Candidates for the 85Th Texas Senate

Candidates for the 85th Texas Senate

November 14, 2015 Filing Begins December 14, 2015 6:00 pm Filing Ends Feb 16 - 26, 2016 Early Voting for Primary March 1, 2016 Primary March 12, 2016 Libertarian County Conventions March 26, 2016 Libertarian District Conventions April 9, 2016 Libertarian Party Convention May , 2016 Early Voting for Run Off May , 2016 Primary Run Off Oct. 24 – Nov. 4, 2016 Early Voting for General Election November 8, 2016 General Election November 14, 2016 Prefiling Starts

Disclaimer: This document has been compiled by from various sources, may not be complete and is for informational purposes only. There is no representation as to accuracy. Demographic numbers are from the 2010 U.S. Census and represent voting age population. As of November 2, 2015

PRIMARY CHALLENGERS GENERAL CHALLENGERS BOTH LEAVING NEW MEMBERS RETURNING 1. SD 1 3. Bettencourt 1. Eltife 1. SD 1 2. SD 24 4. Burton 2. Fraser 2. SD24 5. Campbell 6. Estes 7. Hall 8. Hancock 9. Huffines 10. Huffman 11. Nichols 12. Seliger 13. Schwertner 14. Watson 15. West 16. Whitmire

2 = 13% of those up for = % = % = 6% = % 16 = 52% election

Total Challenged: = % Members Known= 16 = 52%

Dist Notes on Dist Incumbent Party Terms served Notes on Incumbent Notes on Republican Challengers Primary Outcomes Notes on Democrat Challengers Primary Election Outcomes (using Compt. Outcomes race.) 17.2 % B ELTIFE Jack “Red” Brown – Lindale 1 R TX Senate – 57, Tyler BROWN REPUBLICAN 10.5% H 2004 – present Former Mayor & member of President and Managing Partner of TX Water Systems, 4.3 %HCVAP a private water utility company in Tyler. First Army NOT the THECB Deputy Commanding General of Operations of the US % 2.0 %O RUNNING (Elected in a Owns Realtors Office Army Reserves which is responsible for assisting with % 29.8 % D FOR special session training, readiness, and mobilization of Army National DEMOCRAT

69.5 % R REELECTION to replace Sen. Married with two sons Guard and Reserve Units in the US. President of the LISD, Chairman of Lindale Eco Devo Corp, Member 0.6 %L Ratliff) GOLDEN % of BoD of Boys & Girls Clubs of ETX, Lindale CoC, Term expires * and is active in the Lindale First United Methodist LIBERTARIAN 12-31-2016 Church. Married to Jane with daughter Hannah. % % Dennis Golden – 61, Carthage Optometrist, Chief of Staff for Golden Eye Assoc. HUGHES GREEN Member of the Medical Staff at ETMC

Former Secretary of the Texas Higher Education %

Coordinating Board (’09 – ’15) and UH Regent (’04- % ’09), Member Board of Trustees for Panola College for 21 years, 6 as Chair Announced 6-16-15 SIMPSON

Bryan Hughes – 47, Mineola Trial Attorney (formerly with Sadler Law Firm) % TX House 2003 - 2016 Endorsed by TLR, Ken Paxton, Sid Miller, David Barton, Tim Lambert, Jonathan Saenz and Rep. Co Chairs for Harrison, Red River, Franklin, Titus, Camp, Morris and Wood Cos. and JoAnn Flemming’s We The People. Endorsed by Lt. Gov., TLR Facebook Twitter Announced

David Simpson – 55, Longview Tree Farmer and Business Owner Former Mayor of Avinger 1993-1998 TX House 2011 – 2016 Endorsed by Gregg Co Rep. Chair and several activists and pastors. Endorsed by Konni Burton Facebook Twitter Announced

