Ballotpedia tracked four new state-level candidates in Texas between Oct. 16 and Oct. 22. This was two more candidates than the prior week.
One of those candidates is a Democrat and three are Republicans. All four candidates are running for state legislature in 2024.
Details on these candidates are below:
- Incumbent Trent Ashby (R) is running for Texas House of Representatives District 9. Ashby said, “I am honored to represent the people and communities of Deep East Texas, by protecting and promoting the rural values and strong conservative principles that we hold dear … During the 88th Legislative Session, we achieved tremendous victories like the largest property tax cut in history and historic investments in border security, school safety, election integrity, economic development, infrastructure and so much more … I’m eager to build on these successes and ensure our rural family values continue to drive Texas forward.”
- Dawn Richardson (D) is running for Texas House of Representatives District 54. Richardson said, “I have decided to run for this position because right now, they are trying to push vouchers … Oh, yes, they’re calling it educational savings accounts, but it’s a voucher — and it’s a voucher that’s going to take money out of our public school system. … As it is, we already spend $4,000 less than the national average per student … When that money is taken out and it goes with that student to wherever it goes, if that student comes back, where’s the accountability? Does that money come back? Or are we, again, having to educate with even less resources than we had when we started?”
- Devvie Duke (R) is running for Texas House of Representatives District 56. Duke said, “[I] was a leader in the commercial insurance industry in risk management for 35 years, and a military wife for over 20 while [my] husband served in the United States Navy. Others who run for office plan to make an impact when they get elected, but [I have] already been working hard, volunteering thousands of hours, to further conservative principles in Texas. … We don’t need another deep-pocketed politician. We need a tried-and-true Texan devoted to conservative Christian principles.”
- Trey Wharton (R) is running for Texas House of Representatives District 12. Wharton said, “I am very concerned about the direction of our country and the great State of Texas … Our district deserves an engaged leader who will stand true to our conservative values and protect what makes Texas the best place to live, work, and raise a family. … As an engaged leader, I will be consistent in communication, faithfully seen, and the voice our district needs … Public schools are a major driving force for each community in our district, however as a school board trustee, I understand the importance of accommodating learning opportunities for our children … As a successful business leader, I understand what it takes to make payroll, set priorities, and lead from the front.”
Since the beginning of the year, Ballotpedia has identified 49 candidates for state-level office in Texas. Seven hundred and fifty candidates ran for state-level office in Texas in 2022, while 582 ran in 2020. In 2022, 277 were Democratic, while 384 were Republican. In 2020, 270 were Democratic and 249 were Republican. Nationally, Ballotpedia has tracked 673 Democrats and 828 Republicans running for state-level office in 2023, and 217 Democrats and 279 Republicans running in 2024.
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