Patrick Announces New House Endorsements, Cruz and Allred Set Debate, GOP "Reformers" Rally Behind Phelan Challenger David Cook and Abbott Expands 2024 Support

Governor Abbott’s Latest Endorsements

Governor Greg Abbott has added to his list of endorsements for the 2024 Texas House and Senate races. Abbott’s most recent endorsements include:

• Adam Hinojosa (HD 49)

• Steven Kinard (HB 70)

• Denise Villalobos (HD 34)

• Keresa Richardson (HD 61)

• Robert Garza (HB 74)

• Matthew Morgan (HD 26)

• Andy Hopper (HD 26)

• Wes Virdell (HD 53)

• AJ Louderback (HD 30)

• Mitch Little (HD 65)

LT Governor Patrick's New Endorsements

LT Governor Dan Patrick has announced new endorsements including a mix of incumbents and candidates for Texas House districts. The full list of endorsements includes:

• Angie Chen Button (HD 112)

• Marc LaHood (HD 121)

• Mark Dorazio (HD 122)

• Charles Cunningham (HD 127)

• Dennis Paul (HD 129)

• Mike Schofield (HD 132)

• Kay Smith (HD 148)

• Valoree Swanson (HD 150)

• James Frank (HD 69)

• Steve Kinard (HD 70)

• Carrie Isaac (HD 73)

• Robert Garza (HD 74)

• Don McLaughlin (HD 80)

• Tom Craddick (HD 82)

• Carl Tepper (HD 84)

• John Smithee (HD 86)

• Caroline Fairly (HD 87)

• Candy Noble (HD 89)

• Nate Schatzline (HD 93)

• Tony Tinderholt (HD 94)

• David Cook (HD 96)

• Giovanni Capriglione (HD 98)

• John Lujan (HD 118)

• Tom Oliverson (HD 130)

Cruz and Allred Agree to Debate on October 15

Senator Ted Cruz and U.S. Representative Colin Allred have agreed to their first televised debate in the race for Cruz's U.S. Senate seat. The debate is scheduled for Tuesday, October 15, at 7:00 p.m. and will take place at WFAA's downtown Dallas studios. The hour-long debate will be broadcast on all 12 Texas stations owned by TEGNA, allowing statewide viewers to watch both on-air and online.

House Republicans to Meet in Austin for Speaker’s Race

A group of GOP House legislators convened in Austin today to coalesce behind one of the five Republican challengers to current House Speaker Dade Phelan. The meeting, which saw up to 50 Texas House members participate, followed the Texas GOP Caucus' multi-round voting process, requiring a two-thirds majority for a candidate to win outright. If no candidate meets the threshold, the lowest vote-getter is eliminated until two candidates remain, with the threshold dropping to three-fifths in later rounds if necessary.

After today's voting, Representatives Tom Oliverson, Shelby Slawson, James Frank, and John Smithee issued a joint statement announcing their support for Rep. David Cook as the preferred speaker candidate, suspending their own campaigns and urging their colleagues to unite behind Cook in the upcoming caucus vote in December.

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