2026 Primaries
Feb. 21st, 2026 03:46 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
livingdebIn Texas you can vote in either primary without having to be a party member. However, you may vote in only one party's primaries for the whole year and this disqualifies you from signing petitions for Independents or candidates from other other parties for the rest of the year. Of course in the general election you are not restricted by party.
This year I'll be voting in the Republican primary, to vote against certain Republican incumbents, but I've also gotten information on the Democrat primary so I'll include all that information below, for those of you who are voting for any of the same positions as I am.
Once again, my knowledgeable anonymous friend (who I'll refer to as "my friend") who keeps up with Democrat doings throughout the year has shared knowledge, though that's been a tough job this time. And if you have more information on anyone you'd love to recommend or oppose, I'd love to hear it.
US Senator
James Talarico (Dem) – He has experience in the Texas House and I like his policies. For example, 'Our border should be like a front porch—a giant welcome mat out front and a lock on the door. I'd propose modernizing ports of entry to detect threats before they enter the country, hiring more asylum judges to process cases quickly, stopping ICE abuses so they focus on deporting criminals instead of community members, passing the DREAM Act, and creating clear pathways to citizenship.' And he's made the national news trying to appear on the Colbert Report; the interview can be viewed on YouTube where the emphasis on his Christian background may help him be palatable to decent conservatives. Jasmine Crockett also completed the League of Women Voter's survey, but thinks we should increase the size of the Supreme Court again. I think that's cheating—I'd rather have term limits.
My friend says, 'If you've been reading these messages for any length of time, you'll have seen the profuse enthusiasm I have for James. He's someone I will support no matter what race he's running in, and I'm excited as hell to vote for him for Senator. That said, if you want to vote for Jasmine Crockett, do so. We have two great candidates here, but my vote goes to James.'
Gulrez "Gus" Khan (Rep) – I'd love to vote against incumbent Cornyn, though I like him a lot better than Ken Paxton. Cornyn mostly follows along with whatever Trump and Ted Cruz want; Paxton makes up even more extreme horrors and pressures Governor Abbott to follow along, and then sues everybody doing anything too decent. Khan has some ideas I like (integrity, accountability, transparency, 'a willingness to admit when something isn't working,' reducing some of the problems with health insurance) and some I don't (he loves tariffs and promoting gas and oil).
US Representative, District 37
Greg Casar (Dem) – This newly gerrymandered district includes both my current Rep who I love (Lloyd Doggett) and Casar, so Doggett is retiring. I've liked Casar as my city council member where his focus has always been on the little guy, especially job safety and housing costs. He was considered more to the left of other council members because he wanted to lower housing costs with denser building, including even apartment buildings of three stories, or even five! The horror! He's also an incumbent, and I see no reason to switch to someone else. My friend agrees: 'Greg is a strong candidate that we've watched from his days on Austin City Council, and he's great.'
Lauren Pena (Rep) – This district is gerrymandered for Democrats to win, but I like that Pena seems to have specific ideas rather than just platitudes. For example, In healthcare, she wants to increase price transparency, and prioritize patients and doctors over 'federal middlemen.' She also admits that we do want some immigration and the authorities should treat people humanely.
Texas Governor
Gina Hinajosa (Dem) – My friend says, 'This one's easy. I've known Gina for years, and she's wonderful. Let's put her over the top.' The Austin Chronicle agrees, saying they love everything about her.
Evelyn Brooks (Rep) – I'd love to vote against Greg Abbott who, with any pressure, succumbs to MAGA. And Brooks seems reasonable. She says she 'would limit state cooperation with federal [immigration] enforcement that threatens to take away the Constitutional rights, liberty, and privacy from Texans and state sovereignty. Due process must be given to all within our borders.' She seems pro-life, but prioritizes the woman's life.
Texas Lieutenant Governor
Vikki Goodwin (Dem) – My friend says, 'Four-term legislator in the TX House. Solid choice.'
