As the 2024 elections approach, nine Texas State Senate seats are heating up with competitive races that could shape the future of our great state. Conservatives and liberals alike are rallying behind their candidates, with incumbents facing strong challengers. Here’s a look at the key districts and the candidates vying for your vote.

Key Districts and Candidates

Democratic Incumbents in the Spotlight

Two districts with Democratic incumbents are up for grabs this election cycle:

• District 6: Carol Alvarado (i) is being challenged by Republican Martha Fierro. Alvarado has held her seat firmly, but Fierro is working hard to gain traction and bring a conservative shift to the district. Fierro, a Mexican-born immigrant and Texas-raised Latina, is the Houston Director for Hispanic Action Network. She has been involved in community and civic engagement, aiming to empower pastors and ministries across Houston. Fierro’s platform emphasizes traditional conservative values, including pro-life stances and advocacy against human trafficking.
• District 27: Morgan LaMantia (i) faces a tough race against Republican Adam Hinojosa and Green Party candidate Robin Lee Vargas. Hinojosa, making his second attempt for the seat after a narrow loss in 2022, is a fourth-generation Texan and successful entrepreneur. He emphasizes his business acumen, having turned around a struggling restaurant during the pandemic, and advocates for reducing government intervention in business. Hinojosa’s campaign focuses on conservative values, such as supporting the Second Amendment, pro-life positions, and securing the border.

Republican Strongholds Facing Challenges

Six districts with Republican incumbents are also contested:

• District 7: Paul Bettencourt (i) is challenged by Democrat Michelle Gwinn.
• District 8: Angela Paxton (i) is facing Democrat Rachel Mello and Libertarian Ed Kless.
• District 10: Phil King (i) is up against Democrat Andy Morris.
• District 12: Tan Parker (i) is being challenged by Democrat Stephanie Draper.
• District 17: Joan Huffman (i) faces Democrat Kathy Cheng.
• District 25: Donna Campbell (i) is up against Democrat Merrie Fox.

District 30: New Faces in the Race

District 30 is unique this cycle, as it features two new candidates. Brent Hagenbuch won the Republican bid in a runoff against Jace Yarbrough, while Dale Frey secured the Democratic nomination by defeating Michael Braxton. According to unofficial voting results, all precincts in Collin and Denton counties have reported, setting the stage for an exciting race between these fresh contenders.

Uncontested Districts

In addition to the contested races, five districts are also on the ballot but have no challengers, ensuring their incumbents remain in office:

• District 14: Sarah Eckhardt (i)
• District 15: Democratic primary runoff results pending, Joseph L. Trahan (Republican)
• District 16: Nathan Johnson (i)
• District 20: Juan Hinojosa (i)
• District 23: Royce West (i)

Conservative Strongholds Under Threat?

The 2024 elections present a significant opportunity for conservatives to strengthen their influence in the Texas State Senate, but they also face the risk of losing key seats to determined challengers. Incumbents like Paul Bettencourt (District 7), Angela Paxton (District 8), and Phil King (District 10) are up against candidates who are eager to push Texas towards more liberal policies.

Your Vote Matters

Every vote in these districts is crucial. It’s up to the voters to ensure that Texas remains a beacon of conservative values and continues to promote policies that foster growth, freedom, and prosperity. Be informed, stay engaged, and make your voice heard in the 2024 elections.

For detailed information on each candidate and their platforms, stay tuned to Texas Liberty Journal as we bring you comprehensive coverage and analysis leading up to the elections.

Beaumont, TX — In a bitterly contested primary for Texas House District 21, David Covey, a staunch conservative backed by high-profile Republicans like Donald Trump, Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick, and Attorney General Ken Paxton, and Governor Greg Abbott, was narrowly defeated by incumbent Texas House Speaker Dade Phelan. Despite a hard-fought campaign and significant support, Covey conceded the race late Tuesday night after the results showed Phelan leading by a slim margin of 366 votes, a difference that could trigger a recount.

Covey, the former Orange County Republican Party chairman, represented the true grassroots conservative movement. He championed the principles of accountability and integrity, directly challenging Phelan’s controversial leadership. Over the past year, Phelan’s decision to back the impeachment of Attorney General Paxton on charges of corruption and bribery caused his popularity to plummet among many Republicans, creating an opening for Covey’s insurgent campaign.

