TEXAS

Your complete directory of Texas candidates for Governor, State Cabinet, United State Senator and Congress in the current election cycle ... state political parties ... the official state election office ... and state news sources.

"Politics1 offers a fine web starting point to examine would-be [political] players."
- Fort Worth Star-Telegram

CANDIDATE DIRECTORY LEGEND:
Bold = Active Candidate
Italics = Potential Candidate
* = Incumbent
= Winner
(Incumbent Party Listed First)

Filing Deadline (Major Parties): December 19, 2011 (reopens for one day on February 1, 2012 for all races)
Filing Deadline (Third Parties & Independents): June 17, 2012
Filing Deadline (Write-In Candidates): August 20, 2012
Primary: April 3, 2012
Run-Off: June 5, 2012

This page was last updated on January 30, 2012

STATE CONSTITUTIONAL OFFICERS:

GOVERNOR:
Rick Perry (R)* - (Campaign Site)

Next State Constitutional Officer Elections in 2014.

LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR:
David Dewhurst (R)* - (Campaign Site)
Susan Combs (R) - State Comptroller, Ex-State Agriculture Commissioner, Ex-State Rep. & Attorney
Jerry Patterson (R) - State Land Commissioner, Ex-State Sen., Businessman & Vietnam War Veteran
Todd Staples (R) - State Agriculture Commissioner, Ex-State Sen., Ex-State Rep., Ex-Palestine Mayor & Farmer

ATTORNEY GENERAL:
Greg Abbott (R)* - (Campaign Site)

COMPTROLLER:
Susan Combs (R)* - (Campaign Site)

STATE LAND COMMISSIONER:
[ Jerry Patterson (R)* - Candidate for Lt. Governor in 2014. ]

STATE AGRICULTURE COMMISSIONER:
[ Todd Staples (R)* - Candidate for Lt. Governor in 2014. ]

STATE RAILROAD COMMISSION:

FULL TERM:
[ Elizabeth Ames Jones (R)* - Candidate for State Senate in 2012. ]
Becky Berger (R) - Geologist & GOP Activist
Beryl Burgess (R) - Retired Federal Agricultural Specialist
Warren Chisum (R) - State Rep. & Businessman
Christi Craddick (R) - Attorney, Businesswoman & Daughter of Ex-State House Speaker Tom Craddick
Roland Sledge (R) - Attorney, Energy Executive & Army Veteran
Dale Henry (D) - Ex-Mills County Commissioner, Petroleum Engineer, USAF Veteran & Frequent Candidate
Vivekananda Wall (Libertarian) - Physician

UNEXPIRED TERM - Special Election in 2012 (Next Regular Election in 2014):
Barry Smitherman (R)* - (Campaign Site) - Special Election in 2012 & Next Regular Election in 2014.
Greg Parker (R) - Comal County Commissioner & Army Veteran
Jaime Perez (Libertarian) - Libertarian Activist

STATE LEGISLATURE:

State House

State Senate

U.S. SENATOR:

[ Kay Bailey Hutchison (R)* - Retiring in 2012. ]
Glenn Addison (R) - Funeral Home/Cemetary Owner & Ex-Insurance Agency Owner
Joe Agris (R) - Plastic Surgeon & '08 State Rep. Nominee
Curt Cleaver (R) - Hotel Management Consultant
Ted Cruz (R) - Ex-State Solicitor General & Attorney
David Dewhurst (R) - Lt. Governor, Ex-State Land Commissioner, Ex-Businessman, Ex-CIA Agent & USAF Veteran
Ben Gambini (R)
Charles Holcomb (R) - Retired State Criminal Appeals Court Judge
Craig James (R) - TV Sports Analyst & Ex-Pro Football Player
Tom Leppert (R) - Ex-Dallas Mayor, Businessman & Ex-White House Fellow
Lela Pittenger (R) - Bible Studies Teacher
Addie Dainell Allen (D)
Dan Boone (D) - Psychologist, Businessman, Retired USAF Officer & '10 Texas SBOE Candidate
Jason Gibson (D) - Attorney
Sean Hubbard (D) - Businessman & Democratic Activist
Paul Sadler (D) - Ex-State Rep., Attorney & Non-Profit Group Executive
Eric Kirkland (Constitution) - Marketing Consultant, Gulf War Veteran & Frequent Candidate
Wayne Huffman (Libertarian)
Scott Jameson (Libertarian) - Computer Engineer, Ex-Stockbroker & Frequent Candidate
Jon Roland (Libertarian) - Computer Programmer, USAF Veteran & '06/'02 Nominee
Michael Champion (Independent) - Physician Assistant, Nurse & Army Veteran

John Cornyn (R)* - (Campaign Site) - Next Election in 2014.