Timothy Mabry (Rep) – It's great to vote against incumbent Dan Patrick. But I also like some of Mabry's policies. 'I support regulating, not criminalizing cannabis. Industrial, medical uses must be clearly separated. Medical access should allow low-potency products without excessive barriers. Recreational use should be treated like alcohol, with strict age limits and impairment testing. … Water policy must prioritize people, agriculture then business.' And he says he's 'skilled at bringing people with different views together to solve complex problems.'
Texas Attorney General
Nathan Johnson (Dem) – My friend says, 'I hate this race. I love Joe Jaworski, but I also love Nathan Johnson. I'm sad we lost him in the TX Senate, but he's great, and probably stands the best chance in November.'
Joan Huffman (Rep) - Glad to be getting rid of Ken Paxton, but the Republican candidates all look terrible to me. I know Chip Roy is a horror. Aaron Reitz certainly looks like one in his answers to the League of Women Voters. The others didn't bother to respond. Per https://texasscorecard.com/state/texas-attorney-general-candidates-spar-during-heated-debate/, Middleton and Reitz want to be seen as MAGA, and they still all seem horrible. 'Huffman later came under fire for her response to Reitz and Middleton’s intent to remove the “rogue” Democrat district attorneys in Dallas, Harris, and Travis counties from office for violating their oaths of office by refusing to prosecute crime.
Huffman implied that such an action “cannot be done on day one … or in the first month. It is a process.” She proceeded to point out that the “vast majority of the prosecutors in this state are great people” who have their constituents’ “best interests at heart.” ' So she gets my vote for not acting like a dictator.
Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts
Sarah Eckhardt (Dem) – My friend says, 'Another easy one. Sarah is a great person, and a great candidate. I'd love to see her serve statewide.' The Austin Chronicle agrees. I also heard some good things about her during an unrelated candidate forum.
Kelly Hancock (Rep) – I don't like any of the Republicans running, and normally I wouldn't choose someone endorsed by Greg Abbott, but Huffines is a horror (and endorsed by both Ted Cruz and Chip Roy, both worse than Abbott). It looks like we have a choice between pro-insurance bias, pro-oil bias, or pro-real estate bias. I'm choosing Hancock for being 'one of two GOP state senators who voted in favor of convicting Attorney General Ken Paxton on impeachment changes.' I got my information from https://www.texasmonthly.com/news-politics/texas-gop-comptroller-primary-don-huffines/.
Texas Commissioner of the General Land Office
Benjamin Flores (Dem) – From Ballotpedia, Flores explains that 'The Texas General Land Office generates revenue from state lands that flows into the Permanent School Fund,' so he wants to 'make sure we're getting maximum value from every lease and every acre. That means embracing innovation, welcoming renewable energy producers alongside oil and gas, and running tighter operations.' He also says, 'The federal government found that Hurricane Harvey recovery funds were distributed in a discriminatory way. That's a systems failure. Preventing systems failures is what my career [in cybersecurity and risk management] prepared me to do. … Most failures aren't surprises. They're predictable if you're paying attention. I want government to work the same way: transparent, accountable, and focused on preventing problems.'
Dawn Buckingham (Rep) – unopposed
Texas Commissioner of Agriculture
Clayton Tucker (Dem) – unopposed
Nate Sheets (Rep) – Sheets wants to reprioritize state food dollars toward Texas-grown produce and meat,' make it easier for farmers to sell directly to consumers, and 'Instead of subsidizing multi-national processed food companies, I'll use the state's buying power to buy from Texas farmers and ranchers—keeping dollars local.' And you get to vote against the incumbent Sid Miller, a MAGA Republican.
Texas Railroad Commissioner
Jon Rosenthal (Dem) – My friend says, 'Jon Rosenthal is unopposed. Loved him in the TX House, though.'
Hawk Dunlap (Rep) – He calls himself a conservative-libertarian and small government advocate yet is highly critical of the railroad commission’s approach toward regulating the oil and gas industry for being too lax. He wants to charge a tax of 10 cents a barrel for every barrel of oilfield wastewater injected underground commercially, both to increase income and to encourage other uses for that water such as to to cool data centers. (I got my information from https://www.texastribune.org/2026/02/09/texas-railroad-commission-primary-2026-guide-wright-rosenthal/)
Texas Chief Justice, Supreme Court
Maggie Ellis (Dem) – My friend says 'Currently on the 3rd Court of Appeals. Solid.'
