As Texans throughout the state prepare to vote in runoff elections for the statewide offices of attorney general, land commissioner, and railroad commissioner, Republicans also have 16 Texas House races and one Texas Senate race heading to the May runoff election.
Texas Gov. Greg Abbott has announced endorsements in several key legislative runoffs, largely siding with the establishment against conservative challengers.
Abbott has endorsed police officer Justin Berry for the open seat in House District 19. Berry has also received the endorsement of Texas AFT, a teachers union.
In House District 23, Abbott endorsed Patrick Gurski, who is running for an open seat against former State Board of Education member and State Republican Executive Committeewoman Terri Leo-Wilson.
Wilson, meanwhile, has the support of a number of conservative organizations such as Texas Right to Life, Texas Home School Coalition, and several members of the Texas Freedom Caucus.
In House District 52, Abbott endorsed legislative staffer Caroline Harris, stating, “Caroline Harris is a life-long conservative. Her experience working for conservative priorities with the Legislature will give her constituents a proven fighter with strong pro-life and Second Amendment credentials.”
Harris, who formerly worked for State. Sen Bryan Hughes (R–Mineola), is running against local conservative activist Patrick McGuiness.
Incumbent State. Rep. Glenn Rogers (R–Mineral Wells) received Abbott’s endorsement in House District 60 against grassroots challenger Mike Olcott.
Olcott is a longtime conservative activist in Parker County, while Rogers was one of the most liberal Republican freshmen in the Legislature last session.
House District 63 is an open seat with Flower Mound Councilman Ben Bumgarner receiving Abbott’s endorsement over Jeff Younger, who has been a leading activist statewide for ending child gender mutilation.
In the race for House District 70’s open seat, Abbott endorsed Jamee Jolly over businessman Eric Bowlin, while in the race for the Republican nomination for House District 73’s open seat, Abbott endorsed former New Braunfels Mayor Barron Casteel, who is running against nonprofit leader Carrie Isaac.
Isaac has been endorsed by many conservative organizations, as well as State Rep. Kyle Biedermann (R–Fredericksburg), who currently holds the seat.
For another open seat in House District 93, Abbott endorsed former Southlake Mayor Laura Hill over local activist Nate Schatzline. In a recent forum, Hill admitted to going to Austin multiple times to speak against property tax reform legislation while in office.
Other Abbott endorsees in the May runoff include Frederick Frazier (House District 61), incumbent State Reps. Kyle Kacal (House District 12), Stephanie Klick (House District 91), and Pete Flores (Senate District 24).
Notably, Abbott has so far declined to endorse in the three statewide runoff races.
Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton faces outgoing Texas Land Commissioner George P. Bush in the May runoff. Despite Paxton announcing his endorsement of Abbott last year, Abbott has refused to announce which candidate he supports in the race.
Former State Sen. Dawn Buckingham and Army veteran Dr. Tim Westley are competing for the Republican nomination to the open land commissioner office.
Incumbent Railroad Commissioner Wayne Christian faces oil and gas attorney Sarah Stogner in the runoff.
The Republican primary runoff election is slated for May 24.
Updated to include the latest Abbott endorsements.
