Sen. Pete Flores (R-Pleasanton) and Reps. Mayes Middleton (R-Wallisville) and Tan Parker (R-Flower Mound) each released a statement rejecting the conservative LIBRE Initiative’s endorsement. All three cited the group’s support for amnesty for undocumented immigrants and emphasized they did not seek the group’s endorsement.

“I have a long track record of fighting against any effort to grant amnesty to those who entered America illegally,” Flores said in a statement. “I oppose any effort to establish programs that create shortcuts or allow certain people to jump the head of the line.”

Parker said in a statement that voters “know my record and will not be deceived” about his stance on border issues. “Any attempt to grant amnesty is in direct violation of my core conservative values,” Parker said. “I am 100% against any effort to establish programs that create shortcuts or allow certain people to jump to the head of the line.”

According to its website, the LIBRE Initiative supports a “permanent solution for Dreamers,” increased access to legal immigration channels and “a system that recognizes contributing members among the undocumented population, affording individuals an opportunity to come out of the shadows and get right with the law.”

The group jointly with Americans for Prosperity Action endorsed seven candidates on Friday:

• Flores in SD24 open (Likely R)
• Middleton in SD11 open (Likely R)
• Parker in SD12 open (Likely R)
• Adam Blanchard in HD122 open (Likely R)
• Laura Hill in HD93 open (Likely R)
• Hayden Padgett in HD70 open (Toss Up), and
• Kronda Thimesch in HD65 open (Likely R).

On Facebook, Hill posted that she was “proudly endorsed” by AFP Action but said nothing of LIBRE Initiative Action.

In a tweet, Thimesch said she was “proud to receive” the groups’ endorsements. Blanchard retweeted the slate of endorsements.

LIBRE Action, the political arm of LIBRE Initiative, is affiliated with AFP Action, which has spent millions of dollars in Texas races over the past few election cycles and pledged to spent “up to $1M to ensure these [endorsed] candidates clear their primaries in March.”

In a statement, the group said it was “disappointed some state Senate candidates accepted a false premise and description of our immigration position,” which the group said was “undoubtedly for the rule of law.” The endorsements would be withdrawn. “LIBRE Action and AFP Action stood ready to mobilize voters and support these candidates but will be withdrawing the endorsements for Parker, Flores and Middleton.”

‍LAND: The Houston Chronicle endorsed Rep. James White (R-Hillister) over Comm. Sid Miller (R).

‍RRC: The Houston Chronicle endorsed primary challenger Dawayne Tipton (R) over Comm. Wayne Christian (R).

‍HD64 (Safe R): The Dallas Morning News endorsed Rep. Lynn Stucky (R-Sanger).

‍HD65 open (Likely R): The Dallas Morning News endorsed Kronda Thimesch (R).

‍HD84 open (Likely R): Sen. Charles Perry (R-Lubbock) endorsed Carl Tepper (R).

‍CD28 (Lean D): The San Antonio Express-News endorsed primary challenger Jessica Cisneros over U.S. Rep. Henry Cuellar (D-Laredo). The paper recommended Willie Vasquez Ng in the Republican primary.

‍Austin: Tomorrow (Tuesday) is the special election to fill the unexpired term of D4 council member Greg Casar, who is running for open CD35 (Safe D). Fewer than 2K people cast ballots during the two-week early voting period, representing roughly 4.7% of registered voters.

‍Houston: Tomorrow (Tuesday) is the special election to fill the unexpired term of DG council member Greg Travis, who is running for open HD133 (Likely R). Just over 4K people cast ballots during the two-week early voting period, representing roughly 3.2% of registered voters.

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