Jimmy Blacklock (Rep) – unopposed
Texas Justice, Supreme Court Place 2
The Democrat and Republican candidates are unopposed.
Texas Justice, Supreme Court Place 7
Kristen Hawkins (Dem) – My friend says, 'Kristen Hawkins is a district court judge and will be good on the supreme court.'
Kyle Hawkins (Rep) - unopposed
Texas Justice, Supreme Court Place 8
Gisela Triana (Dem) – unopposed
Brett Busby (Rep) – unopposed
Texas, Judge, Court of Criminal Appeals Place 3, 4, and 9
All three have Democrats running unopposed.
Place 3 – Alison Fox (Rep) – She's the only Republican who responded to the LWV Guide and says she is pro-law, precedent, and Constitution. Reading https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/texas-court-criminal-appeals-primaries-who-running-and-what-know didn't change my mind.
Place 4 – Kevin Patrick Yeary (Rep) – unopposed
Place 9 – Jennifer Balido (Rep) – Based on the article referenced above and their two websites, the other candidate seems more extremist.
Texas Member, State Board of Education District 5
Allison Bush (Dem) – My friend says, 'Works well in conservative majorities, which I like. All of these candidates are really solid, which makes this a tough race to call.'
Mica Arellani (Rep) – unopposed.
Texas House of Representatives District 46
Sheryl Cole (Dem) – unopposed.
My friend has this to say about the other districts in Central Texas:
'HD-19: Javi Andrade. He answered the LWV Voters Guide. His opponent did not, Sometimes that's all it takes for me.
HD-47: Pooja Sethi. Former Travis County Democratic Party Chair, effective Chief of Staff in VIkki Goodwin's office, with loads of legislative experience.
HD-48: Donna Howard is unopposed.
HD-49: Montserrat Garibay. Her experience in Education is important, now that we won't have Gina Hinojosa in that seat.
HD-50: Jeremy Hendricks. Strong labor leader, solid dude.
HD-51: Lulu Flores is unopposed.'
No Republican candidate.
Texas Chief Justice, 15th Court of Appeals District
The Democrat and Republican candidates are unopposed.
Texas Justice, Fifteenth District Court of Appeals, Places 2 and 3
Democrats and Republicans are unopposed.
Texas Chief Justice, Third Court of Appeals District
The Democrat and Republican candidates are unopposed.
Texas District Judge, Judicial districts 147, 201, 250, 261, 299, 331, 403, 419, 455, 459
Democrats are unopposed.
No Republicans are running.
Travis County Judge
Andy Brown (Dem) – unopposed
No Republicans are running.
Travis County Judge, County Court at Law No. 1 – 7
Democrats are unopposed.
No Republicans are running.
Travis County Judge, Probate Court No. 1
Guy Herman (Dem) – unopposed
No Republicans are running.
Travis County District Clerk
Velva L. Price (Dem) - unopposed
No Republicans are running.
Travis County Clerk
Dyana Limon-Mercado (Dem) – unopposed, and she was the choice of the previous County Clerk, who I respected.
No Republicans are running.
Travis County Treasurer
Dolores Ortega Carter (Dem) – unopposed
No Republicans are running.
Travis County Justice of the Peace, Precinct 5
Tanisa Jeffers (Dem) – unopposed
No Republicans are running.
Travis County Party Chair
Doug Greco (Dem) – He's the incumbent and is the choice of both my friend and the Austin Chronicle.
Jennifer Fleck (Rep) - unopposed
Propositions
My friend says, 'Do what you will with the propositions. They aren't laws, they are wish lists from the party that, while lovely, don't do a thing. I almost always vote no on all of them, just because of how annoyed I got fielding calls about it when I was Executive Director of LWV Texas.'
