Progress Texas Endorses for the May Runoffs

Important Dates to know:

Early Voting: Monday, May 18 - Friday, May 22

Last Day to Apply for Ballot by Mail: Friday, May 15

Election Day: Tuesday, May 26

Not every organization offers endorsements during election season, but at Progress Texas when our board of directors identifies exemplary credentials and capability among candidates who share our bold progressive values, we do offer endorsements and the second round of those has arrived.

This year in particular there are lots and lots of truly impressive folks putting themselves out there to run for office, among them Democratic competitors to our endorsees. Running for office in Texas takes a lot of guts, and a lot of determination and a lot of time, and a lot of miles, and a lot of money—so thank you to trailblazers leading the way.

Our team recorded with some of the newly endorsed candidates, and you can click on their names below to listen along.

Endorsed Candidates for Congress:

Congressional District 18: Congressman Christian Menefee

Congressman Christian Menefee, freshly-elected to Houston’s CD-18, is an exemplary representative of the next generation of progressive leaders. Menefee and his supporters in this district have not only restored the criminally long absent voice of CD-18 in Washington, but they have sent a shot of generational energy into the U.S. House that we find very well timed. Website.

Congressional District 24: Kevin Burge

Marine Corps combat veteran and intelligence specialist Kevin Burge, running in Texas' 24th Congressional District taking on MAGA Republican incumbent Republican Beth Van Duyne, has  focused his campaign on affordable housing, healthcare reform, and civil liberties. Much of his district covers the same area as Senate District 9, where Democrat Taylor Rehmet won with a 30+ swing from R to D. Website. 

Congressional District 33: Congresswoman Julie Johnson

Congresswoman Julie Johnson is dedicated to protecting and building upon Social Security and Medicare, raising the minimum wage while lowering health care costs, beating back the MAGA assault on reproductive freedom, putting a general check on Donald Trump and his whims, and much more. Our Executive Director Kathleen Thompson sat down with Rep. Johnson for a quick catch-up during a Texas Blue Action event at Rodeo Goat in Dallas ahead of early voting in the runoff election. Website.

Texas Legislature and Local Endorsed Candidates:

Texas House District 100: Rep. Venton Jones

Representative Venton Jones is a non-profit CEO, Texas realtor, LGBTQ+ leader, and trusted advocate in the Legislature for healthcare access, fighting for marginalized communities and middle-class families, and protecting voting rights. Website.

Harris County Judge: Dr. Letitia Plummer

Former Houston City Council Member and longtime healthcare professional, Dr. Letitia Plummer is uniquely qualified for medical and natural disasters as our pick for Harris County Judge. Dr. Plummer comes from a long line of Houston area civic leaders, and the Progress Texas board believes she is the progressive choice for the Democratic nomination for this key position of leadership in Texas' most-populous county. Website.

Progress Texas March Primary Endorsed candidates are shared below, and you can read more on each by clicking here.

• Texas Governor: Rep. Gina Hinojosa
• Texas Lieutenant Governor: Rep. Vikki Goodwin
• Texas Comptroller: Sen. Sarah Eckhardt
• Congressional District 15: Bobby Pulido
• Tarrant County Judge: Alisa Simmons

What’s Next

• Share our voter navigation resource GoVoteTexas.org with friends for a handy guide to voting in this election—now available in English, Spanish, Vietnamese, Chinese Mandarin, and Hindi!
• Are you a 2026 candidate running on our shared bold progressive values? Apply to be recognized as a Progress Texas Institute “Certified Progressive.”