TX-23: Gallego a No

Former one-term Rep. Pete Gallego (D-Alpine), who has lost the last two consecutive elections to Texas Rep. Will Hurd (R-San Antonio), announced yesterday that he will not be a congressional candidate next year.  The former Congressman had filed a FEC committee for 2017-18, and said he was hoping the federal redistricting decision would change the district boundaries to his, and the Democrats’, benefit.  But, such did not happen, as the court did not alter this particular district that stretches from San Antonio all the way to El Paso. 
 
Responding to the decision, Mr. Gallego will now yield to other Democratic candidates.  Already announced are former federal prosecutor Jay Hulings, ex-San Antonio City Council candidate Rick Trevino, and Iraq War veteran and ex-US trade official Gina Ortiz Jones.  Former state Rep. Trey Martinez Fischer (D) is said to be weighing his political options with respect to this campaign.  It is likely this district will feature another toss-up contest next year.

--Jim Ellis