In the first time I looked at these they all looked like they were trying to yank the chains of the other major party; this time they aren't all awful, though many are still unrealistic. I'm voting for 'There should be unicorns.' Just kidding--neither party has that one.
This year I'll be voting in the Republican primary, to vote against certain Republican incumbents, but I've also gotten information on the Democrat primary so I'll include all that information below, for those of you who are voting for any of the same positions as I am.
Once again, my knowledgeable anonymous friend (who I'll refer to as "my friend") who keeps up with Democrat doings throughout the year has shared knowledge, though that's been a tough job this time. And if you have more information on anyone you'd love to recommend or oppose, I'd love to hear it.
US Senator
James Talarico (Dem) – He has experience in the Texas House and I like his policies. For example, 'Our border should be like a front porch—a giant welcome mat out front and a lock on the door. I'd propose modernizing ports of entry to detect threats before they enter the country, hiring more asylum judges to process cases quickly, stopping ICE abuses so they focus on deporting criminals instead of community members, passing the DREAM Act, and creating clear pathways to citizenship.' And he's made the national news trying to appear on the Colbert Report; the interview can be viewed on YouTube where the emphasis on his Christian background may help him be palatable to decent conservatives. Jasmine Crockett also completed the League of Women Voter's survey, but thinks we should increase the size of the Supreme Court again. I think that's cheating—I'd rather have term limits.
My friend says, 'If you've been reading these messages for any length of time, you'll have seen the profuse enthusiasm I have for James. He's someone I will support no matter what race he's running in, and I'm excited as hell to vote for him for Senator. That said, if you want to vote for Jasmine Crockett, do so. We have two great candidates here, but my vote goes to James.'
Gulrez "Gus" Khan (Rep) – I'd love to vote against incumbent Cornyn, though I like him a lot better than Ken Paxton. Cornyn mostly follows along with whatever Trump and Ted Cruz want; Paxton makes up even more extreme horrors and pressures Governor Abbott to follow along, and then sues everybody doing anything too decent. Khan has some ideas I like (integrity, accountability, transparency, 'a willingness to admit when something isn't working,' reducing some of the problems with health insurance) and some I don't (he loves tariffs and promoting gas and oil).
US Representative, District 37
Greg Casar (Dem) – This newly gerrymandered district includes both my current Rep who I love (Lloyd Doggett) and Casar, so Doggett is retiring. I've liked Casar as my city council member where his focus has always been on the little guy, especially job safety and housing costs. He was considered more to the left of other council members because he wanted to lower housing costs with denser building, including even apartment buildings of three stories, or even five! The horror! He's also an incumbent, and I see no reason to switch to someone else. My friend agrees: 'Greg is a strong candidate that we've watched from his days on Austin City Council, and he's great.'
Lauren Pena (Rep) – This district is gerrymandered for Democrats to win, but I like that Pena seems to have specific ideas rather than just platitudes. For example, In healthcare, she wants to increase price transparency, and prioritize patients and doctors over 'federal middlemen.' She also admits that we do want some immigration and the authorities should treat people humanely.
Texas Governor
Gina Hinajosa (Dem) – My friend says, 'This one's easy. I've known Gina for years, and she's wonderful. Let's put her over the top.' The Austin Chronicle agrees, saying they love everything about her.
Evelyn Brooks (Rep) – I'd love to vote against Greg Abbott who, with any pressure, succumbs to MAGA. And Brooks seems reasonable. She says she 'would limit state cooperation with federal [immigration] enforcement that threatens to take away the Constitutional rights, liberty, and privacy from Texans and state sovereignty. Due process must be given to all within our borders.' She seems pro-life, but prioritizes the woman's life.
Texas Lieutenant Governor
Vikki Goodwin (Dem) – My friend says, 'Four-term legislator in the TX House. Solid choice.'
Timothy Mabry (Rep) – It's great to vote against incumbent Dan Patrick. But I also like some of Mabry's policies. 'I support regulating, not criminalizing cannabis. Industrial, medical uses must be clearly separated. Medical access should allow low-potency products without excessive barriers. Recreational use should be treated like alcohol, with strict age limits and impairment testing. … Water policy must prioritize people, agriculture then business.' And he says he's 'skilled at bringing people with different views together to solve complex problems.'
