GOP State Representative Withdraws Support of Abbott
State Rep. Steve Toth (R-The Woodlands) released a blistering statement announcing the withdrawal of his support and approval of Republican Governor Greg Abbott this week due to his handling of the state’s coronavirus response.
“Having exhausted every attempt at persuasion, I am writing to inform you of my decision to withdraw my support for your leadership as the elected Governor of the State of Texas,” wrote Toth.
“What has become clear [is] that you have no plan for how and when to end this nightmare. Stop using polling data to shape your response instead of using the ample downward data on hospitalizations and new infections.”
To date, Toth has been largely unafraid of voicing discontent with actions of state leaders during his tenure in the legislature, and has been critical of Abbott’s coronavirus response and subsequent government induced lockdowns that stalled the state’s economic growth.
Congressional Campaign Ads
Congressman Dan Crenshaw (R-TX-02) released an untraditional joint campaign ad featuring some of the Texas GOP’s most prominent congressional challengers.
Democrat Wendy Davis featured her now-famous filibuster in a positive spot while VoteVets, a left-leaning veterans advocacy group, released an attack against Rep. Chip Roy (R-TX-21), the incumbent Davis is challenging.
Gina Ortiz Jones, a Democrat running for the 23rd Congressional District, touted her experience in intelligence and released her first Spanish-speaking ad of the cycle.
Meanwhile, Tony Gonzales, the Republican set to face off against Jones, talked healthcare and preexisting conditions, citing his own experience on the operating table.
Democrat Candace Valenzuela, running in Texas’ 24th Congressional District, released her first television ad and centered on public education.
In another healthcare-centric spot, Julie Oliver, running as the Democrat candidate in the 25th Congressional District, featured her son Brack’s health complications.
The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee attacked Republican Troy Nehls’ record as a law enforcement officer, lending a helping hand to his opponent, Sri Preston Kulkarni.
State Level Campaign Ads
Running in House District 67, Democrat Lorenzo Sanchez launched a spot focused on funding for public education.
Democrat Joe Drago launched a quirky ad in his bid for House District 96 poking fun at “typical” campaign ads, while promising not to be a “typical” politician.
Rep. Craig Goldman (R-Fort Worth) focused on the passage of Molly Jane’s Law, and featured the mother of the bill’s namesake.
Representing one of the most endangered Republican districts, Rep. Morgan Meyer (R-Dallas) opted to concentrate on “common ground” issues, like pandemic recovery, education, and public safety.
House District 113’s Republican challenger Will Douglas touted his experience as a pharmacist and included messaging on unity in the midst of the coronavirus pandemic.
Republican Luisa del Rosal focused on opportunities for Texas women and voiced support for additional funding for women’s healthcare in her run for House District 114.
State Rep. Jon Rosenthal (D-Houston) cited his experience as a mechanical engineer in his first television ad of the election cycle.
Democrat Chrysta Castaneda is running for one of the three spots on the Texas Railroad Commission, and attacked her GOP opponent Jim Wright over legal allegations.
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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.
