Tag: texas

  • Texas’ U.S. House races to have the fewest candidates per seat this year since at least 2018

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    The filing deadline for candidates running for state or federal office in Texas was Dec. 13, 2021. Our team has been crunching the numbers on the filings and sent along a report. This year, 223 candidates are running for Texas’ 38 U.S. House seats, including 143 Republicans, 79 Democrats, and one independent candidate. That’s 5.87…

  • Two U.S. House members make endorsements in TX-28 Democratic primary

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    On Jan. 20, 2022, U.S. Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.) endorsed Jessica Cisneros in the Democratic primary for Texas’ 28th Congressional District. On Jan. 19, House Majority Whip Steny Hoyer (D-Md.) endorsed incumbent Henry Cuellar. Cuellar, Tannya Benavides, and Cisneros are running in the primary election on March 1. If no candidate receives a majority of…

  • Austin initiative to decriminalize marijuana and prohibit no-knock warrants submitted over 20,000 valid signatures to qualify for the ballot

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    Photo of the skyline of Austin, Texas

    On Jan. 10, the Austin City Clerk announced that an initiative to decriminalize marijuana and prohibit no-knock warrants had qualified for the ballot. Proponents submitted over 20,000 valid signatures meeting the required number to appear on the local ballot. The clerk used a random sampling method of 25% of signatures submitted or 8,334 raw signatures…

  • Texas State Rep. Ryan Guillen leaves Democratic Party, announces bid for re-election as a Republican

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    On Nov. 15, 2021, Texas State Rep. Ryan Guillen (R) announced he was leaving the Democratic Party. “After much thought and much prayer with my family, today I am announcing that I’ll proudly be running as a Republican to represent house district 31,” Guillen said in a press conference held with Texas Gov. Greg Abbott…

  • Texas Gov. Abbott appoints state supreme court justice

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    Texas Gov. Gregg Abbott (R) appointed Evan Young to the Texas State Supreme court on Nov. 1, 2021. Young assumed office on Nov. 9. Young’s appointment fills the vacancy created by Eva Guzman, who resigned from the court in June 2021 to run for Texas attorney general.  Under Texas law, the governor appoints a replacement…

  • Texas voters approve all eight constitutional amendments

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    All eight constitutional amendments in Texas were approved on Tuesday.  With 100% of precincts reporting, Proposition 1 was approved with 83.82% of the vote. The amendment authorizes professional sports team charitable foundations to conduct raffles at rodeo venues and includes professional association-sanctioned rodeos in the definition of a professional sports team. Proposition 2 was approved…

  • Republicans flip TX HD 118 in special election on Nov. 2

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    Republicans picked up a seat in the Texas House of Representatives on Nov. 2. In a special general runoff election in District 118, John Lujan (R) defeated Frank Ramirez (D) 51.2 percent to 48.8 percent. Once Lujan is sworn in, Republicans will hold an 84-66 majority in the chamber. District 118 is located in San…

  • Campaigns supporting and opposing Austin Proposition A report an additional $2 million in contributions 

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    On Nov. 2, voters in Austin, Texas will decide on Proposition A, an initiative designed to enact changes to police staffing, training, and demographic representation. The initiative would establish minimum police staffing and require there to be at least two police officers for every 1,000 residents of Austin; add an additional 40 hours of police…

  • Texas enacts new state legislative district maps

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    Texas enacted new state legislative districts on October 25, 2021, when Gov. Greg Abbott (R) signed proposals approved by the Texas House and Senate into law. These maps will take effect for Texas’ 2022 state legislative elections. The Senate Redistricting Committee released a draft of a Senate legislative map on September 18, 2021. A Senate…

  • Texas enacts new congressional districts

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    Texas enacted new congressional districts on October 25, 2021, when Gov. Greg Abbott (R) signed a proposal approved by the Texas House and Senate into law. This map will take effect for Texas’ 2022 congressional elections. Sen. Joan Huffman (R) proposed a congressional map on September 27, 2021, and the Senate approved an amended version…