Three candidates are officially in the race to replace U.S. Rep. Mac Thornberry (R–Clarendon), who is leaving office after 24 years of service, and several others are reportedly considering announcing their candidacy.
On the Democrat side, U.S. Navy veteran Greg Sagan has signed on to run for Thornberry’s seat in 2020. Sagan ran against Thornberry in the 2018 U.S. House race, receiving 17 percent of the vote against Thornberry’s 82 percent. Sagan is currently unopposed in the upcoming primary.
On the Republican side, Wichita Falls resident Monique Worthy and Dumas resident Vance Snider have both launched campaigns for the seat. Worthy is an outspoken conservative activist making her first bid for public office. Snider is a railroad conductor for BNSF Railway Company and a veteran of the U.S. Army.
In addition to Worthy and Snider, a handful of Republicans are either actively exploring bids for the seat or have expressed interest in running. Amarillo City Councilwoman Elaine Hays and Cooke County Judge Jason Brinkley have launched exploratory committees for potential congressional bids, while Texas Cattle Feeders Association’s governmental relations director Josh Winegarner is reported to be considering a run.
Libertarian Jack B. Westbook has also declared via social media that he is considering a bid for the seat. Westbrook challenged State Sen. Kel Seliger (R–Amarillo) in last year’s election for the Senate District 31 seat, winning 13 percent against Seliger’s 87 percent.
Candidates will begin filing for spots on the March 2020 primary ballot in November. The filing deadline is December 9.
