(The Center Square) – Six open races are on the ballot in Texas after incumbent Republicans announced they were retiring last year after serving multiple terms, The Center Square reported.
The open seats represent roughly 10% of 51 open races in the U.S. House. Twenty-one Democrats and 30 Republicans aren’t running for re-election nationwide.
Multiple candidates are running to replace outgoing Republicans in primarily Republican strongholds. Many races in Texas are expected to go to runoff elections in newly redistricted districts statewide.
Early voting is underway. The primary election is March 3.
CD 8, replacing outgoing U.S. Rep. Morgan Lutrell, north Houston area suburbs
Eight candidates are running to replace Lutrell, who is retiring.
Two Democrats are running: Keith Coleman and Laura Jones. Six Republicans are running: Jay Fondren, Brett Jensen, Stephne Long, Jessica Steinmann, Nic Tran and Deddrick Wilmer.
Tran, a combat veteran who fought in three wars, has been calling out Democrats saying, “He’s tired of Americans saying they don’t belong in their own country.” He’s also been calling out Republicans as many constituents argue another Republican candidate was picked by political consultants to tow the establishment Republican Party line instead of representing their district.
CD 10, replacing outgoing U.S. Rep. Michael McCaul, Austin, Houston area suburbs
Thirteen candidates are running to replace McCaul, who is retiring.
Three Democrats are running: Dawn Marshall, Bernie Reyna and Caitlin Rourk.
Ten Republicans are running: Rob Altman, Ben Bius, Robert Brown, Jenny Garcia Sharon, Chris Gober, Brandon Hawbaker, Jessica Karlsruher, Kara King, Scott MacLeod and Jeremy Story.
CD 19, replacing outgoing U.S. Rep. Jodey Arrington, Texas panhandle
Eight candidates are running to replace Arrington, who is retiring.
Democrat Kyle Rable is running. Seven Republicans are running: James Barbee, Jason Corley, Abraham Enriquez, Donald May, Tom Sell, Matthew Smith and Ryan Zink.
CD 21, replacing outgoing U.S. Rep. Chip Roy, Hill Country region
Fifteen candidates are seeking to replace Roy, who is running for attorney general.
Dan McQueen is running as an Independent. Democrats Kristin Hook, Gary Taylor and Regina Vanburg are also running.
Twelve Republicans are running: Daniel Betts, Jason Cahill, Jacques DuBose, Ezekiel Enriquez, Weston Martinez, Paul Rojas, Kyle Sinclair, Mark Teixeira, Heather Tessmer, Trey Trainor, Peggy Wardlaw and Mike Wheeler.
CD 22, replacing outgoing U.S. Rep. Troy Nehls, southwest Houston area suburbs
Eight candidates are running to replace Nehls, who is retiring, including his identical twin brother, Trever Nehls, whom he has endorsed.
Demile James with the American Independent Party is running. Five Democrats are running in a rapidly changing area Democrats have targeted to flip. They include Chris Fernandez, Sterling Gadison, Marquette Greene-Scott, Robert Thomas and Pearl Vuorinen.
Nehls has one Republican challenger, Rebecca Clark, whom he’s expected to defeat.
CD 38, replacing outgoing U.S. Rep. Wesley Hunt, north Houston area suburbs
Fourteen candidates are running to replace Hunt, who is running for U.S. Senate. Hunt is challenging Republican incumbent U.S. Sen. John Cornyn.
Independent William Taggart and Democrats Theresa Courts, Marvalette Hunter and Melissa McDonough are running to replace Hunt.
Ten Republicans are also running: Avery Ayers, Jon Bonck, Shelly deZevallos, Craig Goralski, Barrett McNabb, Carmen Montiel, Michael Pratt, Larry Rubin, Jennifer Sundt and Jeff Yuna.
