Federal Race Results, Early Voting Extension, and Other General Election News Affecting Texas
Texas’ federal races continue to affect the state’s representation in Congress. An early voting extension and news of Democratic media buys round out the latest updates.
Run-off Results of Texas Federal Races
In the U.S. Congress District 17, former Congressman Pete Sessions won his run-off against Renee Swann to replace Congressman Bill Flores who is retiring. Sessions previously lost his seat in another district to Rep. Colin Allred in 2018. Rep. Bill Flores had endorsed Swann in the run-off.
In U.S. Congress District 13, Dr. Ronny Jackson won his run-off against cattle industry lobbyist Josh Winegarner to replace retiring U.S. Congressman Mac Thornberry. Dr. Jackson is the former physician to President Obama and President Trump. Jackson was ranked as a Rear Admiral in the U.S. Navy. Cong. Thornberry heavily endorsed Winegarner to be his predecessor.
A new record was set when a House Republican spent $8.3 million of her own money on her run for Congress. The enormous personal contribution did little to help her win the seat as she lost 70%-30% to Fort Bend County Sheriff Troy Nehls. Kathaleen Wall has spent at least $14.3M in the last two elections cycles in her attempt to be elected to the U.S. Congress. According to Jeremy Wallace with the Houston Chronicle, no Texan running for the U.S. House has ever spent more than Kathaleen Wall.
General Election News
Gov. Abbott recently ordered an extension for early voting for the November 3, 2020 General Election. The extension allows for an additional six days of early voting to begin on October 13th through October 30th.
The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee is reserving $2.2 million on Dallas broadcast for the fall, per Politico’s Playbook. The national Democratic group is trying to nab the seat being vacated by U.S. Rep. Kenny Marchant, R-Coppell, in the 24th Congressional District, and hold the seat currently represented by U.S. Rep. Colin Allred, D-Dallas. Candace Valenzuela is the Democratic nominee running for Marchant’s seat. She will face Republican Beth Van Duyne this fall. Dallas is the third Texas market in which the DCCC has announced fall reservations. The committee said earlier this month it was booking $424,500 of TV time in El Paso and $1.1 million in Houston.
Additionally, there are other reports of a PAC called Forward Majority PAC, organizing media buys for Democratic Texas House candidates to the tune of $3.4 million across the state.