The results are in from the May 2014 runoff primary election. How will these results impact education in San Antonio, Bexar County, and Texas? What can we expect at the general election on November 4, 2014?
U.S. Congress
Will Hurd defeated Francisco “Quico” Canseco in the runoff and will be the Republican nominee for District 23 in the United States Congress. “Hurd wins GOP primary for 23rd District”, Josh Baugh, San Antonio Express-News, May 27, 2014. Read my interview with Hurd on education issues in this earlier post. Hurd will face incumbent Democrat Pete Gallego (Alpine) in November; here is Gallego’s official site and his campaign site.
Lieutenant Governor
Dan Patrick defeated incumbent David Dewhurst for the Republican nomination for Lieutenant Governor. “Patrick defeats Dewhurst”, David Saleh Rauf, San Antonio Express-News, May 27, 2014; “Tea Party Conservatives Win Top GOP Runoff Contests”, Brandi Grissom, Texas Tribune, May 28, 2014. Here is Patrick’s official site as State Senator for District 7 in Houston, and his campaign site. Patrick is known as a champion for school choice in the 2013 legislature, including his leadership on SB2, the charter school bill; read more in this earlier post, among others. In his new role, he could have a significant impact on committee appointments and the 2015 legislative agenda.
Dan Patrick
In November, Patrick will face Leticia Van de Putte, the Democratic nominee for Lieutenant Governor. Here is her official site as State Senator for District 26 in San Antonio, and her campaign site.
State Board of Education
Patricia “Pat” Hardy (Weatherford) defeated Eric Mahroum to secure the Republican nomination for the District 11 seat on the State Board of Education. will meet in the May runoff primary. “Pat Hardy, Erika Beltran lead for education board”, Terrence Stutz, Dallas Morning News, May 27, 2014. Here is Hardy’s official page and her Facebook page. Hardy will face a Libertarian candidate and Democratic nominee Nancy Bean in November; here is Bean’s campaign site and her Facebook page.
In District 13, Erika Beltran (Dallas) defeated Andrea Hilburn for the Democratic nomination. Here is Beltran’s campaign site and Facebook page. Beltran is supported by Democrats for Education Reform and endorsed by the Burnt Orange Report. Beltran will face a Libertarian candidate in November.
For more information about State Board of Education races, see SBOE Election Watch from Texas Freedom Network and the SBOE tab on the Texas Tribune‘s 2014 Election Brackets.
Texas House
Andrew Murr (Junction) defeated Rob Hennecke (Kerrville) for the Republican nomination to represent District 53. “Murr the likely winner in the District 53 runoff”, Zeke MacCormack, San Antonio Express-News, May 27, 2014. Murr will face a Libertarian candidate in November.
Democrat Mike Villarreal (San Antonio) is expected to win reelection to his District 123 seat, facing only a Green party opponent in November. Here is Villarreal’s official site in the legislature and his campaign site. But, Villarreal recently announced his candidacy for mayor of San Antonio. “Villarreal wants to run for mayor”, Brian Chasnoff, San Antonio Express-News, May 22, 2014; “Villarreal and Bernal might play musical chairs”, Gilbert Garcia, San Antonio Express-News, May 22, 2014; “Why I’m running for mayor of San Antonio”, Mike Villarreal, Trib Talk, May 27, 2014; “Coming home to make an impact”, Randy Bear, Bexar Left and Right, May 28, 2014.
Mayor Julian Castro is leaving his position to serve as Secretary of the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). “President Obama Nominates Julián Castro as Next HUD Secretary, and Shaun Donovan as OMB Director”, Eric Schultz, White House Blog, May 22, 2014. Here is an earlier post about Castro’s involvement in the Mayors for Educational Excellence Tour (MEET), including his efforts to improve education and housing on San Antonio’s east side.
Julian Castro with MEET colleagues
Bexar County Commissioner
Tommy Calvert defeated Debra Guerrero for the Democratic nomination for Bexar County Commissioner, Precinct 4. “County races will reshape Commissioners Court”, Eva Ruth Moravec, San Antonio Express-News, March 5, 2014. Calvert is the General Manager of radio station KROV-FM; here is Calvert’s campaign site. In November, Calvert will face Timothy Wilson, mayor of Kirby, who defeated Alan E. Baxter for the Republican nomination.
Hurd, Patrick, and Beltran are likely to be influential supporters of parental choice and innovative policies in education, and it’s good news that they advanced from the runoff primary to the November 2014 general election. Local observers, however, should carefully watch the appointment of the interim mayor—who may or may not run for a full term in the May 9, 2015 election. “‘Full-tilt boogie’ for mayor”, Brian Chasnoff, San Antonio Express-News, May 19, 2014; “A year away and it’s getting crowded”, Randy Bear, Bexar Left and Right, May 21, 2014. City council member Rey Saldaña is eligible for the appointment; this earlier post has my interview with Saldaña about his role at KIPP San Antonio.
For more information:
- Bexar County Elections Department
- Election offices in surrounding counties: Bandera, Comal, Frio, Gonzales, Guadalupe, Karnes, Kendall, Kerr, Medina, and Wilson
- “Who represents me?”—search with your address
- Texas Tribune News App: 2014 Election Brackets
- “Primary runoff election results”, Mary Tuma, San Antonio Current, May 27, 2014
- “2014 Primary Election Runoff”, Heather Hernandez, Geekette Bits, May 21, 2014
- My earlier post about the March 2014 primary election
- My earlier post about the 2012 primary election
