By Hastings Wyman –
The Lone Star State will hold its primaries on March 6, the first primaries in the nation in the current election cycle. Runoffs will be held on May 22 in those contests in which no candidate receives a majority of the votes.
The 2nd, 3rd, 5th and 6th are all districts where a Republican incumbent is retiring. In these districts, the winner of the GOP primary is expected to prevail in November, so the Republican primaries are very competitive.
In the 7th, where US Rep. John Culberson (R) is a major Democratic target, the big battle is between the top two well-funded contenders (D), Alex Triantaphyis and Eliabeth Fletcher. But two other Democrats have raised significant cash and can’t be counted out. A runoff is a probability.
In the 18th District, where US Rep. Lamar Smith (R) is retiring, ten candidates have filed, seven Republicans and three Democrats. One insider calls it “chaos, impossible to predict.” On the GOP side, Bill Negley has raised the most money, but Chip Roy is a former chief of staff for Ted Cruz, who has campaigned with Roy. The San Antonio Express-News has endorsed Jenifer Sarver. Democrat Joe Kopser has raised more money than any Republican and is a safe bet to win his primary. Look for a major battle here in November.
In the 23rd, where Democrats hope to topple incumbent William Hurd (R), there is a competitive primary (D) between two candidates. This district will also host a heated contest in the fall.
In the 27th District, incumbent Blake Farenthold (R) is retiring under a sexual harassment cloud. Bech Bruun (R) is close to the GOP establishment in the district and a heavy favorite in the primary.
In the 29th, a Democratic district where US Rep. Gene Green (D) is retiring, the top fundraiser is Tahir Javed, but state Sen. Sylvia Garcia has strong organizational support.
And in the 32nd District, incumbent Pete Sessions (R) is way ahead in building a war chest, but Democrats are hot on his trail. The top Democratic fundraiser is Edward Meier. Says an insider, this district “could go Democratic with a blue wave.”
District/candidates Cash on hand
TX 2: Open
Kathaleen Wall/R $2,310,000
Kevin Roberts/R 445,000
Rick Walker/R 254,000
Jonathan Havens/R 95,000
David Balat/R 83,000
Daniel Crenshaw/R 74,000
Todd Catlett/D 235,000
TX 3: Open
Van Taylor/R $901,000
David Niederkorn/R 45,000
Adam Bell/D 180,000
Lorie Burch/D 23,000
TX 5: Open
Bunni PoundsR $197,000
Lance Gooden/R 86,000
Jason Wright/R 94,000
Kenneth Sheets/R 82,000
TX 6: Open
Jake Ellzey/R $66,000
Shannon Dubberly/R 39,000
Ron Wright/R 22,000
Jana Lynne Sanchez/D 43,000
Ruby Faye Woolridge/D 34,000
TX 7: John Culberson/R* $596,000
Alex Triantaphyllis/D 634,000
Elizabeth Fletcher/D 437,000
Laura Moser/D 329,000
Jason Westin/D 250,000
TX 16: Open
Dori Fenenbock/D $451,000
Veronica Escobar/D 402,000
TX 21: Open
Bill Negley/R $218,000
Chip Roy/R 195,000
Brian Matthew McCall/R 105,000
Jason Isaac/R 104,000
Jenifer Sarver/R 84,000
Bob Stovall/R 44,000
Joe Kopser/D 337,000
Elliott McFadden/D 31,000
TX 23: William Hurd/R* $1,100,000
Jay Hulings/D 281,000
Gina Ortiz Jones/D 169,000
TX 26: Michael Burgess/R* $756,000
Veronica Birkenstock/R 12,000
TX 27: Open
Bech Bruun/R 119,000
Michael Cloud/R 33,000
TX 29: Open
Tahir Javed/D $553,000
Sylvia Garcia/D 210,000
TX 31: John Carter/R* $404,000
Kent Lester/D 148,000
Mary Jennings “MJ” Hegar/D 81,000
TX 32: Pete Sessions/R* $1,298,000
Edward Meier/D 500,000
Lillian Salerno/D 157,000
Colin Allred/D 128,000