Dist Notes on Dist Incumbent Party Terms served Notes on Incumbent Notes on Republican Challengers Primary Outcomes Notes on Democrat Challengers Primary Election Outcomes (using Compt. Outcomes race.) 12.1% B 74, Edgewood NOT UP FOR REELECTION 2 HALL- R TX Senate NOT UP FOR REELECTION REPUBLICAN 22.3% H 2015 - present Retired USAF Captain. 11.9%HCVAP Tried to run against Deuell % 3.5%O in 2012, but did not meet 38.2% D residency requirements as he DEMOCRAT 60.8% R had just moved in the area. Has founded the Canton Tea 0.7%L % Party and become very Term expires * involved in the Tea Party 12-31-2018 LIBERTARIAN movement in the last two years. % Votebobhall.com, FB GREEN

12.5 % B 3 NICHOLS- R TX Senate - 72, Jacksonville NOT UP FOR REELECTION NOT UP FOR REELECTION REPUBLICAN 10.6 % H 2007 - present Owner of 4 plastics NICHOLS

5.3 %HCVAP manufacturing plants 1.7 %O Former Mayor of % 27.9 % D Jacksonville 71.1 % R Former Texas DEMOCRAT 0.7 %L Transportation Commr. Term expires * % 12-31-2018 LIBERTARIAN

GREEN

Dist Notes on Dist Incumbent Party Terms served Notes on Incumbent Notes on Republican Challengers Primary Outcomes Notes on Democrat Challengers Primary Election Outcomes (using Compt. Outcomes race.) 14.0 % B BRANDON CREIGHTON 4 R TX Senate- 46, Conroe REPUBLICAN 16.5 % H CREIGHTON 2015 - present Owns Law Firm 8.6 %HCVAP VP of Water District and % % 3.7 %O Facebook TX House - serves on other 32.2 % D 2007-2015 DEMOCRAT community boards. 67.0 % R Twitter Former Senate 0.6 %L % Committee staffer and Term expires * ANNOUNCED TX & Ok. Atty General LIBERTARIAN 12-31-2016 Atty. % Consultant: Blakemore GREEN Endorsed by Lt. Gov %

10.3 % B TX SENATE 46, Georgetown NOT UP FOR REELECTION NOT UP FOR REELECTION 5 SCHWERTNER R REPUBLICAN 18.9 % H 2013-present Orthopedic Surgeon. Old 13.0 %HCVAP TX HOUSE - WilCo family. Married to % 5.1 %O 2011 - Present an ObGyn 38.8 % D DEMOCRAT Consultant: Allen 59.7 % R Blakemore 1.1 %L % Term expires * LIBERTARIAN 12-31-2018 %

GREEN

Dist Notes on Dist Incumbent Party Terms served Notes on Incumbent Notes on Republican Challengers Primary Outcomes Notes on Democrat Challengers Primary Election Outcomes (using Compt. Outcomes race.) 12.5 % B TX SENATE 66, Houston GARCIA 6 SYLVIA D REPUBLICAN Attorney 70.0 % H GARCIA 2013-present Former Harris County % 53.0 %HCVAP % Commissioner, Comptroller 2.6 %O for the City of Houston, DEMOCRAT 63.5 % D Facebook Director and Presiding Judge

35.8 % R of the Houston Municipal

0.6 %L System % Term expires * Twitter

12-31-2016 LIBERTARIAN

GREEN

12.1 % B 7 BETTENCOURT R TX Senate 58, Houston NOT UP FOR REELECTION NOT UP FOR REELECTION REPUBLICAN 23.4 % H 2015 - present CEO of Bettencourt Tax 14.9 %HCVAP % Advisors LLC. 9.3 %O

33.0 % D Former Harris County Tax DEMOCRAT 66.2 % R Collector Assessor for 10 0.6 %L years. Conservative activist Term expires * and radio/TV personality % who champions lower taxes 12-31-2016 and fiscal responsibility. LIBERTARIAN Harris Co GOP Vice Chair and Treasurer, National % Party Delegate in 2000, 2004, and 2008 and GREEN Presidential electorate in 2012. Married to Susan with % two children. Catholic. Consultant: Blakemore www.paulbettencourt.com

