExAX2_QAoBM8q3e05idU580Y/edit?usp=sharing

Here is what I have so far, every competitive State House race with Party, candidates on both sides, whether or not they are tea party vs establishment/business ( a big metric for tx gop) , and whether or not it has advanced to a runoff, will be adding more races soon.

For TX-08 put it as not tea party held. Brady has faced somewhat serious challenges twice in a row from people on his right.

Is he establishment though?

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1jzJWx-lnhLvlhbY5BNHExAX2_QAoBM8q3e05idU580Y/edit?usp=sharing

Here is what I have so far, every competitive State House race with Party, candidates on both sides, whether or not they are tea party vs establishment/business ( a big metric for tx gop) , and whether or not it has advanced to a runoff, will be adding more races soon.

If you would like, I could try to redraw the districts in DRA to get their PVIs.

that'd be cool, I am planning on doing state senate races (with competitive primaries) too

Kevin Brady is extremely Establishment. He's your standard-issue Chamber of Commerce Republican. I lived in his district when I was little (or rather, it was drawn to include my house at one point, since we never moved) and when my class took a trip to DC, we got to meet him.

Also, on your spreadsheet, you need to list HD-150 as Tea Party held. Valoree Swanson is about as Tea Party as Tea Party can get. In 2016, she primaried a very conservative GOP incumbent who endorsed the Democratic candidate in the general election.

[Terry the Fat Shark]

Alright

https://www.texastribune.org/2018/02/15/texas-freedom-caucus-sees-opportunities-grow-2018-gop-primaries/

New article from Texas Tribune on the far right "Texas Freedom Caucus" (fun fact I live in one of their districts rip) and how they hope to grow, two of the races they are targeting are on the spreadsheet, Armin Mizani and Bo French for example.

I personally hope all of the members up fail

[Former Kentuckian]

The Austin Chronicle gave a half-hearted endorsement of Lupe Valdez over Andrew White: https://www.austinchronicle.com/news/2018-02-16/chronicle-endorsements/

[TheRocketRaccoon]

https://www.texastribune.org/2018/02/19/uttt-poll-clear-sailing-abbott-patrick-uncertain-waters-bush-miller

Soft primary numbers - Valdez 43, White 24 (this is after pushing undecideds; the margin is Valdez 18, White 11 otherwise)

[Former Kentuckian]

White is already on the air with an ad. Lupe has just filmed her first ad. Not sure how she's affording to our it, though. She had raised a little over $100,000 by the end of January, while White had about $1.3 million (including the million he loaned his campaign).

[Terry the Fat Shark]

Early voting starts tomorrow.

[Co-Chair Bagel23]

Go Valdez!

[Co-Chair Bagel23]

Am I the only one who thinks Abbott is a full fledged a*****e that is even worse than Ted Cruz?

[Gass3268]

Let's just say that Houston Democrats are very excited to vote this year:

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[Wisconsin SC Race 2019]

Let's just say that Houston Democrats are very excited to vote this year:

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...and lucky me (not), I'm gerrymandered in extremely skewed leg H & S districts as well as congressional, even while friends streets away are in great positions to have their vote make a difference. The HTX metro is one of the most segregated, I swear. I guess I'll try to look up the Gubernatorial candidates and see who appeals to me the best.

[Babeuf]

Am I the only one who thinks Abbott is a full fledged a*****e that is even worse than Ted Cruz?

I think they're both from the same strand of self-righteousness, but Abbott hasn't been that awful of a governor. Not enough to earn my vote, but still better than Cruz.

How much of that is Joe Straus stopping the worst bills from reaching his desk though?

[Co-Chair Bagel23]

Am I the only one who thinks Abbott is a full fledged a*****e that is even worse than Ted Cruz?

I think they're both from the same strand of self-righteousness, but Abbott hasn't been that awful of a governor. Not enough to earn my vote, but still better than Cruz.

How much of that is Joe Straus stopping the worst bills from reaching his desk though?

[Wisconsin SC Race 2019]

Am I the only one who thinks Abbott is a full fledged a*****e that is even worse than Ted Cruz?

I think they're both from the same strand of self-righteousness, but Abbott hasn't been that awful of a governor. Not enough to earn my vote, but still better than Cruz.

How much of that is Joe Straus stopping the worst bills from reaching his desk though?

As a Texan speaking, there's really not much more than can be done. The education/infrastructure budget was Kansas before there was Kansas. There's already no income tax, so it's not like there's much more conservatives could want in this state.

[Littlefinger]

Dems saw nearly 300% increase in turnout compared to 2014 while Reps saw 84% increase on day 1 of early voting in Tarrant county (Fort Worth/Arlington).

https://twitter.com/TXElects/status/966105527892758533

However, the number for Dems weren't great in Bexar county (San Antonio) as there was a 16% decrease in turnout while Reps saw a 38% increase compared to 2014.

https://twitter.com/TXElects/status/966141778914136065