With The Filing Period Closed, 2018 Campaigns Are Taking Shape

This week in Texas politics with the Texas Tribune.

By Rhonda FanningDecember 15, 2017 12:19 pm, , ,

Time for the week that was in Texas politics with Matthew Watkins, breaking news editor of the Texas Tribune.

This week, Rep. Blake Farenthold announced that he won’t run for reelection after all.

“This came after considerable pressure from Republican leaders in Washington and in Texas, after allegations of hostile work environment, verbally abusive and demeaning behavior,” Watkins says. “Basically, another person brought down by this growing #MeToo movement.”

Farenthold was already facing Republican primary challengers, and at this point he can’t be taken off the ballot formally because the filing deadline has passed.

Now that the deadline has gone, Watkins says, “The big takeaway for me is just the lack of big name statewide Democrats.” He says Rep. Beto O’Rourke is an energized Senate candidate, but Governor Abbott’s challenger, Lupe Valdez, isn’t particularly well known.

Listen to the full interview in the audio player above.

Written by Jen Rice.