Dist Notes on Dist Incumbent Party Terms served Notes on Incumbent Notes on Republican Challengers Primary Outcomes Notes on Democrat Challengers Primary Election Outcomes (using Compt. Outcomes race.) 10.1 % B 44, Dallas 8 VAN R TX Senate NOT UP FOR REELECTION NOT UP FOR REELECTION REPUBLICAN 14.2 % H TAYLOR- Churchill Capitol 2015 - present 8.5 %HCVAP Company, real estate % 13.9 %O TX House - investment. Former 39.3 % D Rumored to be 2011-2015 Marine. Harvard DEMOCRAT considering a 59.5 % R graduate. 0.7 %L run for CD 3 Term expires * %

12-31-2018 LIBERTARIAN

GREEN

11.6% B TX SENATE NOT UP FOR REELECTION NOT UP FOR REELECTION 9 HANCOCK R 53, Richland Hills (male) REPUBLICAN 28.4% H 2013 – present Owns Advanced 17.1%HCVAP TX House Chemical Logistics % 7.4%O 2007 – present North Richland Hills ISD 41.3% D DEMOCRAT Member (13 yrs) 57.8% R 0.7%L Consultant: Murphy % Term expires * Turner LIBERTARIAN

12-31-2018 %

GREEN

Dist Notes on Dist Incumbent Party Terms served Notes on Incumbent Notes on Republican Challengers Primary Outcomes Notes on Democrat Challengers Primary Election Outcomes (using Compt. Outcomes race.) 17.9% B BURTON 53, Colleyville NOT UP FOR REELECTION NOT UP FOR REELECTION 10 R TX Senate - REPUBLICAN 24.8% H 2015 - present BBA in Marketing from 15.5%HCVAP UNT. Used to have a % 4.9 %O wedding consulting 47.1% D business, but has been a stay DEMOCRAT 52.1% R at home mom with two adopted children. VP of NE 0.6%L % Tarrant Tea Party and Term expires * member of the Tea Party LIBERTARIAN 12-31-2018 Advisory Committee for the Tea Party Caucus. % Lutheran. Married to Phil. GREEN

10.9 % B TAYLOR 11 LARRY R TX Senate 56, Friendswood REPUBLICAN 22.9 % H TAYLOR 16.6 %HCVAP 2013- present Former Mayor Protem of % % 6.9 %O Friendswood. On water TX House – 36.5 % D Facebook planning board. Owns an DEMOCRAT 2003 -2012 insurance company. 62.6 % R 0.7 %L larry-taylor.com. % Twitter Endorsed by TLR, Empower Texans.YCT, LIBERTARIAN Term expires * TAB, 12-31-2016 %

Endorsed by Lt. Gov GREEN

Dist Notes on Dist Incumbent Party Terms served Notes on Incumbent Notes on Republican Challengers Primary Outcomes Notes on Democrat Challengers Primary Election Outcomes (using Compt. Outcomes race.) 8.0% B 12 JANE R TX Senate - 65, Flower Mound NELSON REPUBLICAN 17.0% H NELSON 1993 - present Retired teacher, Co-Owner

11.1%HCVAP of Maywood a manufacturer %

7.2%O of precision aircraft % 36.1% D Facebook components for aerospace DEMOCRAT industry 63.0% R 0.7%L janenelson.org % Twitter 78thR President Pro Tem of LIBERTARIAN Term expires * Senate % 12-31-2016 Endorsed by Lt. Gov. ANNOUNCED GREEN

44.3 % B 13 RODNEY D TX Senate - 62, Houston ELLIS REPUBLICAN 34.4 % H ELLIS 1990 - present Atty and Owner of Apex

