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March 4, 2014 Texas Primary Results
March 4, 2014
NRCC MEMO: TEXAS PRIMARY RESULTS
TO: INTERESTED PARTIESFROM: NRCC POLITICAL AND NRCC COMMUNICATIONS
DATE: MARCH 4, 2014
SUBJECT: TEXAS PRIMARY RESULTS
The primary election in Texas today is the first primary in the nation of the 2014 election cycle. Two congressional races in this red state are worth watching – the 23rd and 36th districts. The 23rd district is a swing district and a competitive race. The 36th district is an open seat that will stay in Republican hands.
In the 23rd district, former Rep. Quico Canseco and former CIA agent Will Hurd are vying for the Republican nomination. Both candidates have proven they have the ability to compete with freshman Rep. Pete Gallego, a staunch supporter of President Obama’s agenda, in November. Canseco and Hurd have the experience and resources necessary to challenge Gallego’s record of supporting higher taxes, more government spending, and ObamaCare’s failures in Washington.
Republicans are in a solid position to hold Texas’ 36th Congressional District. In the 36th district, Republican primary voters chose between a dozen candidates to represent them in Congress. Regardless of the outcome, a Republican will continue to represent this district.
CHALLENGER
TX-23: Rep. Pete Gallego, D v. Quico Canseco (R) / Will Hurd (R)
In his first term in Congress, Pete Gallego has toed the Democratic Party line by supporting President Obama’s devastating health care law. Gallego has consistently voted against the interests of his constituents in this swing district and instead has voted in lock step with Democratic leadership. Texans in the 23rd district want real leadership and an elected official that has the experience necessary to turn our economy around and create new middle class jobs. Former Rep. Quico Canseco and Will Hurd will restore fiscal sanity to the federal government.
Background on Quico Canseco: Former Congressman Francisco "Quico" Canseco was born and raised along the north bank of the Rio Grande in Laredo, Texas. Elected to Congress in 2010, Quico battled the Obama Administration on things that mattered to Texans. Quico led the fight to protect ordinary Texans, not Washington. His landmark victories include: doing battle with the Department of the Interior's Fish and Wildlife Service to prevent them from crippling Texas’s energy industry for the sake of a single Texas lizard and fighting FEMA for assistance during the West Texas wildfires. He also fought to protect Texans from a spillover of cross-border violence by beefing-up border security. Most importantly of all, Quico has become a leading Conservative Hispanic voice in Congress, serving as vice chair of the Congressional Hispanic Conference
Background on Will Hurd: Will Hurd served our country for nearly a decade as an undercover officer in the CIA, working primarily in the Middle East and South Asia on behalf of the United States. Will is a San Antonio native, graduate of John Marshall high school, who worked his way through Texas A&M University while serving as its Student Body President. During his time at the CIA, Will led dangerous intelligence collection missions in countries like Pakistan, India and Afghanistan.Will returned to San Antonio after leaving the CIA, joining the Crumpton Group as a partner and helping build the cybersecurity company FusionX. At both companies, he helped businesses be competitive in increasingly complex global markets.
Geography: PVI: R+3; Romney 51%; Cook Political Report rates this race as Lean Democratic, as does Rothenberg Political Report.
OPEN SEATS
TX-36: Brian Babin (R) / Ben Streusand (R)
The 36th Congressional District in Texas is one of the most solidly Republican districts in the state. With Rep. Steve Stockman’s retirement, nearly a dozen Republicans vied for this seat. One thing is clear; this district will remain in Republican hands regardless of who Republican voters select to represent them in Congress.
Background on Brian Babin: Brian Babin is a life-long resident of East Texas. He graduated with a Bachelor of Science from Lamar University and completed dental school at the University of Texas Dental Branch in Houston, Texas. Dr. Babin served as an airborne artilleryman in the U.S. Army Reserve and in the Texas Army National Guard and held various jobs to put himself through school. Following his graduation from dental school, he served in the United States Air Force and was stationed overseas. In 1979, Dr. Babin returned to East Texas and settled in Woodville where he opened a dental office. Over the past three-plus decades in Woodville, he has served as Woodville’s Mayor, City Councilman, and ISD School Board Member.
Background on Ben Streusand: A self-made businessman, Ben is a 30-year veteran of the mortgage and investment banking industry and is the former President of the Texas Mortgage Bankers Association. Governor Rick Perry appointed Ben to the Interstate Oil and Gas Compact Commission in 2002. Lt. Governor David Dewhurst appointed him, in 2011, to the board of directors of the Texas Pre-Paid Higher Tuition Fund, to help manage the over $2 billion contributed by parents, to pay for the college education of their children, and to protect taxpayers from additional liability.
Geography: PVI: R+25; Romney 73%; The Cook Political Report rates this race as Solid Republican and the 16th most Republican district. Rothenberg Political Report rates it Safe Republican.
STATEWIDE ROUNDUP
The following are the unofficial results from Tuesday’s primary election in Texas. These results are unofficial and incomplete.
*Indicates Winner determined by AP
R Indicates May 27th run-off
| TX-23 REP Primary | |
| 58.5% Reporting | |
| Quico Canseco R | 40.7% |
| Will Hurd R | 39.6% |
| Robert Lowry | 19.7% |
| |
|
| TX-36 REP Primary | |
| 42% Reporting | |
| Brian Babin R | 34.9% |
| Ben Streusand R | 23.9% |
March 4, 2014
DCCC Chairman Steve Israel’s Statement on the Republican Runoff in TX-23
DCCC Chairman Steve Israel released the following statement regarding the Republican runoff in Texas’s 23rd Congressional District.
