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TX-18

Seven candidates were invited to Saturday’s Democratic candidate forum in the race to succeed the late Sheila Jackson Lee in TX-18: former Houston City Council Member Amanda Edwards, state Rep. Jarvis Johnson, state Rep. Christina Morales, Harris Country Democratic Party support manager Corisha Rogers, businessman Robert Slater, former Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner, and Rice University Associate Vice Provost Dr. Cortlan Wickliff. These seven were among the at least 15 candidates who expressed interest in running to the Harris County Democratic Party.

The seven candidates debated on topics including the state takeover of HISD, term limits, and overcrowding in the Harris Country jail. Turner, who has pledged to serve a maximum of two terms if elected, stands at the current frontrunner. Eighty-eight Democratic precinct chairs will vote on the replacement nominee for the general election tomorrow, Aug. 13.

School voucher hearing

Republican Public Education Committee Chair Brad Buckley is holding public hearings today and tomorrow on school vouchers and other topics, including the impact of uncertified teachers and early literacy and numeracy outcomes. The notice indicated that Buckley may limit testimony time, especially if it would cause the hearing to extend past 6pm.

Senate Race

Sen. Ted Cruz posted on X that while he has held six press conferences in the pass month, his Democratic challenger Colin Allred has held zero in the past 45 days.

In recent social media posts, Allred highlighted his co-sponsorship of the DISPOSE Act, which would establish the Precursor Chemical Destruction Initiative to fight drug trafficking in partnership with other countries. He also highlighted his work on prior legislation, including the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, the PACT Act (designed to expand health care to veterans harmed by toxic exposure) and the CHIPS Act (designed to increase investment in domestic semiconductor manufacturing).