(The Center Square) – Texas voters overwhelmingly reelected Republicans to the state legislature and to other statewide offices, gaining Republican votes in nearly all 254 counties. The wins include candidates endorsed by Gov. Greg Abbott who support school choice.
Abbott highlighted the significant gains Republicans made.
“We celebrate all the incredible, hard-fought victories that conservatives achieved throughout our great state in this year’s elections. These triumphs are about securing the future of our state to create a brighter, more prosperous Texas for the next generation,” Abbott said.
“Texans sent a clear message: they want safer streets, a secure border, a strong economy, and the opportunity to choose the best school for their children. And that’s exactly what these Republican candidates will deliver for their constituents, especially our new Republican allies who made history tonight by securing overwhelming victories in south Texas.”
A red wave swept through south Texas on Tuesday, ushering in historic Republican gains largely made by Hispanics in historically Democratic strongholds, The Center Square reported.
Republicans flipped a seat in the Texas Senate in south Texas in a region that overwhelmingly voted for President-elect Donald Trump. In SD 27, Republican Adam Hinojosa defeated incumbent Democrat Morgan LaMantia in a contentious and expensive race.
Hinojosa was endorsed by Trump, Abbott and Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick. After his win, Patrick welcomed him to the Texas Senate, saying, “His election is historic and ushers in a new era of Republican representation in South Texas and in the Valley. Adam is rock solid and will be a great addition to the Texas Senate. I look forward to working with him.”
Texans reelected all incumbent Republican and Democrat state senators except for LaMantia. Democrat Molly Cook won a seat in Houston vacated by former state Sen. John Whitmire, Houston’s new mayor. In north Texas, Brent Hagenbuch won an open seat.
Texas voters also reelected incumbent Railroad Commissioner Christi Craddick, a Republican, three Republican justices to the Texas Supreme Court, and three Republican judges to the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals, The Center Square reported.
They also elected an even number of Republicans and Democrats (4 each) to the State Board of Education.
Voters also ushered in 25 new Texas House Republicans who pledged to pass a school choice bill next year championed by Abbott.
“In the primary, I supported many Republican House candidates who support school choice. Most of them won,” Abbott said. “Democrats spent millions to beat those school choice candidates in November. They thought the public would reject school choice. They were wrong and lost all those races.”
On election night, Abbott said, “Every candidate that I backed in Texas House general election races won tonight. We even had Republican candidates win seats that had been held by Democrats. There are more than enough votes to pass school choice in Texas.”
The newly elected Texas House Republicans who say they support school choice are: Brent Money (HD 2), Daniel Alders (HD 6), Trey Wharton (HD 12), Paul Dyson (HD 14), Janis Holt (HD 18), Matt Morgan (HD 26), Jeffrey Barry (HD 29), AJ Lauderback (HD 30), Katrina Pierson (HD 33), Denise Villalobos (HD 34), Alan Schoolcraft (HD 44), Wes Virdell (HD 53), Hillary Hickland (HD 55), Pat Curry (HD 56), Helen Kerwin (HD 58), Mike Olcott (HD 60), Keresa Richardson (HD 61), Shelley Luther (HD 62), Andy Hopper (HD 64), Mitch Little (HD 65), Don McLaughlin (HD 80), Caroline Fairly (HD 87), David Lowe (HD 91), John McQueeney (HD 97) and Marc LaHood (HD 121).
McLaughlin and Hinojosa won in counties that have historically voted Democrat. McLaughlin flipped a seat that hadn’t been Republican in 20 years.
Crisscrossing the state, Abbott rallied behind pro-school choice candidates. “When Governor Abbott said we wouldn’t rest until school choice was the law of the land in Texas, he meant it. We held over a hundred events for candidates he endorsed. We spent countless hours on the road. And it paid off,” Abbott’s press secretary, Andrew Mahaleris, said.
At a school choice event in Tyler Wednesday, Abbott said, “School choice is wanted by all demographic groups in the state of Texas. Hispanics and African Americans in the state of Texas, they strongly support school choice. Those parents want an option. They know their child better than any government employee does, and they want to put their child on the pathway toward success. School choice improves educational opportunities for minority and low-income students. Texas is going to make sure they have that opportunity. With last night’s election results, Texas will finally be able to provide school choice for every Texan, while continuing to support our public schools and enhancing job training education to ensure our students are going to be successful in their future careers.”
School choice is among the top legislative priorities of Abbott for the next legislative session, which begins in January.