U.S. CONGRESS:

** New 2012 Districts Used Below **

District 1:
Louie Gohmert (R)* - (Campaign Site)
Shirley McKellar (D) - Non-Profit Group Founder, Nursing Professional & Retired Army Officer

District 2:
Ted Poe (R)* - (Campaign Site)
James Veasaw (LIbertarian)
John Wieder (Libertarian)

District 3:
Sam Johnson (R)* - (Campaign Site)
Josh Caesar (R) - Software Engineer
Harry Pierce (R) - Retired Pilot & '10 Write-In Candidate
Chris Claytor (Libertarian) - Engineering Program Manager, Army Veteran & Frequent Candidate

District 4:
Ralph Hall (R)* - (Campaign Site)
John Cooper (R) - Businessman, Pastor & '10 Candidate
Lou Gigliotti (R) - Auto Racing Parts Company Owner, Ex-Teacher & '10 Candidate

District 5:
Jeb Hensarling (R)* - (Campaign Site)
Tom Berry (D) - Retired Railroad Conductor, Labor Union Activist & '10 Nominee
Ken Ashby (Libertarian) - Engineer, Retired Teacher & Frequent Candidate

District 6:
Joe Barton (R)* - (Campaign Site)
Joe Chow (R) - Ex-Addison Mayor, Ex-Addison City Councilman, Insurance Agent & Restaurant Owner
Frank Kuchar (R) - Corporate Payroll Professional & Ex-Minister
David Alameel (D) - Businessman & Army Veteran
Don Jaquess (D) - Retired Ironworker, Businessman & Vietnam War Veteran
Hugh Chauvin (Libertarian)

District 7:
John Culberson (R)* - (Campaign Site)
Phillip Andrews (D) - Private Security Contractor & '10 State Rep. Candidate
James Cargas (D) - Attorney, Ex-Clinton White House Aide & Ex-Congressional Aide
Drew Parks (Libertarian) - Research Scientist, Vietnam Veteran & Frequent Candidate

District 8:
Kevin Brady (R)* - (Campaign Site)
Larry Youngblood (R) - Retired Businessman, Ex-Teacher & Tea Party Activist
Neil Burns (D) - Retired Oil Company CFO
Roy Hall (Libertarian) - Credit Counselor

District 9:
Al Green (D)*
Steve Mueller (R) - Project Manager, Industrial Engineer & '10 Nominee

District 10:
Michael McCaul (R)* - (Campaign Site)
Ernie Beltz Jr. (R) - Ex-Federal Agency Program Manager, Ex-Insurance Agent & USMC Veteran
Eddie Traylor (R) - Retired Airline Pilot, USAF Veteran & '10 Candidate
Dan Grant (D) - Foreign Policy Advisor, International Elections Consultant & '08 Candidate
Richard Priest (Libertarian)

District 11:
Mike Conaway (R)* - (Campaign Site)
Chris Younts (R) - Rancher, Insurance Agent, Tea Party Activist & '10 Candidate
Jim Riley (D) - Restaurant Owner & Army Veteran
John Ulstrom (Independent)

District 12:
Kay Granger (R)* - (Campaign Site)
Dave Robinson (D) - Retired Teacher & Vietnam War Veteran
Patrick Hisel (Libertarian) - Physician
Matt Solodow (Libertarian) - IT Consultant & '10 Nominee

District 13:
Mac Thornberry (R)* - (Campaign Site)
Pam Barlow (R) - Veterinarian

District 14:
[ Ron Paul (R)* - Retiring in 2012. ]
Tim Day (R) - Filmmaker & Businessman
John Gay (R) - School District Administrator & USCG Veteran
Robert Gonzalez (R) - Computer Systems Analyst & Tea Party Activist
George Harper (R) - Petro-Chemical Engineer, Tea Party Activist & '96 Candidate
Felicia Harris (R) - Pearland City Councilwoman & Attorney
Mark Mansius (R) - Process Control Engineer
Jay Old (R) - Attorney
Bill Sargent (R) - Retired Navy Officer, Ex-Congressional Aide & Galveston County Elections Official
Michael Truncale (R) - Texas State University Regent, Attorney, GOP Activist & Episcopal Lay Minister
Randy Weber (R) - State Rep., Ex-Pearland City Councilman & Air Conditioning Contractor
Nick Lampson (D) - Ex-Congressman, Ex-Jefferson County Tax Assessor & Ex-Teacher
Zach Grady (Libertarian) - HVAC Contractor & Libertarian Activist
Amy Jacobellis (Libertarian) - Jefferson County Libertarian Chair & Real Estate Agent
Eugene Flynn (Independent) - Attorney, Ex-Libertarian State Committee Member & Frequent Candidate

