Roll Call: The Democrat and Republican Candidates Running in the Texas House Primary
March 1, 2020 - San Antonio
Nothin’ but blue skies for State Rep. Diego Bernal (D-San Antonio), who is once again running unopposed in both the Democratic primary and in the general election. Photo: Jade Esteban Estrada.
By Jade Esteban Estrada - Political Columnist, San Antonio Sentinel
In the days leading up to Super Tuesday, gathering information about state and local-level elections can be a challenge over the cranked-up volume of the national narrative. As glittery as presidential candidates can sometimes be, it could be argued that those elected to the Texas House of Representatives play a more significant role in our daily lives as the officials who approve and formally sanction state laws and regulations. As far as the House primaries are concerned, Tuesday is the day we narrow the playing field. Here’s a last-minute look at the Democrat and Republican candidates vying for a seat in the bustling Pink Dome.
In House District 116, incumbent Trey Martinez Fischer and challenger Evan Bohl are the only two candidates in the Democratic primary. In the Republican race, Fernando Padron and Robert Litoff are campaigning for their party’s nomination.
District 117 State Rep. Philip Cortez, who was first elected to the Texas House in 2012, is running unopposed. In the Republican primary, Carlos Antonio Raymond is also the only candidate on the GOP ticket. Cortez and Raymond will ultimately face off in November, but they have the advantage of more time to campaign.
The two candidates in the District 118 race also have their eyes set on the general election. State Rep. Leo Pacheco is running unopposed in the Democratic primary and former Universal City Councilman Adam Salyer is the only Republican candidate.
After State Rep. Roland Gutierrez announced his bid for a Texas Senate seat, three Democrats tossed their name in the hat for the chance to represent House District 119. Since his November announcement, candidates Sean Villasana, Jennifer Ramos and Elizabeth “Liz” Campos have been block walking and making themselves known to constituents. Ramos, the former District 3 representative on San Antonio’s city council, earned an endorsement last month from the San Antonio Express-News Editorial Board. The Democrat who wins the primary will face Republican George B. Garza, who is running unopposed in the GOP primary.
State Rep. Lyle Larson, who was first elected to the Texas House in 2010, is running unopposed in the GOP primary. Other Republican challengers are facing contests in districts that have a history of electing Democratic politicians to the State Legislature. Photo: Jade Esteban Estrada.
In District 120, State Rep. Barbara Gervin-Hawkins, the sister of retired basketball player George Gervin of the San Antonio Spurs, is also running unopposed. In the Republican primary, Ronald Payne and Andrew Fernandez Vicencio are the only two names on the ballot.
Like the race in House District 119, Becca Moyer Defelice, Celina Montoya and Jack Guerra are also three Democrats hoping to win the party nomination for D-121. Incumbent Steve Allison is running unopposed in his Republican primary.
In District 122, State Rep. Lyle Larson (R-San Antonio) is also running unopposed. The Bexar County native is a former San Antonio City Council member (District 10) who also served as the county commissioner for Precinct 3 from 1997-2008. Claire Barnett is the lone candidate running in the Democratic primary. Larson defeated Barnett in the 2018 general election. In November, she will once again get the chance to challenge him at the polls.
The Democratic incumbents in House Districts 123, 124 and 125 are running for re-election without opposition in the primary and general election.
In D-123, State Rep. Diego Bernal, is running unopposed in both the primary and in general election for a third time.
Ina Minjarez, the state representative for D-124, is also running unopposed in both elections.
Like Bernal and Minjarez, State Rep. Ray Lopez is not being challenged in D-125. His story was part of a Democratic domino effect that took place from 2018-2019. Lopez, a former city councilman, won a special election last year after Justin Rodriguez vacated his seat to accept an appointment to serve as Bexar County commissioner after the unexpected death of his predecessor, Paul Elizondo. This will be Lopez’s first time running for a full term in the Texas House.
FURTHER READING: Debate Stage Set for Democratic Candidates in Precinct 2 Commissioner Race
Here are a few things to keep in mind: Proper identification is required when showing up to the polls. Also, if a voter casts a ballot for a political party in the primary, that voter must vote for the same party in the runoff election on May 26. If a voter does not vote on March 3, he or she may vote in the May 26 runoff and can choose their party at that time. Voting in a party’s primary election determines a voter’s affiliation for the rest of the calendar year.
Lastly, if one plans on voting for a Green Party or Libertarian Party candidate, that individual should not vote in the primary election; the Green Party and the Libertarian Party vote by convention and do not participate in the primary election.
Jade Esteban Estrada is a contributor to The Associated Press. He also covers politics for the San Antonio Sentinel. He can be reached at jade@sasentinel.com.