After Houston Republican Dwayne Bohac’s announcement that he will not seek re-election to the Texas House, there is a three-way contest in the GOP primary to succeed him in the northwest Houston-based House District 138, with Democrats also readying themselves in attempt to take the seat.
First on the ballot is Josh Flynn, a longtime Harris County conservative activist and the son of incumbent State Rep. Dan Flynn (R–Van). Thus far, Flynn has appeared to rack up the most support from Harris County Republican Party precinct chairs, but he’s also in the middle of a ballot eligibility dispute.
Josh Flynn
Harris County GOP Chairman Paul Simpson argues he is ineligible, and election law experts tell Texas Scorecard that Simpson is correct. Flynn, however, maintains Simpson was incorrect in determining his eligibility and has launched a legal battle to protect his place on the ballot.
Thus far in that battle, Flynn has been kept on the ballot, and the case has been abated until after the March 3 primary election.
Next on the ballot is Lacey Hull, a small business owner and co-founder of We the Parents, a parental rights organization. Hull is a known commodity as an activist in her community and in Austin. She is also known for volunteering for a number of conservative candidates across Texas.
Lacey Hull
Hull is running an active and aggressive campaign and has earned the most public support thus far, racking up endorsements from the establishment wing of the Republican Party (Texans for Lawsuit Reform, the C Club, the Houston Realty Business Coalition), incumbent lawmakers (State Reps. Mayes Middleton, Valoree Swanson, Cole Hefner, and Drew Springer), and several conservatives as well, such as the Texas Homeschool Coalition and Urban Reform’s Charles Blain.
Hull was also just recently endorsed by Gov. Greg Abbott.
Rounding out Republicans’ ballot at third is Claver Kamau-Imani, a longtime conservative activist and founder of Raging Elephants Radio. He has a strong history of advocacy for conservative causes, including protecting the unborn, passing constitutional carry, and fighting to limit government.
Kamau-Imani has secured the endorsements of Grassroots America – We The People, Texas Right to Life, and Texans for Toll-Free Highways. He has also been endorsed by State Rep. Kyle Biedermann (R–Fredericksburg).
Claver Kamau-Imani
Texans for Fiscal Responsibility has decided against issuing an endorsement in the race.
Likely headed to a runoff, whoever ultimately secures the Republican nomination will face a difficult task of holding the district against the Democrats in November.
In 2018, incumbent Bohac won re-election by only 47 votes.
The Republican primary election will take place on March 3, 2020. Early voting begins on February 18.