“Republicans’ Tea Party Civil War is on full display in Texas’ 23rd Congressional District, with voters sending Quico Canseco and Will Hurd to a runoff, where they will drive each other even further out of the mainstream. Pete Gallego has a proven record as a results-oriented, problem-solving champion for Texas’s middle class, and Republicans made his reelection even more likely by prolonging their intra-party battle among two unelectable candidates.”
March 4, 2014
RGA Statement On Texas Gubernatorial Primary
WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Republican Governors Association issued the following statements tonight regarding the results of the Texas gubernatorial primary:
“Greg Abbott’s victory gives Texans a candidate with a strong record of pro-jobs policies and successful conservative leadership,” said RGA Chairman Chris Christie. “As an avid defender of state sovereignty, Greg has amassed an unprecedented record for preserving individual rights and stopping federal overreach. Greg’s focus on protecting children, families, and traditional values proves he will make a great governor for the state of Texas. The Republican Governors Association is proud to support Greg Abbott’s campaign for Governor of Texas and congratulates him on his win tonight.”
“In Wendy Davis, Democrats have elevated a candidate for governor whose single-issue campaign, extreme liberalism and inability to tell the truth stands in direct contrast to the leadership Texans have come to expect,” said RGA Executive Director Phil Cox. “Wendy Davis may be a favorite of Washington D.C. liberals like Nancy Pelosi, but in Texas her campaign falls flat on its face.”
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Austin, TX -- Tonight, Wendy Davis clinched the Democratic nomination for Governor. With the nomination of Senator Van de Putte for Lt. Governor, Texans now know they will have the opportunity to vote for two strong Texas women at the top of the Democratic ticket.
Texas Democratic Party Chairman Gilberto Hinojosa released the following statement:
“We are so proud that Senator Wendy Davis is our Democratic nominee to be the next Governor of Texas. Her leadership has sparked a movement across the state that is firmly focused on the future. Wendy Davis is a proven fighter, and she is ready to lead for our schools, a better economy, and more jobs. With Senators Davis and Van de Putte at the top of the ticket, Democrats know that Texas’ best days are in front of us.
This November, Democrats offer Texans a diverse roster of strong candidates. Senator Davis and Texas Democrats are focused on keeping Texas strong and investing in the next generation. Meanwhile, Greg Abbott and Texas Republicans continue to spew toxic rhetoric. They are stuck on the fringe, supporting arcane issues, and embracing Ted Nugent, a known racist and misogynist. That is not the Texas that I know.”
March 5, 2014
Chairman Steve Munisteri
Don't California Our Texas
After a spirited primary, there are two obvious takeaways from Election Day. First, grassroots conservatives from across Texas have nominated a number of great candidates to be on the Republican ticket in November. Upon hearing the results, Chairman Munisteri extended well wishes to all primary winners. “I would like to congratulate General Abbott and Senator Cornyn on receiving our party’s nomination at the top of the ticket and look forward to working with all our nominees to ensure Texas remains a conservative, business friendly red state.”While there are several statewide positions heading for a May runoff, it is imperative that as Republicans, we begin to coalesce behind our nominees. The first step in showing your support is simple – find and follow these candidates on social media. This is the easiest way to get plugged into campaigns across the state and stay up to date on the latest news and event information.
Despite boasts from Democrats that this year will be different and despite their well publicized proclamations that they would increase Democrat participation, in fact Republican turnout has outnumbered them by well over 2 to 1. In addition, their vote total was actually less than in their 2010 gubernatorial primary.
Make no mistake – this is our opportunity to deliver a message to the Washington DC and Chicago Obama operatives: Don’t California Our Texas! We will be announcing ways you can help deliver that message in the coming days. But for tonight, rest well knowing the future of our great state is in the good and capable hands of our Republican nominees.
EMILY's List
March 5, 2014
EMILY’s List Commends Wendy Davis and Leticia Van de Putte on Strong Momentum Into the General Election
“Wendy Davis and Leticia Van de Putte are both powerhouse candidates energizing Texas voters, and as they both advance to their matchups in the general election, the contrast against their opponents is crystal clear,” said Stephanie Schriock, President of EMILY’s List. “Wendy and Leticia are both deeply committed to creating a Texas where all families have a fair shot to write their own story, while their opponents will be forced to defend their agenda of turning back the clock on Texans’ rights.”
EMILY’s List, the nation’s largest resource for women in politics, has raised over $350 million to support pro-choice Democratic women candidates – making it one of the most successful political action committees in the country. Throughout its 29 year history, the organization has recruited and trained over 9,000 women to run, worked to elect 102 pro-choice Democratic women to the House, 19 to the Senate, 10 governors, and over five hundred women to state and local office. Since its founding in 1985, EMILY’s List helped elect 97% of the Democratic women of color in Congress, including every single Latina, African American, and Asian American Democratic woman currently serving. And during the 2011-2012 cycle, EMILY’s List had the largest number of members and donors in its history and raised a record-breaking $52 million dollars. With the help of this growing community — now more than three million members strong — EMILY’s List helped elect an historic number of candidates in 2012 including 19 new women to the House, six Senate incumbents, three new Senators, and 186 state and local officials.
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