Texas Attorney General
Nathan Johnson (Dem) – My friend says, 'I hate this race. I love Joe Jaworski, but I also love Nathan Johnson. I'm sad we lost him in the TX Senate, but he's great, and probably stands the best chance in November.'
Joan Huffman (Rep) - Glad to be getting rid of Ken Paxton, but the Republican candidates all look terrible to me. I know Chip Roy is a horror. Aaron Reitz certainly looks like one in his answers to the League of Women Voters. The others didn't bother to respond. Per https://texasscorecard.com/state/texas-attorney-general-candidates-spar-during-heated-debate/, Middleton and Reitz want to be seen as MAGA, and they still all seem horrible. 'Huffman later came under fire for her response to Reitz and Middleton’s intent to remove the “rogue” Democrat district attorneys in Dallas, Harris, and Travis counties from office for violating their oaths of office by refusing to prosecute crime.
Huffman implied that such an action “cannot be done on day one … or in the first month. It is a process.” She proceeded to point out that the “vast majority of the prosecutors in this state are great people” who have their constituents’ “best interests at heart.” ' So she gets my vote for not acting like a dictator.
Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts
Sarah Eckhardt (Dem) – My friend says, 'Another easy one. Sarah is a great person, and a great candidate. I'd love to see her serve statewide.' The Austin Chronicle agrees. I also heard some good things about her during an unrelated candidate forum.
Kelly Hancock (Rep) – I don't like any of the Republicans running, and normally I wouldn't choose someone endorsed by Greg Abbott, but Huffines is a horror (and endorsed by both Ted Cruz and Chip Roy, both worse than Abbott). It looks like we have a choice between pro-insurance bias, pro-oil bias, or pro-real estate bias. I'm choosing Hancock for being 'one of two GOP state senators who voted in favor of convicting Attorney General Ken Paxton on impeachment changes.' I got my information from https://www.texasmonthly.com/news-politics/texas-gop-comptroller-primary-don-huffines/.
Texas Commissioner of the General Land Office
Benjamin Flores (Dem) – From Ballotpedia, Flores explains that 'The Texas General Land Office generates revenue from state lands that flows into the Permanent School Fund,' so he wants to 'make sure we're getting maximum value from every lease and every acre. That means embracing innovation, welcoming renewable energy producers alongside oil and gas, and running tighter operations.' He also says, 'The federal government found that Hurricane Harvey recovery funds were distributed in a discriminatory way. That's a systems failure. Preventing systems failures is what my career [in cybersecurity and risk management] prepared me to do. … Most failures aren't surprises. They're predictable if you're paying attention. I want government to work the same way: transparent, accountable, and focused on preventing problems.'
Dawn Buckingham (Rep) – unopposed
Texas Commissioner of Agriculture
Clayton Tucker (Dem) – unopposed
Nate Sheets (Rep) – Sheets wants to reprioritize state food dollars toward Texas-grown produce and meat,' make it easier for farmers to sell directly to consumers, and 'Instead of subsidizing multi-national processed food companies, I'll use the state's buying power to buy from Texas farmers and ranchers—keeping dollars local.' And you get to vote against the incumbent Sid Miller, a MAGA Republican.
Texas Railroad Commissioner
Jon Rosenthal (Dem) – My friend says, 'Jon Rosenthal is unopposed. Loved him in the TX House, though.'
Hawk Dunlap (Rep) – He calls himself a conservative-libertarian and small government advocate yet is highly critical of the railroad commission’s approach toward regulating the oil and gas industry for being too lax. He wants to charge a tax of 10 cents a barrel for every barrel of oilfield wastewater injected underground commercially, both to increase income and to encourage other uses for that water such as to to cool data centers. (I got my information from https://www.texastribune.org/2026/02/09/texas-railroad-commission-primary-2026-guide-wright-rosenthal/)
Texas Chief Justice, Supreme Court
Maggie Ellis (Dem) – My friend says 'Currently on the 3rd Court of Appeals. Solid.'