District 15:
Ruben Hinojosa (D)* - (Campaign Site)
David Cantu (D) - Rancher & Farmer
Jane Cross (D) - Teacher
Johnny Partain (D) - Businessman
Ruben Ramirez (D) - Attorney
Dale Brueggemann (R) - Businessman
Jim Kuiken (R) - Security Consultant, Ex-US Border Patrol Agent & USMC Veteran
Eddie Zamora (R) - Salesman, Minister & Frequent Candidate

District 16:
Silvestre Reyes (D)* - (Campaign Site)
Ben "Buddy" Mendoza (D)
Beto O'Rourke (D) - Ex-El Paso City Councilman & Businessman
Jerome Tilghman (D) - Teacher & Retired Army Officer
Corey Roen (R) - Retired Army Officer & Businessman
Junart Sodoy (Libertarian)

District 17:
Bill Flores (R)* - (Campaign Site)
Ben Easton (Libertarian)

District 18:
Sheila Jackson Lee (D)* - (Campaign Site)
Sean Seibert (R) - Retired Army Officer & Afghan War Veteran
Mike Taylor (Libertarian) - Retail Manager, Libertarian Activist & '08/'10 Nominee
Maurice Duhon (Independent) - Realtor

District 19:
Randy Neugebauer (R)* - (Campaign Site)
Richard "Chip" Peterson (Libertarian) - Retired College Professor & Frequent Candidate

District 20:
[ Charlie Gonzalez (D)* - Retiring in 2012. ]
Joaquin Castro (D) - State Rep. & Brother of San Antonio Mayor Julian Castro
Ezra Johnson (D) - Attorney
David Rosa (R) - Economist, USAF Veteran & GOP Activist
A.E. "Tracy" Potts (Libertarian)

District 21:
Lamar Smith (R)* - (Campaign Site)
Elaine Henderson (D)
John-Henry Liberty (Libertarian)
James Strohm (Libertarian) - Computer Programmer & '08/'10 Nominee

District 22:
Pete Olson (R)* - (Campaign Site)
Barbara Carlson (R) - Businesswoman & Author
Doug Blatt (D) - Information Systems Consultant & Army Veteran
K.P. George (D) - Financial Planner, Realtor & '10 Fort Bend County Treasurer Nominee
Kesha Rogers (D) - LaRouche Activist & '10 Candidate
Steve Susman (Libertarian) - Tea Party Activist & '10 Nominee

District 23:
Francisco "Quico" Canseco (R)* - (Campaign Site)
John Bustamante (D) - Attorney & Son of Ex-US Rep. Albert Bustamante
Pete Gallego (D) - State Rep. & Attorney
J.B. Oswalt (Libertarian) - '10 Nominee
Craig Stephens (Independent) - IT Consultant, Navy Veteran & '06/'10 Candidate

District 24:
Kenny Marchant (R)* - (Campaign Site)
Grant Stinchfield (R) - Auto Repair Shop Owner, Ex-TV News Reporter & Tea Party Activist
Patrick McGehearty (D) - Computer Engineer
David Sparks (Libertarian) ' 10 Nominee

District 25:
Lloyd Doggett (D)* - (Campaign Site)
Bill Burch (R) - Conservative Activist & Frequent Candidate
Dianne Costa (R) - Highland Village Mayor, Ex-Highland Village City Councilwoman & Mediator
Dave Garrison (R) - Retired Insurance Company Executive & Attorney
Justin Hewlett (R) - Cleburne Mayor, Ex-Cleburn School Board Member & Businessman
Brian Matthews (R) - Tea Party Activist
Wes Riddle (R) - College Professor, Retired Army Officer, Tea Party Activist & '04 Candidate
Chad Wilbanks (R) - Political Consultant & Ex-State GOP Executive Director
Michael Williams (R) - Ex-State Railroad Commissioner, Ex-Assistant US Education Secretary & Attorney
Scott Ballard (Libertarian)

District 26:
Michael Burgess (R)* - (Campaign Site)
David Sanchez (D)
Mark Boler (Libertarian) - Computer Engineer & '10 Nominee

