Super PAC Provides $5M Boost to South Texas Republicans
Jeff Blaylock
The Congressional Leadership Fund Super PAC reserved more than $5M in advertising in the San Antonio market for CD28 ($3.9M) and CD15 ($2.2M). The Super PAC, which is aligned with U.S. House Republican leadership, announced a total of $125M in reservations, $111M of which was committed to seats currently held by Democrats.
In CD15 open (Toss Up), Monica De La Cruz-Hernandez (R) won a nine-way primary outright with 57% of the vote. She faces the winner of the Democratic runoff between Ruben Ramirez or Michelle Vallejo. De La Cruz-Hernandez raised more than $500K after her pre-primary campaign finance report, and she has raised $2.2M so far this cycle. In CD28 (Lean D), Cassy Garcia faces Sandra Whitten in the runoff for the Republican nomination. U.S. Rep. Henry Cuellar (D-Laredo) faces Jessica Cisneros in the Democratic runoff. A Cisneros victory would likely move the seat into the Toss Up category.
Early voting continues for the May 7 general, special and constitutional amendment elections. Fewer than 2% of Texas registered voters have cast ballots in person or by mail through Thursday, the fourth day of early voting, in the statewide constitutional amendment election.
Turnout for the HD147 (Safe D) special election is less than 1% with mail ballots accounting for 83% of all votes cast so far. In the March 1 primary, Jolanda Jones received 56% of the absentee vote, her best showing among any type of voters. Danielle Keys Bess received 17% of the absentee vote, her worst showing among any type of voters.
LAND (Likely R): Democratic gubernatorial nominee Beto O’Rourke endorsed Jay Kleberg (D) in the runoff over Sandragrace Martinez.
HD12 (Safe R): Rep. Mayes Middleton (R-Wallisville) endorsed runoff challenger Ben Bius (R) over Rep. Kyle Kacal (R-College Station). He is at least the third sitting legislator to back Bius, joining Reps. Ben Leman (R-Iola) and Steve Toth (R-The Woodlands).
CD15 open (Toss Up): In CD15, a new poll shows Michelle Vallejo leading Democratic runoff rival Ruben Ramirez, 43%-32% (49%-37% with leaners), before a series of positive statements, almost all about Ramirez, were read to respondents. The GBAO poll of 500 “likely” runoff voters was in the field April 13-18.
©2022 Texas Election Source LLC