Texas
Welcome to the Texas state page! Here, Texas organizers can access and document ongoing projects, current leadership positions, upcoming races, and other important information. This list is non-exhaustive, and state teams are encouraged to expand and adapt these pages to their organizing needs.
Political Landscape of Texas
Partisan Composition of Texas
Overall, Texas is considered a slightly red state, with a Cook PVI of R+5 as of 2022, regularly voting 50-55% Republican in statewide races. Both their US senators and governorship are Republican, while their US House delegation consists of 13 Democrats and 25 Republicans. Gerrymandering is a major issue here on the federal level. Republicans also have majorities in the state house (86-64) and state senate (19-12) as of 2/8/24.
Progressive Outlook for Texas
The overall progressive strategy for Texas is troubled. The Republican state legislature and governor Abbott regularly disregard human lives and citizen-led ballot measures can't stop them from doing so. The breath of hope is that Democrats are getting closer to flipping the state and Texas represents the most likely flipping opportunity in 2024, with the incumbent being disliked and the state becoming more blue over time. The approach is two-pronged for activists - to primary out Texas's more conservative Democrats in blue seat primaries, and to help whichever Democrat wins the primary against Republicans in swing districts - both actions will move Texas leftward. Helping Cruz's challenger would also increase turnout for local or state races where progressives can build strength in more urban areas. The goal is ultimately to make Texas a swing state and make statewide Republicans fearful of losing, and eventually to implement fair maps as there's a long history of gerrymandering from the majority party.
Get Involved
Register to Vote in Texas
Progressive Organizations in Texas
Below is a list of progressive organizations in Texas. If you see a state organization that isn't on this list, please add it.
Notable Campaigns in 2024
Below is a list of progressive candidates or ballot measures in the 2024 election cycle for Texas. Non-progressive candidates may also be placed here if they are substantially to the left of their district's partisan lean and worth campaigning for. If you see a candidate or ballot measure that should be on this list, please add them.
March 5th Primary Election (Filing Deadline December 11th 2023)
Other blue US House districts with primary challengers - TX-7 (one), TX-16 (one), TX-18 (two), TX-30 (two), TX-33 (one), and TX-37 (two). If the primary challengers are more progressive, please list them here.
- US House TX-32: This is an open primary in a blue seat, so a PRIME opportunity to elect a progressive to the house.
May 28th Primary Runoff Election
In Texas, if no candidate gets over 50% of the votes in the primary, a runoff election is held with the two primary candidates who had the most votes. These races will be listed below pending March 5th, most likely only TX-32.
November 5th General Election
There are only a few seats in Texas that could go either way, and I've made sure to list them on the federal level.
- US Senate: Cruz's senate seat is the most vulnerable Republican seat of the 2024 election cycle, so helping the winner of the Democrat primary is vital here no matter who they are. To be updated pending results of the March 5th primary election.
- TX-15: Incumbent Monica De La Cruz (R) won this seat by less than 10% in 2022. As such, this seat is flippable in 2024 and whoever wins could use your support! To be updated after March 5th.
- Henry Cuellar for US House TX-28: It's no secret that Cuellar doesn't inspire joy from a progressive perspective, particularly for his views on abortion. However, he's very strong electorally and the only one who ran in the Democrat primary. Keeping the house blue is a priority, so if you're in the area he could use your support!
- Vincente Gonzalez for US House TX-34: Gonzalez is the current incumbent and the only one who ran in TX-34's primary. He won by less than 10% in 2022, so that's why he's listed here.
Run for Local Office
An underrated way to impact change is to run for a local position! Please feel free to add information on doing so below.