It’s time for the week that was in Texas politics with Alex Samuels, political reporter for The Texas Tribune.
In a closely watched runoff election for the Texas House this week, Democrats had hoped to score a victory that would signal their strength leading up to November. Republicans, meanwhile, had hoped to prove they’re still dominant in Texas politics. Samuels says Republicans hung onto the District 28 seat, as Gary Gates decisively defeated Eliz Markowitz.
“The election was nationally targeted, and it was a pretty disappointing loss for Democrats who had hoped to use the race to build momentum towards capturing control of the Texas house,” Samuels says.
As for the ongoing 2020 U.S. Senate race, incumbent John Cornyn announced this week that he has $12.1 million in the bank, and that he has collected $3 million in the past quarter. Among the 12 Democrats running to unseat Cornyn, only MJ Hegar announced fundraising numbers. She raised $1.1 million in the fourth quarter of 2019. She has $1 million cash-on-hand.
Presidential candidates are spending money in Texas. They include Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders, who will buy $2.5 million in television ads in Texas and California. He is also hiring five Texas field directors. And former New York City Mayor Mike Bloomberg came to El Paso this week, picking up endorsements from state Rep. César Blanco, former Mayor of Houston Bill White and former Mayor of El Paso John Cook.
Written by Shelly Brisbin.