Covey’s challenge was historic. Forcing Phelan into a runoff in March, he garnered more votes than the incumbent, shaking the political establishment. Phelan, who had previously sailed through elections unopposed, faced an unprecedented challenge from a first-time candidate. This race became the most expensive state House contest in Texas history, with Phelan’s campaign spending $3.8 million compared to Covey’s $1.6 million, highlighting the high stakes and intense competition.

The campaign was marked by intense negativity, with Phelan resorting to accusations and aggressive tactics, labeling Covey’s campaign as one based on “lies and deceit.” In contrast, Covey focused on exposing Phelan’s betrayal of conservative values, portraying him as an “Austin swamp creature” who relied on Democratic support to maintain his power.

Despite the defeat, Covey’s campaign underscored the growing influence of the ultraconservative faction within the Texas Republican Party. This group, championed by figures like Patrick and Paxton, rejects compromise and bipartisanship, aiming to steer the party back to its core conservative principles. Covey’s candidacy was a testament to this movement’s strength and its challenge to the traditional party establishment.

In the aftermath, Attorney General Paxton and other conservatives voiced strong disapproval of Phelan’s tactics and leadership. Paxton accused Phelan of “blatantly stealing an election” by courting Democratic votes, and warned that supporting Phelan’s bid for Speaker in 2025 would be political suicide for any Republican House member.

Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick also criticized Phelan, attributing the loss of many incumbents to Phelan’s concessions to Democrats during the legislative session. Patrick argued that Phelan’s leadership failed to uphold true conservative values, leading to significant electoral defeats and loss of confidence among Republicans.

Phelan’s victory was bolstered by significant support from the business-oriented establishment wing of the party, including high-profile figures like Karl Rove and former officials such as U.S. Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison and Gov. Rick Perry. This faction’s substantial financial contributions highlighted the deep divisions within the party between traditional powerbrokers and the rising conservative insurgency.

The battle for the Speaker’s gavel is far from over. With no public endorsements for Phelan’s potential challengers yet, the political maneuvering will intensify. Republicans like Tom Oliverson of Cypress have already declared their candidacy, setting the stage for a contentious leadership race.

Despite this setback, Covey’s campaign galvanized the conservative base and brought significant attention to the dissatisfaction with Phelan’s leadership. The coming months will determine whether the conservative faction can coalesce around a new leader who truly represents their values and principles, challenging the establishment grip on the Texas House.

Rep. Shelby Slawson, a notable critic of Phelan, summed up the sentiment of many conservatives, arguing that the impeachment debacle and Phelan’s leadership failures necessitate new leadership. Her column calling for change reflects the deep frustration and desire for a return to genuine conservative governance.

As the Texas political landscape continues to evolve, the fight for the soul of the Republican Party remains fierce. Covey’s campaign, though unsuccessful, underscored the enduring power of true conservative values and set the stage for future battles within the party.

What if: Harris Becomes President after Votes Have Been Cast for Biden?

With Joe Biden’s age and obvious health concerns at center stage in the election, questions about the continuity of the presidency and the electoral process could lead to a bonafide Constitutional Crisis. If, in this hypothetical scenario, President Biden were to resign or be removed from office right before election day, after votes have been cast in early voting, the nation could face an unprecedented constitutional crisis.

Following the provisions of the 25th Amendment, Vice President Harris would ascend to the presidency, the minute Biden is no longer able to fulfill his duties. At a minimum, she would remain President up until the transfer of power the following January. But it’s the timing of this hypothetical event that causes the issue, with a significant portion of the electorate having expressed their choices through early voting.

In this scenario, Harris’ name will not be on the ballot as a “Presidential” candidate. At best, she would be listed as the “Vice President” … assuming Biden continues to keep her on his ticket. At the time of this writing, it looks like he will.

But what happens in the election if Biden is unable to continue? There is a risk, however small, that Biden could win the election even though he would not assume office. Some scholars would argue, that despite the vagueness of the Constitution in this matter, the 2024 presidential election would automatically pass to Harris … even though she was not elected as “President”.

Even though partisan political operatives would attempt to make a case that President Harris could simply cancel the election, this is simply not the case, and it would be grossly unconstitutional for a President to attempt to cancel the election. If she did, she would almost certainly be impeached, and the Speaker of the House would step in…congratulations Speaker Johnson.

A more likely scenario is that the Democrat party would instantly jump into action and declare that ALL votes previously cast for Biden are hereby directed to a new nominee. They will make the farcical assertion that the votes cast were for a “party”, not a “person”.

