TX-23: Additional Democrats Announce

With the special three-judge federal panel surprisingly not changing the 23rd District boundaries as part of their new redistricting lawsuit ruling, movement is now occurring in Democratic circles about who will oppose two-term Rep. Will Hurd (R-San Antonio) next year.  Former Rep. Pete Gallego (D-Alpine), who has lost the last two consecutive races to Mr. Hurd, is considering running but now will have company in the Democratic primary should he do so.  On Monday, former federal prosecutor Jay Hulings (D) announced his candidacy, and is viewed as a credible candidate who will bring resources to his political effort.   Yesterday, defeated San Antonio City Council candidate and Bernie Sanders activist Rick Trevino also declared his congressional bid.  Mr. Trevino failed to qualify for the 6th Council District run-off in early May by just 29 votes.
 
The political focus now turns upon Mr. Gallego and may force him to make a faster decision about whether he will again try to regain the seat he held between 2013-14.  There is no question Rep. Hurd will be vulnerable in Texas’ lone swing congressional seat, a district that stretches from San Antonio all the way to El Paso.  His two win percentages are 50 (2014) and 48% (2016).   Before winning election to his single congressional term in 2012, Mr. Gallego served eleven terms in the Texas House of Representatives.

--Jim Ellis