District 27:
R. Blake Farenthold (R)* - (Campaign Site)
Don Al Middlebrook (R) - Construction Contractor
Ramiro Garza (D) - Ex-Edinburg City Manager
Rose Meza Harrison (D) - Nueces County Democratic Chair & Attorney
Denise Saenz Blanchard (D) - Ex-Congressional Aide
Salomon Torres (D) - Attorney & Ex-Congressional Aide
Anthony Troiani (D) - Ex-Brownsville City Commissioner, Attorney & USMC Veteran
Armando Villalobos (D) - Cameron County District Attorney

District 28:
Henry Cuellar (D)* - (Campaign Site)
William Hayward (R) - Ostrich Rancher

District 29:
Gene Green (D)*
James Stanczak (Libertarian)

District 30:
Eddie Bernice Johnson (D)* - (Campaign Site)
Barbara Mallory Caraway (D) - State Rep., Ex-Dallas City Councilwoman & Government Affairs Consultant
Taj Clayton (D) - Attorney
Travis Washington Jr. (R) - Retired USAF Officer
Ed Rankin (Libertarian)

District 31:
John Carter (R)* - (Campaign Site)
Stephen Wyman (D) - Telecommunications Technical Professional, Progressive Activist & '10 State Sen. Candidate
Ethan Garofolo (Libertarian)

District 32:
Pete Sessions (R)* - (Campaign Site)
Walter Hofheinz (D) - Attorney, Software Developer, Artist & '02 Candidate
Seth Hollist (Libertarian)
Brian Zoch (Libertarian)

District 33:
** NEW DISTRICT - NO INCUMBENT **
Chuck Bradley (R) - Retired Businessman
Bill Lawrence (R) - Ex-Highland Village Mayor, Businessman, Attorney & USAF Veteran
Al Lee (R) - Businessman & USAF Veteran
Monte Mitchell (R) - Physician
Roger Williams (R) - Ex-Secretary of State, Businessman & Ex-Minor League Baseball Player
Kathleen Hicks (D) - Fort Worth City Councilwoman & Non-Profit Group Executive Director
Kenneth Sanders (D)
Manuel Valdez (D) - Tarrant County Justice of the Peace
Marc Veasey (D) - State Rep. & Businessman
Tommy Alicea (Libertarian)

District 34:
** NEW DISTRICT - NO INCUMBENT **
Jessica Puente Bradshaw (R) - Tea Party Activist, Realtor, Ex-Teacher & '10 Candidate
Adela Garza (R) - Texas Southmost College Trustee, Ex-Los Fresnos School Board Member & Businesswoman
John Grunwald (R) - Retired Accountant
Paul Haring (R) - Ex-State Rep., Attorney, Pro-Life Activist & Frequent Candidate
Trey Roberts (R) - Attorney
Marc Young (R) - Business Manager & Engineer
Murphy Alade Junaid (D)
Steven "Ziggy" Shanklin (Libertarian)

District 35:
** NEW DISTRICT - NO INCUMBENT **
Susan Narvaiz (R) - Ex-San Marcos Mayor & Business Consultant
Rob Roark (R) - Manufacturing Quality Control Inspector
Maria Luisa Alvarado (D) - USAF Veteran
Ciro Rodriguez (D) - Ex-Congressman, Ex-State Rep. & Social Worker
Sylvia Romo (D) - Bexar County Tax Assessor
Patrick Shearer (D) - Commercial Realtor
Ross Lynn Leone (Libertarian)

District 36:
** NEW DISTRICT - NO INCUMBENT **
Jerry Doyle (R) - Army Veteran
Jim Engstrand (R) - Businessman, National Guard Veteran & '10 Candidate in Minnesota
Ky Griffin (R) - Funeral Director
Mike Jackson (R) - State Senate President Pro Tempore, Ex-State Rep. & Building Contractor
Kim Morrell (R) - Seabrook City Councilman & Businessman
Lois Myers (R) - Marine Supply Company Sales Executive
Stephen Takach (R) - Financial Advisor
Max Martin (D) - Businessman & Ex-Commercial Pilot
Michael Cole (Libertarian) - Teacher

STATE POLITICAL PARTIES:

Texas Communist Party
Constitution Party of Texas
Texas Democratic Party
Texas Green Party
Texas Independent Party
Libertarian Party of Texas
Reform Party of Texas
Republican Party of Texas
Socialist Party of Texas

STATE ELECTION OFFICE:

Secretary of State's Office

State Ethics Commission

STATE NEWS SOURCES:

PRINT MEDIA:
Abilene Reporter-News
Aledo Community News
Allen American
Alpine Avalanche
Alpine Desert-Mountain Times
Amarillo Daily News / Amarillo Globe Times
Angleton Times
Arlington Morning News
Athens Daily Review
Austin American-Statesman
Austin Business Journal
Austin Chronicle (Alternative) - (Political Section)
Austin Review
Baytown Sun
Beaumont Enterprise
Black News Online (African-American)
Brazoria County Facts
Brownsville Herald
Bryan-College Station Eagle
Canyon Lake Times Guardian
Cedar Creek Pilot
Cleveland Advocate
Conroe Courier
Corpus Christi Caller-Times
Corsicana Daily Sun
Cuero Record
Daily Texan (University of Texas)
D Magazine (Dallas)
Dallas Arena
Dallas Business Journal
Dallas Morning News - (Political Section)
Dallas Observer (Alternative)
Dallas Voice (Gay)
Dallas-Fort Worth Heritage (Christian)
Del Rio News-Herald
Denton Record-Chronicle
El Campo Leader-News
El Paso Times
Ellis County Press
Fort Stockton Pioneer
Frisco Enterprise
Fort Worth Commercial Recorder (Legal/Business News)
Fort Worth Star-Telegram
Gainesville Daily Register
Galveston County Daily News
Gilmer Mirror
Greenville Herald-Banner
Groveton News
Harlingen Valley Morning Star
Hood County News
Houston Business Journal
Houston Chronicle - (Politics Section)
Houston County Courier
Houston Forward Times (African-American)
Houston Jewish Herald-Voice
Houston Press (Alternative)
Keene Star Reporter
Kilgore News Herald
Killeen Daily Herald
Kirbyville East Texas Banner
Laredo Morning Times
Lubbock Avalanche-Journal
Lufkin Daily News
McAllen Monitor
Midland Reporter-Telegram
Moore County News-Press
Mt. Pleasant Daily Tribune
Nacogdoches Daily Sentinel
New Braunfels Herald-Zeitung
Odessa American
Pampa News
Paris News
Pasadena Citizen
Pecos Enterprise
Plainview Daily Herald
Plano Star Courier
Pleasanton Express
Port Arthur News
Polk County Enterprise
Randall County Canyon News
Rosenberg Herald-Coaster
Round Rock Leader
San Angelo Standard-Times
San Antonio Business Journal
San Antonio Current (Alternative)
San Antonio Daily Commercial Record (Legal/Business)
San Antonio Express-News
San Marcos Daily Record
San Saba County Review
Seguin Gazette-Enterprise
Seminole Sentinel
Sherman Herald-Democrat
Stephenville Empire-Tribune
Sweetwater Reporter
Temple Daily Telegram
Terrell Tribune
Texarkana Gazette
Texas Almanac
Texas City Sun
Texas Monthly
Texas Observer
Texas Triangle (Gay)
Texas Tribune (Politics)
Tyler Morning Telegraph
Victoria Advocate
Waco Tribune-Herald
Weatherford Democrat
Wharton Journal-Spectator
Wichita Falls Times Record News
Wilson County News
Wise County Messenger

BROADCAST MEDIA:
East Texas Radio
KVUE TV-24 (ABC - Austin)
KXAN TV-36 (NBC - Austin)
KDFW TV-4 (FOX - Dallas)
KTVT TV-11 (CBS - Dallas)
KXAS TV-5 (NBC - Dallas)
WFAA TV-8 (ABC - Dallas)
KDBC TV-4 (CBS - El Paso)
KTSM TV-9 (NBC - El Paso)
KHOU TV-11 (CBS - Houston)
KHWB TV-39 (WB - Houston)
KPRC TV-2 (NBC - Houston)
KTRK TV-13 (ABC - Houston)
KAMC TV-28 (ABC - Lubbock)
KTRE TV-9 (ABC - Lufkin)
KMID TV-2 (ABC - Midland)
KENS TV-5 (CBS - San Antonio)
KSAT TV-12 (ABC - San Antonio)
WOAI TV-4 (NBC - San Antonio)
Texas Cable News
KCEN TV-6 (NBC - Waco)

POLITICAL BLOGS:
AustinBloggers.org
Blog Houston
Burnt Orange Report
Capitol Annex
Capitol Blog
Capitol Inside
Come and Take It
Common Sense
District Sixer
Ellis County Observer
Frontburner (D Magazine)
Gonzo Muckraker
Grits for Breakfast
Houston's Clear Thinkers
In The Pink Texas
The Jeffersonian
LeftyBlogs: Texas
Lone Star Report
Lone Star Times
People's Republic of Seabrook
Pink Dome
PolitickerTX.com
Professors R-Squared
QuorumReport.com
The Red State
Rhymes with Right
Swanky Conservative
Texas GOP Vote
Texas Political Resource Page
Texas Tuesdays
Texas 21
UrbanGrounds
Voice in the Wilderness