Drawing on historical examples, we can reflect on the 1912 U.S. presidential election, where the sudden death of the Republican Party’s Vice Presidential candidate, James Sherman, prompted rapid adjustments. In a race split between President Taft and former President Theodore Roosevelt, the unexpected vacancy led to the selection of Nicholas Murray Butler as the new Vice-Presidential candidate. The ensuing controversy likely contributed to Woodrow Wilson’s victory.

In another example, the tragic plane crash involving Senator Paul Wellstone occurred on October 25, 2002, just 11 days before the scheduled U.S. Senate election in Minnesota. Senator Wellstone, a Democrat seeking re-election for a third term, was traveling with his wife Sheila, their daughter Marcia, three campaign staffers, and two pilots when their plane went down in freezing weather conditions in northern Minnesota.

The sudden and devastating crash resulted in the loss of Senator Wellstone, his wife, his daughter, and the other passengers on board. The incident sent shockwaves through the state and the nation, as Wellstone was a well-respected and influential figure in Minnesota politics.

With the election only days away and early voting already underway, the Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party (DFL), which is affiliated with the Democratic Party in Minnesota, faced a significant challenge. Minnesota law allowed the major political parties to replace a candidate in the event of death within a certain timeframe before the election.

In response to the tragedy, the DFL swiftly convened to select a replacement candidate. Former Vice President Walter Mondale emerged as the party’s choice to fill the vacancy left by Senator Wellstone. Walter Mondale had a long and distinguished political career, having served as Vice President under President Jimmy Carter and as a U.S. Senator from Minnesota prior to that.

The decision to replace Wellstone with Mondale was not without controversy, as some critics argued that the sudden change in candidate disrupted the electoral process. Nevertheless, the DFL moved forward with Mondale’s candidacy, and his name was placed on the ballot as the new Democratic nominee. He ultimately lost, but the precedent stands.

Another example is the accent of Gerald Ford.

Gerald Ford’s ascension to the presidency was indeed a unique and historic event. Ford became the 38th Vice President of the United States on December 6, 1973, following the resignation of Vice-President Spiro Agnew, who faced legal troubles related to tax evasion and bribery. Ford, a Congressman from Michigan and the House Minority Leader, was appointed by President Richard Nixon as Vice-President, and confirmed by Congress as Agnew’s replacement.

The political landscape took a dramatic turn when President Richard Nixon faced the Watergate scandal, a political crisis involving the cover-up of illegal activities within the Nixon administration. As the scandal intensified and the likelihood of Nixon’s impeachment grew, Gerald Ford found himself thrust into the limelight.

On August 8, 1974, Richard Nixon became the first U.S. president to resign from office. Following Nixon’s resignation, Gerald Ford was sworn in as the 38th President of the United States on August 9, 1974.

Now, let’s take this hypothetical scenario a step further. Imagine that, due to unforeseen circumstances, Joe Biden is unable to follow through with the election. What are the legal maneuvers that the Democrat Party would embark to resolve the situation?

 Faced with this unprecedented challenge, the Democratic Party makes a groundbreaking decision. All delegates, traditionally bound by primary and caucus outcomes, are granted the status of superdelegates, able to vote for any candidate they choose.

With amazing and mind-baffling speed, the majority of delegates rally around California Governor Gavin Newsom, instead of sitting President, Kamala Harris. Known for his progressive policies and leadership, Newsom emerges as a consensus candidate who could unite the party and appeal to a broad spectrum of voters…so they believe.

This scenario sets the stage for an unconventional Democratic National Convention, where every delegate, now a superdelegate, wields independent voting rights. The decision to pivot towards Governor Newsom reflects a collective belief that he possesses the qualities necessary to lead the party and the nation during a challenging period.

However there is no legal or constitutional authority that grants a party the ability to transfer a vote cast by a citizen from one person to another. But this won’t stop Democrats from trying and they most assuridily will find a judge to agree with them … in these extraordinary times.

Therefore, Harris would continue as the first Woman President until Newsom is sworn in on January 20, 2025.

But this hypothetical scenario assumes an alternate universe where Donald Trump is not victorious in the 2024 election. The more likely scenario is that the Democrats will use the chaos caused by Biden’s inability to continue with the election to declare that Trump, once again, is an illegitimate President. Thus, causing a whole new era of riots in the streets, impeachments, FBI setups etc. … just like 2016.