Jimmy Blacklock (Rep) – unopposed
Texas Justice, Supreme Court Place 2
The Democrat and Republican candidates are unopposed.
Texas Justice, Supreme Court Place 7
Kristen Hawkins (Dem) – My friend says, 'Kristen Hawkins is a district court judge and will be good on the supreme court.'
Kyle Hawkins (Rep) - unopposed
Texas Justice, Supreme Court Place 8
Gisela Triana (Dem) – unopposed
Brett Busby (Rep) – unopposed
Texas, Judge, Court of Criminal Appeals Place 3, 4, and 9
All three have Democrats running unopposed.
Place 3 – Alison Fox (Rep) – She's the only Republican who responded to the LWV Guide and says she is pro-law, precedent, and Constitution. Reading https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/texas-court-criminal-appeals-primaries-who-running-and-what-know didn't change my mind.
Place 4 – Kevin Patrick Yeary (Rep) – unopposed
Place 9 – Jennifer Balido (Rep) – Based on the article referenced above and their two websites, the other candidate seems more extremist.
Texas Member, State Board of Education District 5
Allison Bush (Dem) – My friend says, 'Works well in conservative majorities, which I like. All of these candidates are really solid, which makes this a tough race to call.'
Mica Arellani (Rep) – unopposed.
Texas House of Representatives District 46
Sheryl Cole (Dem) – unopposed.
My friend has this to say about the other districts in Central Texas:
'HD-19: Javi Andrade. He answered the LWV Voters Guide. His opponent did not, Sometimes that's all it takes for me.
HD-47: Pooja Sethi. Former Travis County Democratic Party Chair, effective Chief of Staff in VIkki Goodwin's office, with loads of legislative experience.
HD-48: Donna Howard is unopposed.
HD-49: Montserrat Garibay. Her experience in Education is important, now that we won't have Gina Hinojosa in that seat.
HD-50: Jeremy Hendricks. Strong labor leader, solid dude.
HD-51: Lulu Flores is unopposed.'
No Republican candidate.
Texas Chief Justice, 15th Court of Appeals District
The Democrat and Republican candidates are unopposed.
Texas Justice, Fifteenth District Court of Appeals, Places 2 and 3
Democrats and Republicans are unopposed.
Texas Chief Justice, Third Court of Appeals District
The Democrat and Republican candidates are unopposed.
Texas District Judge, Judicial districts 147, 201, 250, 261, 299, 331, 403, 419, 455, 459
Democrats are unopposed.
No Republicans are running.
Travis County Judge
Andy Brown (Dem) – unopposed
No Republicans are running.
Travis County Judge, County Court at Law No. 1 – 7
Democrats are unopposed.
No Republicans are running.
Travis County Judge, Probate Court No. 1
Guy Herman (Dem) – unopposed
No Republicans are running.
Travis County District Clerk
Velva L. Price (Dem) - unopposed
No Republicans are running.
Travis County Clerk
Dyana Limon-Mercado (Dem) – unopposed, and she was the choice of the previous County Clerk, who I respected.
No Republicans are running.
Travis County Treasurer
Dolores Ortega Carter (Dem) – unopposed
No Republicans are running.
Travis County Justice of the Peace, Precinct 5
Tanisa Jeffers (Dem) – unopposed
No Republicans are running.
Travis County Party Chair
Doug Greco (Dem) – He's the incumbent and is the choice of both my friend and the Austin Chronicle.
Jennifer Fleck (Rep) - unopposed
Propositions
My friend says, 'Do what you will with the propositions. They aren't laws, they are wish lists from the party that, while lovely, don't do a thing. I almost always vote no on all of them, just because of how annoyed I got fielding calls about it when I was Executive Director of LWV Texas.'
In the first time I looked at these they all looked like they were trying to yank the chains of the other major party; this time they aren't all awful, though many are still unrealistic. I'm voting for 'There should be unicorns.' Just kidding--neither party has that one.
