On Tuesday the Austin American-Statesman featured a front page story reporting that three Texas Senate seats are "in play." That's old news to Texas Parent PAC leaders, because for several months we have focused on three top-tier Texas Senate seats. Three of the PAC's endorsed candidates are reported to have the best potential for unseating incumbent senators who have proven their disdain for public education.

Our endorsed candidates featured by the Statesman are:
Nathan Johnson, Dallas, challenging Sen. Don Huffines in SD 16
Beverly Powell, Burleson, challenging Sen. Konni Burton in SD 10
Rita Lucido, Houston, challenging Sen. Joan Huffman in SD 17

Nathan Johnson, Beverly Powell, Rita Lucido

Nathan Johnson is an attorney who helps large and small businesses to resolve disputes. He is an active community volunteer, tutoring with Reading Partners at neighborhood public schools, chairing the Dallas County Trails and Preserve Board, providing pro-bono legal counsel for the Human Rights Initiative of North Texas, coaching soccer teams for the YMCA, and serving on boards spanning education, the arts, and public policy. Learn more here.
Beverly Powell is a successful businesswoman with years of experience in real estate and residential development. Education is one of her passions. She served for 10 years on the Burleson ISD school board, during which she served as president. In addition, she was a member of the Texas Wesleyan University board of trustees and a leader of the Burleson Opportunity Fund, providing scholarships for local students to attend Hill College. Learn more here.
Rita Lucido is a family attorney and outspoken advocate for her community. She is a board member of the Texas Civil Rights Project and Houston Area Women's Center, and has raised money and served in leadership roles for groups such as AVANCE and DiverseWorks. As Hurricane Harvey battered Houston’s citizens, Rita was asked to work with the Mayor's office to coordinate legal services for those in the shelters.Learn more here.

Four More Texas Senate Contenders

Texas Parent PAC also is endorsing four Texas Senate candidates who are running in districts that are more challenging. All four could win with record-breaking assistance from public school parents and grandparents, active and retired educators, students, and school supporters. Their opponents, too, have not supported public education and deserve to be replaced.
Texas Parent PAC's endorsed candidates are: 
Kendall Scudder, Dallas, challenging Sen. Bob Hall in SD 2
Mark Phariss, Plano, opposing Angela Paxton in SD 8 
Meg Walsh, Round Rock, challenging Sen. Charles Schwertner in SD 5 
Steven Kling, Dripping Springs, challenging Sen. Donna Campbell in SD 25 

Top: Kendall Scudder, Mark Phariss
Bottom: Meg Walsh, Steven Kling

Kendall Scudder is manager of community services for a nonprofit affordable housing company. He organizes on-site education programming and gives voice to the underrepresented in the community. He served in leadership of Piney Woods United Way, Walker County Chamber of Commerce, and with groups that mentor youth and tackle the issue of housing/homelessness. Learn more here.
Mark Phariss is a business attorney who began in private practice and later worked as general counsel for companies in a variety of industries. As a civil rights advocate, he was on the board of governors for the Human Rights Campaign and Equality Texas. He has also served with The Family Place, a refuge for victims of domestic violence, the Alamo Bowl, and Texas Lyceum. Learn more here.
Meg Walsh is a businesswoman with long-time experience as a manager and negotiator of contracts for major corporations. She worked in procurement, finance, IT, and event project management for companies such as Dell, IBM, Southwest Airlines, and Xerox. Meg volunteered with Soldiers' Angels and in public schools, and mentored teen mothers and at-risk youth. Learn more here.
Steven Kling is a small businessman at an IT consulting firm. A son of two teachers, he grew up in a culture of service. After 9/11, Steven put his career in software on hold and joined the Army Reserve. He served two combat tours in Afghanistan and Iraq and received the Bronze Star, Combat Action Badge, and Joint Services Commendation Medal. Learn more here.
In 2017, the Texas Senate was the chamber where bad bills harming public education originated and where good bills passed by the Texas House came to die. This cannot continue in 2019! We must come together to elect some new senators and a new Lieutenant Governor who will stand up for children and neighborhood public schools. Texas Parent PAC strongly endorses Mike Collier for Lieutenant Governor!
The Texas Parent PAC Board of Directors strategically directs its money to support some campaigns more than others and purposefully determines how, when, and why to make direct and in-kind contributions (like mailers or live phone calls). 

Please make a contribution today to elect strong public school supporters to the Texas Senate and Texas House of Representatives. Together, we can change Texas for the better! 

Online contributions may be made here or checks may be mailed to Texas Parent PAC, P.O. Box 303010, Austin, TX 78703-0051. Thank you!  

P.S. Texas Parent PAC endorsed 42 Republicans, 39 Democrats, and 1 Independent in the 2018 election cycle--primary, general, and special elections.

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