There’s one week left until the early voting starts for the November 5 general election, and there’s still lots of work to do to make sure that every Texan is informed and ready to vote! We’re doing our part to increase turnout, including expanding our voter navigation website, GoVoteTexas.org, to Texas’ top, vote-deciding languages now available in Vietnamese, Mandarin, Hindi, English, and Spanish!
Progress Texas has built the largest online community of progressives from across the state — Texans who share and stand up for bold progressive values. Together, we can build a statewide movement to fight for our future. That starts with electing progressives at every level of government. Yet, when most races do not get major media attention, we’re here to help put the spotlight on your neighbors who are standing up to serve your community.
Here’s a rundown of those who applied and passed muster on top issues like voting and civil rights, abortion and reproductive freedoms, pledging environmental protections, strengthening public education, gun safety, and more. But before you get started, be sure to search which candidates are running to represent you by state house and senate district (HD/SD), along with other statewide seats. We further encourage you to share important resources with your family, friends, and network on getting out the vote and supporting these candidates through November!
Plus, the Progress Texas team produced a special podcast episode reviewing our endorsements with some expanded conversations on select candidates, discussing their records, opponents, and policy points. Listen along here! As you find candidates that will be on your ballot below, further read our staff editorials about what we had to say on each endorsed candidate; then don’t forget to build your voting plan!
The following candidates are organized alphabetically by first name, and hyperlinked with their campaign websites.
President of the United States
Kamala Harris for President (Federal)
Texas Court of Criminal Appeals
Holly Taylor for Presiding Judge (Statewide)
Texas Railroad Commission (oil and gas regulatory agency)
Katherine Culbert for Railroad Commissioner (Statewide)
Texas State Board of Education
George King for District 12 (North Dallas, Fairview)
Morgan Kirkpatrick for District 15 (Panhandle, San Angelo, Midland/Odessa)
Dr. Raquel Saenz Ortiz for District 10 (Austin, San Antonio, Houston)
Rayna Glasser for District 11 (North Texas, Fort Worth)
Texas Senate
State Senator Molly Cook, SD 15 (Houston)
State Senator Sarah Eckhardt, SD 14 (Austin)
Rachel Mello for SD 8 (Dallas-McKinney)
Texas House
Adrienne Bell for HD 29 (Pearland)
Rep. Ann Johnson, HD 134 (Houston)
Averie Bishop for HD 112 (Dallas-Richardson)
Brett Robinson for HD 130 (Houston-Cypress)
Cassandra Hernandez for HD 115 (Dallas-Carrollton)
Cathy McAuliffe for HD 32 (Corpus Christi)
Chase West for HD 132 (Houston-Katy)
Chuck Crews for HD 128 (Houston-Deer Park)
Darrel Evans for HD 89 (Dallas-McKinney, Plano)
Denise Wilkerson for HD 94 (Arlington)
Detrick DeBurr for HD 65 (North Dallas-Fort Worth)
Dwain Handley for HD 19 (Austin-Lakeway)
Fred Medina for HD 14 (College Station)
Jennie Birkholz for HD 52 (Austin-Round Rock)
Rep. John Bucy III, HD 136 (Austin)
Kristen Washington for HD 2 (Dallas-Greenville)
Laurel Jordan Swift for HD 121 (San Antonio)
Former Rep. Michelle Beckley for HD 63 (Dallas-Flower Mound)
Rep. Rafael Anchía, HD 103 (Dallas County)
Sally Duval for HD 73 (Central Texas- Dripping Springs)
Scott Bryan White for HD 98 (Dallas-Fort Worth-Southlake)
Rep. Sheryl Cole, HD 46 (Austin)
Former Rep. Solomon Ortiz, Jr. for HD 34 (Corpus Christi)
Rep. Dr. Suleman Lalani, HD 76 (Houston-Sugarland)
Tony Adams for HD 61 (Dallas-McKinney)
Walter Coppage for HD 69 (Fort Worth-Wichita Falls)
Harris County Attorney
City (Local) Ballot Initiatives
Progress Texas endorses the following local cannabis decriminalization measures in the following cities. These acts, if passed, will make marijuana and paraphernalia possession the lowest public safety enforcement priorities, in addition to banning city resources for THC testing or using the odor of marijuana or hemp as probable cause for search or seizure. It is Progress Texas’ understanding that state law regarding cannabis will still be enforced for violent crimes.
City of Bastrop Freedom Act Proposition M – FOR
City of Dallas Freedom Act (Reform Marijuana Enforcement Act) Proposition R – FOR
City of Lockhart Freedom Act Proposition A – FOR
City of Dallas “HERO Acts” (Propositions S, T, & U):
Proposition S – (if passed) would force the city to waive immunity, therefore allowing frivolous, right-wing-led lawsuits to attack the City of Dallas’ progressive ordinance reforms; this proposition forms an avenue for wealthy conservative donors to sue city leaders at will. Progress Texas Endorses AGAINST
Proposition T – (if passed) ties surveys to city employee performance compensation packages. This proposition contradicts the ideal of representative democracy and creates an unfunded mandate. Progress Texas Endorses AGAINST
Proposition U - (if passed) would mandate 50% of the previous year’s City of Dallas budget be tied to Police and Fire Pension funding; it further forces an arbitrary minimum number of police officers required on the force. This could result in budget cuts to other critical needs. Progress Texas Endorses AGAINST
What’s Next?
- The last day to apply for a ballot by mail is Fri. October 25, 2024. Don’t delay, some counties are purging voter rolls, check your registration status today!
- Visit GoVoteTexas.org for more quick FAQs, ID requirements, and election deadlines!
- Want to work the polls? Here’s how you can get involved in elections!
- Help us lift up progressive candidates and reach more young, first time voters before November 5! Please invest in nonprofit progressive Texas media today!
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