16.1 %HCVAP Securities and Apex 9.5 %O Advisors (investment % % 83.1 % D banking) Served as a temp. Facebook 16.4 % R Lt. Gov when Bush was DEMOCRAT 0.3 %L Twitter elected to President. Flickr Married. %

Term expires * You Tube LIBERTARIAN 12-31-2016

GREEN

Dist Notes on Dist Incumbent Party Terms served Notes on Incumbent Notes on Republican Challengers Primary Outcomes Notes on Democrat Challengers Primary Election Outcomes (using Compt. Outcomes race.) 9.4 % B 14 WATSON D TX Senate - 58, Austin NOT UP FOR REELECTION NOT UP FOR REELECTION REPUBLICAN 26.0 % H 2007 - present Atty w/ Hughes & Luce

17.9 %HCVAP Former Austin Mayor 7.7 %O Moderate, well liked by % 63.8 % D business.

34.5 % R DEMOCRAT 1.3 %L Term expires * %

12-31-2018 LIBERTARIAN

GREEN

23.6 % B 15 WHITMIRE - D TX Senate - 67, Houston NOT UP FOR REELECTION NOT UP FOR REELECTION REPUBLICAN 38.3 % H 1983 - present Attorney 22.2 %HCVAP TX House - 6.0 %O 1973 - 1983 % 59.8 % D 39.4 % R DEMOCRAT 0.6 %L % Term expires * LIBERTARIAN 12-31-2014

GREEN

Dist Notes on Dist Incumbent Party Terms served Notes on Incumbent Notes on Republican Challengers Primary Outcomes Notes on Democrat Challengers Primary Election Outcomes (using Compt. Outcomes race.) 11.1% B TX Senate – 58, Dallas NOT UP FOR REELECTION NOT UP FOR REELECTION 16 HUFFINES R REPUBLICAN 25.8 % H 2015 - present Real Estate Developer. 13.8 %HCVAP RUMORED Platform: Term Limits, % Illegal immigration, 10.4 %O 5-12-15 to be transportation, economic 43.9 % D looking at run DEMOCRAT development. Grandson of 55.0 % R in CD 32 local car dealers JL Huffines 0.7 %L whose dealership is now % operated by Don’s brother. Term expires * Endorsed by Michael Quinn LIBERTARIAN 12-31-2018 Sullivan. %

GREEN

12.8 % B HUFFMAN 60, Southside Place 17 R TX Senate - NOT UP FOR REELECTION NOT UP FOR REELECTION REPUBLICAN Former District Judge and 20.2 % H 2009 - present Prosecutor. 13.2 %HCVAP % Electjoanhuffman.com 14.9 %O

DEMOCRAT 41.4 % D Was ranked Worst

57.8 % R Legislator in 2013 by Texas

0.7 %L Monthly because of % opposition to the Michael

Term expires * Morton Bill and the LIBERTARIAN Innocence Project bill. 12-31-2018

GREEN

Dist Notes on Dist Incumbent Party Terms served Notes on Incumbent Notes on Republican Challengers Primary Outcomes Notes on Democrat Challengers Primary Election Outcomes (using Compt. Outcomes race.) 12.0 % B 52, Brenham 18 LOIS R TX Senate - REPUBLICAN 26.5 % H KOLKHORST 2015 - present Owner of convenience stores 20.9 %HCVAP TX House - Married to Jim with two %

6.8 %O children. 34.7 % D Facebook DEMOCRAT 64.5 % R Endorsed by Lt. Governor 0.6 %L % Twitter LIBERTARIAN Term expires * 12-31-2016 You Tube %

GREEN

7.3 % B 19 CARLOS D TX Senate - 53, San Antonio REPUBLICAN 63.0 % H URESTI 2007- present Attorney 59.1 %HCVAP TX House - %

