Zenger News tracked five new state-level candidates in Texas between Nov. 20-26. This was equal to the number of candidates tracked last week.
Three of those candidates are Democrats and two are Republicans. The five candidates are running for the state legislature in 2024.
Details on these candidates are below:
- Perla Bojorquez (D) is running for Texas House of Representatives District 93. Bojorquez said, “[I am] a proud Texan, a devoted mother, a passionate educator, and an unwavering advocate for small businesses and community development. [My] journey, deeply rooted in Fort Worth, Texas, reflects [my] commitment to the values of hard work, family, and service. … [My] career began in the legal field, where as a paralegal [I] developed a keen understanding of the intricacies of law and justice. [My] experience in this role reinforced [my] belief in fairness and equality, values [I] carry forward in [my] public service. … [My] transition to education was driven by a desire to impact future generations. As an educator, [I] ha[ve] worked tirelessly to ensure that every child has access to quality education and the opportunity to succeed. [My] involvement with the Dodge City Chamber of Commerce – Young Professionals and [my] leadership in Latina Outreach initiatives demonstrate [my] commitment to empowering the diverse voices of our community. … At the heart of [my] campaign is [my] belief in the strength of family and community. As a mother and wife, [I] know[ ] firsthand the challenges families face and the importance of a supportive community network. [My] approach to governance is grounded in these core values, ensuring that the voices of families and small business owners are heard. … Together, we can ensure quality education for our children, support for our small businesses, and a community that thrives on inclusivity and collaboration.”
- Molly Cook (D) is running for Texas State Senate District 15. Cook said, “I’m an emergency room nurse with a masters in public health, and a community organizer. Last year, I ran for Texas Senate to bring active representation and a community organizing mindset to Senate District 15. Since then, I’ve been at the bedside taking care of patients, organizing for better transportation infrastructure, co-leading the Yes on Prop B Fair for Houston Campaign, meeting with neighbors across our district, and traveling to the Capitol to fight together for our shared Democratic values. In Austin, I worked within the party and across the aisle with legislators, their staff, and countless organizations to lobby for and even write legislation. At home, I created shared resources and presented throughout the district to help SD 15 residents access the Texas Legislature. I’ve learned a lot, but one thing hasn’t changed: I want to serve Senate District 15 and fight year round for smart, compassionate policy to improve public safety and public health.”
- Nasir Malik (D) is running for Texas State Senate District 7. Malik said, “We support the efforts of groups like Moms Demand Action that are working to bring common sense gun laws to Texas to protect our children, families and communities from gun violence. … Fully fund our public schools to at least the national average; including increasing teachers’ salaries, improve retirement benefits, provide more classroom resources, — fully fund a universal Pre-K program, and oppose taxpayer funded vouchers for the wealthy. … Give every Texan the right to have control over their own bodies. Remove the government from standing between you and your doctor. We believe in the separation of church and state, and restoring women’s right to choose. … Increase support for our public hospitals. Increase public access to healthcare facilities and local clinics. Provide more support for preventative care to treat illnesses before they become more expensive problems. Expand Medicaid to ensure that hard working Texas families don’t need to fear financial ruin due to unexpected illness. … Clamp down on price gouging during natural disasters, and make sure the exorbitant costs incurred during the natural disasters are not passed down onto consumers. Provide more state support for local governments to prepare for environmental and natural disasters.”
- Jeff Bauknight (R) is running for Texas House of Representatives District 30. Bauknight said, “At this critical time in our state, we need principled leaders who will get conservative results for our families. … I am running for State Representative with a clear mission: to fortify our southern border, preserve our sovereignty, and ensure that every Texan enjoys the fruits of economic liberty. I am dedicated to cutting taxes so we can keep more of what we earn, upholding the sanctity of life, and investing in vital infrastructure that strengthens our communities. I am a staunch defender of our constitutional rights. From strongly supporting our Second Amendment freedoms and protecting our private property rights to backing the brave men and women in blue. My resolve is to maintain Texas as a state where safety, liberty, and justice are not just ideals but realities for all citizens. … I am committed to the next generation of Texans. I pledge to empower parents and support our teachers so our students can reach new heights of achievement and opportunity, whether they plan to go to college or enter the workforce after graduation. … My conservative leadership is about more than just ideas. It is about action and results. It is about nurturing a Texas that values life, cherishes freedom, and provides a beacon of hope for generations to come. Together, we will get the job done.”
- Robert Duke (R) is running for Texas House of Representatives District 18. Duke said, “Vietnam era Veteran defending the honor of all United States Citizens and protecting their Constitutional Rights. ​Conservative Christian Values – Sixth Generation Texan since 1840 – Proven Leadership – Led Caucuses for Senatorial and State Republican Conventions – Fought for America, now ready to fight for Texas Rights and Liberties! … ​[I am] devoted to the voice of the people. ​[I] represent[ ] the people by bringing their passion and devotion to the campaign. … Texans Need Strong Representation in HD 18! Areas of Concern: Protecting Freedoms and Rights – Safety for Families – Border Protection & Enforcement – Criminals Charged & Prosecuted to the Full Extent of the Law – Parental Choice in Education – Reducing the Tax Burden on Citizens – Elected Officials’ Ethics – Big Money Politics.”
Since the beginning of the year, Zenger News has identified 68 candidates for state-level office in Texas. Seven hundred and fifty candidates ran for state-level office in Texas in 2022, while 582 ran in 2020. In 2022, 277 were Democratic, while 384 were Republican. In 2020, 270 were Democratic and 249 were Republican. Nationally, Zenger News has tracked 679 Democrats and 828 Republicans running for state-level office in 2023, and 368 Democrats and 503 Republicans running in 2024.
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