The

Bluebonnet
The Newsletter of Texas College Democrats Special Election Edition Congressional District 23 United States Senate
This year has featured some critical races for Democrats Paul Sadler, the Democratic candidate for U.S. Senate all around the Lone Star State, but one congressional seat from Texas, is up against the Republican nominee Ted has proved to be the biggest toss-up in the grand state of Cruz on Tuesday. Texas. Cruz, who is supported by both the Tea Party and GOP establishment, took down Lieutenant Governor David Francisco Quico Canseco knocked incumbent Ciro Dewhurst in the July primaries. Rodriguez out of the CD-23 spot in 2010 and has since proven to be a formidable GOP candidate in the district. The Democratic nominee, State Representative Pete Gallego, also took Ciro down in the primaries this year. The Cook Political Report has labeled this the only toss up race in the state this year. This comes after Republicans drew a heavily partisan congressional map for Texas that drew criticism and even lawsuits from voter advocacy groups. Canseco, who is a member of the Tea Party Caucus and supporter of the partially-failed Arizona immigration law, has faced backlash from many in his district for his very conservative positions. Gallego, on the other hand, has been known by many of his colleagues in the legislature to reach across the isle to get things done. The race has not gone unnoticed by Democratic leaders; and many, such as Bill Clinton, have lent their celebrity to his cause. At a rally late last month, Clinton (along with the Castro brothers and many elected officials) stopped by South San High School to help get out the vote for the Texas House District 95, formerly represented by Mark district. Veasey (who is running for congress in lieu of reelection), is being contested by Republican Monte Mitchell and Although big money has poured in to aid the jeopardized Democrat Nicole Collier. It covers downtown Fort Worth Canseco (who is a part of the GOPs incumbent and has been a longtime Democratic stronghold in the protection list, known as the Patriot Program), Gallego area. Collier has received the endorsement of the Fort retains strong support. Texas College Democrats in El Worth Star-Telegram. Paso, San Antonio and West Texas are encouraged to vote in this hotly-contested race! HD-26 is a district anchored in Sugar Land, Texas. The
Sadler speaks with Rosa Walker, a leader in the Texas AFL-CIO

Three Democrats, Aaron Pea, Allan Ritter and J.M. Lozano, have switched to the Republican Party since their election to the Texas House in 2010. Pea and Ritter defected to the GOP to give Republicans a supermajority in the House, a move then-TDP Chairman Boyd Richie characterized as cowardly. Lozano flip-flopped so as to become more competitive in his newly drawn, more conservative district.

Pea, whose Edinburg-anchored HD-40 strongly favors Sadler is definitely the underdog in this race, but his Democrats, declined to run for reelection. Terry Canales supporters know that could change if many Democratic bested his numerous Democratic opponents in the party voters turn out this year around the state. primary to become the sole candidate on the ballot for House District 40. Both Allan Ritter and J.M. Lozano fended off opposition in the GOP primaries for their respective districts. Ritter faces no opposition on Election Day in HD-21. Lozano (HD -43) is up against Yvonne Gonzalez Toureilles, a former legislator from HD-35. Much remains to be seen about these races.

State House Races

Vy Nguyen hopes to make history as the first VietnameseAmerican woman to serve in the Texas Legislature

State Senate Races

John Courage (D) and Donna Campbell (R) will face off on Tuesday for the right to represent SD-25 in the Texas Senate, a swath of land anchored in northern San Antonio. Campbell, who works in Houston and is funded by large outside PAC money, beat longtime incumbent Jeff Wentworth in the Republican primary.

Rep. Gallego listening to constituents

nominees, Vy Nguyen (Democratic) and Rick Miller (Republican), are aiming to replace Charlie Howard. Wendy Davis, a Democratic State Senator from Fort Howard, a Republican, has represented district 26 since Worth, is facing a tough challenge from Republican Mark 1994. Shelton in Senate District 10. The result of this race could determine the power Democrats hold in the Texas Senate Also in the Greater Houston area, House District 136 now next year. stands without an incumbent as Speaker pro Tempore Beverley Woolley has recently retired from her post. Democrat Matt Stillwell, who has received the endorsement of the Austin-American Statesman, will face Republican Tony Dale in the general election. Williamson County is traditionally a Republican stronghold.
Davis on the campaign trail