2.4 %O 1999-2007 55.5 % D Facebook DEMOCRAT

43.6 % R 0.6 %L % Twitter Term expires * LIBERTARIAN

12-31-2016 You Tube %

GREEN

ANNOUNCED %

Dist Notes on Dist Incumbent Party Terms served Notes on Incumbent Notes on Republican Challengers Primary Outcomes Notes on Democrat Challengers Primary Election Outcomes (using Compt. Outcomes race.) 2.3 % B HINOJOSA 20 JUAN “CHUY” D TX Senate - 70, McAllen REPUBLICAN 73.8 % H HINOJOSA 2003 - present Attorney 68.2 %HCVAP %

2.1 %O TX House - % 55.8 % D Twitter 1997 - 2003 DEMOCRAT 43.3 % R 0.7 %L % Term expires * LIBERTARIAN 12-31-2016 %

GREEN

4.0 % B ZAFFIRINI 21 JUDITH D TX Senate - 70, Laredo REPUBLICAN 67.9 % H ZAFFIRINI 1987 - present Communications Specialist 59.8 %HCVAP and Former Educator %

1.6 %O Married 55.8 % D Facebook DEMOCRAT

43.3 % R 0.7 %L % You Tube Term expires * LIBERTARIAN

12-31-2016 %

GREEN

Dist Notes on Dist Incumbent Party Terms served Notes on Incumbent Notes on Republican Challengers Primary Outcomes Notes on Democrat Challengers Primary Election Outcomes (using Compt. Outcomes race.) 11.3% B BRIAN TX Senate 55, Granbury 22 R BIRDWELL REPUBLICAN BIRDWELL 18.0% H 2011 –present Motivational Speaker,

11.9%HCVAP retired military. Victim of % 3.3%O Facebook the 9-11 attack on the % Pentagon. 33.9% D DEMOCRAT 65.3% R Twitter 0.7%L Endorsed by Lt. Gov %

ANNOUNCED Term expires * LIBERTARIAN

12-31-2016 %

GREEN

40.9 % B NOT UP FOR REELECTION 23 WEST D TX Senate - 64, Dallas NOT UP FOR REELECTION REPUBLICAN 38.7 % H 1993 - present Attorney

24.0 %HCVAP Married % 2.2 %O 79.9 % D DEMOCRAT 19.5 % R 0.4 %L % Term expires * LIBERTARIAN 12-31-2018 %

GREEN

Dist Notes on Dist Incumbent Party Terms served Notes on Incumbent Notes on Republican Challengers Primary Outcomes Notes on Democrat Challengers Primary Election Outcomes (using Compt. Outcomes race.) 10.9 % B Dawn Buckingham – 47, Lakeway 24 FRASER R TX Senate - 67, Horseshoe Bay REPUBLICAN 16.0 % H 1997 - present Owns a local manufacturing Ophthalmologist. Former TMA COL Chair

12.8 %HCVAP firm (pallets) Lakeway ISD Trustee. Married with two kids ANNOUNCED 3.8 %O TX House - Married % HE WILL NOT Consultant: Matt Langston 32.3 % D 1988 - 1992 BE SEEKING Field CTA. Announced DEMOCRAT 66.6 % R REELECTION 0.8 %L

Jon Cobb – 45, Bee Caves %

Term expires * Owner of a Concrete Business. Consultant: LIBERTARIAN 12-31-2016 Chris Homan Fundraiser: Susan Lilly % Filed CTA. Announced GREEN

CJ Grisham – 42, Temple % Constitutional Carry Activist. Consultant: Lance Cargill, former OK Speaker of the House Filed CTA. Announced

Susan King - 64, Abilene Co-Owner/ Dir. of Nursing Home TX House 2007 – 2016. Former surgical nurse and Abilene ISD President Announced

Gary Brent Mayes – 67, Fredericksburg Radiologist specializing in Male Body Imaging Consultant: Luke Macias Filed CTA. Announced

Reed Williams – 68, BUrnet Owner Hoover Valley Vineyards, former oilman San Antonio Water System Trustee. Former SA City Council man. Doesn’t live in the district Filed CTA Announced

