White Resigns, Abbott Releases 1st General Election Ad
Jeff Blaylock
Rep. James White (R-Hillister) has resigned to become executive director of the Texas Funeral Services Comm. Redistricting shifted the district west of Austin, and White, who was paired with Rep. Trent Ashby (R-Lufkin), did not seek re-election.
If Gov. Greg Abbott (R) orders a special election to fill his unexpired term, it would likely coincide with the November general election and be run in HD19 as it has been configured for the past decade. The winner of such an election would serve only until January.
GOV (Likely R): Gov. Greg Abbott’s (R) campaign released its first general election ad, “Hard Work, Perseverance, Family.” First Lady Cecilia Abbott describes how her husband’s recovery from his paralyzing injury shaped his work ethic and love for his adopted daughter Audrey.
Democratic challenger Beto O’Rourke’s campaign is expected to go up on TV this week.
AG (Lean R): Former President Trump is hosting a fundraiser for Atty. Gen. Ken Paxton (R) at his Bedminster resort on Sept. 1.
CD34 (Lean D): The Texas Tribune’s Patrick Svitek reported U.S. Rep. Vicente Gonzalez (D-McAllen) and his wife claimed homestead exemptions on two residential properties from 2014 to 2021, saving the couple several thousand dollars in property taxes. Gonzalez called it an “oversight” that was “voluntarily corrected” last October.