Former Senate Candidate Launches Super PAC
Former U.S. Senate candidate and labor activist Cristina Tzintzún Ramirez launched Latino Families Forward this week, a new super PAC formed “to mobilize the Latino community to vote for Democrats and flip Texas blue.”
The group announced support for the following Democratic Texas House candidates and incumbents:
- L. Sarah DeMerchant — HD 26
- Eliz Markowitz — HD 28
- Sharon Hirsch — HD 66
- Lorenzo Sanchez — HD 67
- Jeff Whitfield — HD 92
- Lydia Bean — HD 93
- Alisa Simmons — HD 94
- Joe Drago — HD 96
- Rep. Ana-Maria Ramos — HD 102
- Joanna Cattanach — HD 108
- Brandy Chambers — HD 112
- Rep. Rhetta Bowers — HD 113
- Rep. Gina Calanni — HD 132
- Ann Johnson — HD 134
- Rep. Jon Rosenthal — HD 135
- Akilah Bacy — HD 138
“1 in 3 Texas voters are Latino, which makes us a powerful political force in Texas,” says the PAC website. “Our power will continue growing as our numbers increase — but it all starts with turning out in November.”
Bipartisan Public Education Endorsements Released
The Texas First Coalition, a non-profit that asserts that “supporting public schools with classrooms of excellence is the most important thing we can do for the future of Texas,” announced its slate of legislative endorsements this week.
- Rep. Roland Gutierrez (D) — SD 19
- Rep. Keith Bell (R) — HD 4
- Rep. Cody Harris (R) — HD 8
- Glenn Rogers (R) — HD 60
- Rep. Reggie Smith (R) — HD 62
- Sharon Hirsch (D) — HD 66
- Rep. Drew Darby (R) — HD 72
- Claudia Ordaz-Perez (D) — HD 76
- Rep. Joe Moody (D) — HD 78
- Rep. Ken King (R) — HD 88
- Jeff Whitfield (D) — HD 92
- Lydia Bean (D) — HD 93
- Elizabeth Beck (D) — HD 97
- Rep. Charlie Geren (R) — HD 99
- Joanna Cattanach (D) — HD 108
- Brandy Chambers (D) — HD 112
- Rep. John Turner (D) — HD 114
- Rep. Julie Johnson (D) — HD 115
- Rep. Trey Martinez-Fischer (D) — HD 116
- Rep. Philip Cortez (D) — HD 117
- Rep. Steve Allison (R) — HD 121
- Rep. Dan Huberty (R) — HD 127
- Rep. Alma Allen (D) — HD 131
- Akilah Bacy (D) — HD 138
- Rep. Senfronia Thompson (D) — HD 141
New Campaign Ads
Forward Majority, a PAC focused on helping Democrats win state legislative races, released six attack ads this week as part of their $6.2 million effort to flip the Texas House. The spots target Republican candidates David Cook and Lacey Hull, and state Reps. Jeff Leach (R-Plano), Sarah Davis (R-West University Place), Gary Gates (R-Richmond), and Angie Chen Button (R-Richardson).
A new contrast ad from Rep. Chip Roy’s (R-TX-21) campaign was released this week, while the pro-choice women’s group Emily’s List released an attack against Roy in support of his Democratic challenger Wendy Davis.
The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee launched two spots targeting Republican challengers Tony Gonzales, running in the 23rd Congressional District, and Beth Van Duyne, running in the 24th Congressional District.
In the 7th Congressional District, Rep. Lizzie Fletcher (D-TX-07) received messaging backup in the form of an ad tying GOP challenger Wesley Hunt to President Trump, while the Republican’s spot featured a voter who had switched their allegiance from Fletcher to Hunt.
Rep. John Turner (D-Dallas) flipped House District 114 from red to blue in 2018 and seeks to defend his position with his first ad of the campaign cycle.
Democrat Celina Montoya, running in House District 121 to challenge Rep. Steve Allison (R-San Antonio), pledges to lower healthcare costs, expand Medicaid, lower property taxes, and raise teacher pay.
Republican Troy Nehls’ contrast ad focuses on his experience in law enforcement and alleges his opponent, Sri Preston Kulkarni, has taken “thousands” from groups that support defunding the police.
In #TX22, @SheriffTNehls up on Houston broadcast this week w/ contrast spot amid heavy air war among outside groups on both sides. @SriPKulkarni campaign has also been up, since Sept. 15. pic.twitter.com/kjaAW1uWWB
— Patrick Svitek (@PatrickSvitek) September 30, 2020
The National Republican Congressional Committee launched an attack against Democrat Gina Ortiz Jones in the 23rd Congressional District, lending help to GOP candidate Tony Gonzales.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uvD4LgCkrxo&feature=youtu.be
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McKenzie DiLullo
McKenzie DiLullo serves as Senior Editor and resident plate-spinner for The Texan. Previously, she worked as State Representative Kyle Biedermann’s Capitol Director during the 85th legislative session before moving to Fort Worth to manage Senator Konni Burton’s campaign. In her free time, you might find her enjoying dog memes, staring at mountains, or proctoring personality tests.