26.5 % H 2013 - present Emergency Physician and

22.9 %HCVAP Ophthalmologist. Medical %

4.1 %O Director for the Emergency

Dept. for the Columbus DEMOCRAT 37.4 % D 61.4 % R Community Hospital, and physician with the Gulf 0.8 %L % Coast Medical Center. Ran against Doggett in 2010., but Term expires * LIBERTARIAN lost with 45% of the vote. 12-31-2018 Conservative. Consultant: Blakemore %

GREEN

7.6 % B 26 JOSE D TX Senate - 47, San Antonio REPUBLICAN 64.8 % H MENENDEZ 2015 - present Ex-City Councilman 60.9 %HCVAP Works for a Title Co. % 3.5 %O TX House - Married with several 60.6 % D Facebook DEMOCRAT small children. 38.2 % R 0.6 %L % Twitter Term expires * LIBERTARIAN

12-31-2016 You Tube %

GREEN Announced %

Dist Notes on Dist Incumbent Party Terms served Notes on Incumbent Notes on Republican Challengers Primary Outcomes Notes on Democrat Challengers Primary Election Outcomes (using Compt. Outcomes race.) 0.8 % B LUCIO 27 EDDIE LUCIO D TX Senate - 68, Brownsville REPUBLICAN 86.2 % H JR 1991 - present Advertising Exec. 79.8 %HCVAP Married %

1.0 %O TX House - eddielucio.com % 66.8 % D Twitter 1987 - 1991 DEMOCRAT 32.2 % R 0.6 %L %

Term expires * 12-31-2016 LIBERTARIAN

GREEN

5.9 % B 54, Lubbock PERRY 28 CHARLES R TX Senate - REPUBLICAN 30.5 % H PERRY 2015 - present Accountant

26.7 %HCVAP % % 2.2%O TX House – Endorsed by Lt. Gov

28.1 % D Facebook 2011-2015 DEMOCRAT

71.1 % R 0.7 %L % ANNOUNCED Term expires * LIBERTARIAN 12-31-2016 %

GREEN

Dist Notes on Dist Incumbent Party Terms served Notes on Incumbent Notes on Republican Challengers Primary Outcomes Notes on Democrat Challengers Primary Election Outcomes (using Compt. Outcomes race.) 3.4 % B 29 JOSE D TX Senate - RODRIGUEZ REPUBLICAN 68, El Paso 79.6 % H RODRIGUEZ 2011 - present Former El Paso Co. Atty. 74.5 %HCVAP %

1.9 %O % DEMOCRAT 65.5 % D Facebook

33.5 % R % 0.6 %L

LIBERTARIAN Term expires * ANNOUNCED 12-31-2016

GREEN

5.3 % B ESTES 30 CRAIG ESTES R TX Senate - 63, Wichita Falls REPUBLICAN 12.7 % H 2001 - present Chair of Board and CEO of 7.6 %HCVAP % % Estes, Inc. a distributor of 3.1 %O Facebook fertilizer and chemicals with 27.8 % D DEMOCRAT offices in 5 states. 71.1 % R Twitter 0.8 %L % Announced

Term expires * LIBERTARIAN

12-31-2018 %

GREEN

Dist Notes on Dist Incumbent Party Terms served Notes on Incumbent Notes on Republican Challengers Primary Outcomes Notes on Democrat Challengers Primary Election Outcomes (using Compt. Outcomes race.) 4.9 % B SELIGER 31 KEL SELIGER R TX Senate - 63, Amarillo REPUBLICAN 32.8 % H 2004 - present Owner Lake Steel Inc. 25.1 %HCVAP (Special % % Facebook former Amarillo Mayor and 2.7 %O election to TABC member 27.8 % D replace Bivins) DEMOCRAT

Twitter 77.8 % R

0.7 %L %

Term expires * ANNOUNCED LIBERTARIAN 12-31-2018

GREEN