Toplines and Key Facts: 

• Even Republicans are sick of Republicans.
• Longtime GOP officials are coming out in favor of Democratic statewide candidates.
• Statewide candidates Mike Collier Jay Kleberg and Luke Warford, are receiving bipartisan support.

Republican officials have dominated our state for too long — and it’s saying something when even Republicans start to agree. The likes of Gov. Greg Abbott, Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick, and Attorney General Ken Paxton have torn our state apart to maintain power, all to appease primary voters and please big-money donors. Meanwhile, regular Texans suffer more each day they remain in office and, if re-elected, the chaos will only continue. 

The future of Texas hangs in the balance this midterm election. Abortion access, health care, gun reform, public education, voting rights, LGBTQIA+ rights, Texas’ energy grid — they’re all on the line.

A Democrat hasn’t won statewide office in decades. And while many Republicans may be reluctant to vote against party lines, some can agree on one thing: our state is overdue for a change.

That’s why long-time Republicans are starting to come out in favor of Democratic statewide candidates.

We’re keeping a running list of Republicans crossing over to endorse Democrats — keep an eye on this page for more updates as the election approaches:

Mike Collier, Democrat for Texas lieutenant governor:

• Former Lt. Gov. Bill Ratliff
• County Judge Glen Whitley (Tarrant County)
• State Sen. Kel Seliger (Amarillo)
• State Rep. Lyle Larson (San Antonio)
• Former Fort Worth Mayor Betsy Price
• Former Dallas Mayor and Retired U.S. Rep. Steve Bartlett
• Former State Rep. Byron Cook (Corsicana)
• Former State Rep. Bennett Ratliff (Dallas)

“When I ran for office, I had support from both sides of the aisle because the people of East Texas voted for the man, not the party.  As a former elected Republican, I’m putting partisanship aside and joining the growing number of Republicans voting for the man we think is best for Texas, and that’s Mike Collier.” — former Lt. Gov. Ratliff, Dallas Morning News, Sept. 22, 2022.

“Mike is a bean counter like me. He worked for PriceWaterhouse. He also worked for Exxon so he understands the oil business. And I just think he’s someone who understands local control and that’s what I’m looking for.”

— Judge Whitley, Texas Tribune, Sept. 4, 2022.

“As we become more and more diverse in the state of Texas, our leadership needs to adapt to that diversity and try to represent all of the people in the state of Texas, even the ones with whom we have philosophical disagreements. And I think that’s very important. Dan Patrick is an extremist.” 

— State Sen. Seliger, WFAA, Sept. 12, 2022.

Dan Patrick has “created more division along ethnic and gender lines [than anyone] in our state's history. I mean, if you look at the attacks on individuals, he's inspired nothing. … I think he's an awful person, and I could never support him, and I hope everybody either does not vote for him, or votes for his opponent.” 

— Rep. Larson, Houston Chronicle, Sept. 29, 2022.

“This is about good government. It’s not about politics. Don’t just go and start marking somebody because they’re one party of the other. Go out and make sure you pick the candidate who is going to give you good governance. That’s all I’ll say.”

 — Fort Worth Mayor Price (Ret.), Fort Worth Star-Telegram, Sept. 9, 2022.

“As a growing state, our Legislature must face Texas’ problems with honesty and transparency. From funding public education, to tackling our property tax system, to ensuring our infrastructure keeps pace with Texas’ growth, to working with—not against—local leaders, we believe Mike’s skill and corporate experience make him best equipped to provide the leadership Texas deserves.” 

— Rep. Cook (Ret.), Rep. Ratliff (Ret.), Dallas Mayor Bartlett (Ret.), Rep. Larson, State Sen. Seliger, Judge Whitley, “An Open Letter to Texas,” Oct. 13, 2022.

Luke Warford, Democrat for Texas railroad commissioner (which has nothing to do with railroads and everything to do with regulating oil and gas):

• Sarah Stogner, a former GOP candidate for Texas railroad commissioner.

“I had hundreds of thousands of people vote for me in the Republican primary. If I can get those hundreds of thousands of people to trust me and show up and vote for Luke, because it’s what’s best for Texas energy, I might actually be able to make a difference.” 

— Stogner, Dallas Morning News, Sept. 26, 2022.

Jay Kleberg, Democrat for Texas land commissioner:

• Former State Rep. Byron Cook
• Former Texas Secretary of State Geoff Connor
• Former Mayor of Uvalde J.A. Carnes
• Former District Attorney Patrick Wilson (Ellis County)
• Kingsville Mayor Sam Fugate
• Wimberley Mayor Gina Fulkerson
• Former San Antonio City Councilman Joe Krier

“Jay understands the value of Texas lands, wildlife and heritage. But he also knows we need to manage those assets in a way that produces income and services for our present society while preserving them for generations to come. I urge not just my fellow Republicans, but all Texans to embrace an energetic vision for Texas and vote for Jay Kleberg for Land Commissioner.”

— Former Secretary of State Geoff Connor, a release from Kleberg, Oct. 14, 2022.

“Jay Kleberg will steward Texas’ public lands so our children and grandchildren never become dependent on a foreign soil for our food, fiber and shelter. One of the great things about Texas is its independence. Let’s act independent of party and in the best interests of Texas…I know a vote for Jay Kleberg is what is best for our state and I am proud to endorse him — because Texas matters.”

— Former Uvalde Mayor Carnes, a release from Kleberg, Oct. 14, 2022.

Did we miss a key crossover endorsement? Whether it’s for one of these candidates or another one, let us know!

Early voting begins Oct. 24. Visit Vote411.org to see what’s on your ballot. For information on Voter IDs, election deadlines, and more, check out GoVoteTexas.org!