Pro-Public Schools Candidates Elected to the Texas Legislature

Texas Parent PAC Supports Winning Candidates

Children, parents, and neighborhood public schools were big winners in recent elections, as many legislators were elected who are committed to strengthening public education. This was partly due to the efforts of Texas Parent PAC, a statewide political committee formed in 2005 with the goal of electing more state legislators who will stand up for children and high quality public schools.

Texas Parent PAC provided funding to help candidates in many ways, including direct mail, TV and radio advertising, phone banks, yard signs, campaign staff and consultants, as well as volunteers who worked in many aspects of the campaigns.

Following is a list of first-time candidates endorsed by Texas Parent PAC who were winners in primary, general, and special elections in 2006, 2007, and 2008. A list of endorsed incumbent candidate winners follows.

FIRST-TIME CANDIDATES

2008 March Primary Election Winner

H.D. 73: Doug Miller, R-New Braunfels (defeated Rep. Nathan Macias), winning with 50.02% of the vote. http://www.millerforstaterep.com/

2007 December Special Election Runoff Winner

H.D. 97: Dan Barrett, D-Fort Worth (open seat), winning with 52.19% of the vote. www.danbarrett.com

2006 November General Election Winners

H.D. 32: Juan Garcia, D-Corpus Christi (defeated Rep. Gene Seaman), winning with 48% of the vote. www.electjuangarcia.com

H.D. 47: Valinda Bolton, D-Austin (open seat), winning with 50.24% of the vote. www.valindabolton.com

H.D. 54: Jimmie Don Aycock, R-Killeen (open seat), winning the primary election runoff with 57.82% of the vote and the general election with 60.46%. www.electjdaycock.org

H.D. 71: Susan King, R-Abilene (open seat), winning the primary election runoff with 50.51% of the vote and the general election with 57.67%. www.house.state.tx.us/members/dist71/king.htm

H.D. 72: Drew Darby, R-San Angelo (defeated Rep. Scott Campbell in the primary), winning the primary election runoff with 60.22% of the vote and the general election with 81.46%. www.drewdarby.com

H.D. 85: Joe Heflin, D-Crosbyton (open seat), winning with 48.97% of the vote. www.joeheflin.com

H.D. 94: Diane Patrick, R-Arlington (defeated House Committee on Public Education Chair Kent Grusendorf in the primary), winning the primary with 58.09% of the vote and the general election with 63.54%. www.dianepatrick.org

H.D. 101: Thomas Latham, R-Sunnyvale (defeated Rep. Elvira Reyna in the primary), winning the primary with 50.88% of the vote and the general election with 76.22%. www.lathamfortexas.com

H.D. 107: Allen Vaught, D-Dallas (defeated House Committee on Public Education member Rep. Bill Keffer), winning with 50.10% of the vote. www.allenvaught.com

H.D. 118: Joe Farias, D-San Antonio (open seat), winning with 48.25% of the vote. www.joefarias.com

H.D. 134: Ellen Cohen, D-Houston (defeated Rep. Martha Wong), winning with 54.7% of the vote. www.ellencohen.org

2006 February Special Election Runoff Winner

H.D. 48: Donna Howard, D-Austin (open seat), winning with 57.61% of the vote. www.votedonna.com

INCUMBENTS

Endorsed/Funded Re-Election Winners: 2006-2008

H.D. 7: Representative Tommy Merritt, R-Longview, 2006
H.D. 11: Representative Chuck Hopson, D-Jacksonville, 2006
H.D. 12: Representative Jim McReynolds, D-Lufkin, 2006
H.D. 17: Representative Robby Cook, D-Eagle Lake, 2006
H.D. 27: Representative Dora Olivo, D-Missouri City, 2008
H.D. 78: Representative Pat Haggerty, R-El Paso, 2006
H.D. 83: Representative Delwin Jones, R-Lubbock, 2006 and 2008
H.D. 99: Representative Charlie Geren, R-Fort Worth, 2006 and 2008
H.D. 125: Representative Joaquin Castro, D-San Antonio, 2006
H.D. 149: Representative Hubert Vo, D-Houston, 2006