AUSTIN, TX - Texas Parent PAC, the state’s only political action committee representing the voices of parents, grandparents and other individuals who believe in the power of public education, is pleased to announce endorsements for the 2020 general election.    (19)

“Members of the Board of Directors and PAC donors and supporters spent dozens of hours over the last three months interviewing candidates and studying the viability of campaigns. We are confident that when these candidates are elected, the 5.4 million children who are educated in our local public schools will be well-served,” said Co-Chair Dinah Miller of Dallas.

Many of the PAC’s endorsed first-time candidates are running against incumbents who have demonstrated through past voting records that they cannot be trusted to support their local public schools, elected district leaders, or the professional educators who have devoted their lives to educating children. Now, more than ever, Texas Parent PAC believes legislators need to invest in stellar public education for all Texas children so that not one child is prevented from achieving economic opportunity and prosperity. Unlike the incumbent opponents they face, these endorsed challengers are beholden to no one: on education matters, they will vote only with schoolchildren in mind.

“We also know there are current legislators who have heard the cries of their local communities. They are asked by constituents to support their public schools, halt inequitable experimental programs, and ensure that education advocates are welcome in the Capitol,” said PAC Co-Chair Julie Cowan. “We feel confident these incumbent legislators are on the side of our children, not special interests.”

Endorsees, both incumbents and first-time candidates, include:

HD 14 Rep. John Raney, R-Bryan

HD 17 Rep. John Cyrier, R-Lockhart

HD 26 Sarah DeMerchant, D-Sugar Land

HD 28 Dr. Eliz Markowitz, D-Katy

HD 33 Rep. Justin Holland, R-Rockwall

HD 34 Rep. Abel Herrero, D-Robstown

HD 41 Rep. Bobby Guerra, D-McAllen

HD 45 Rep. Erin Zwiener, D-Driftwood

HD 47 Rep. Vikki Goodwin, D-Austin

HD 48 Rep. Donna Howard, D-Austin

HD 50 Rep. Celia Israel, D-Austin

HD 52 Rep. James Talarico, D-Round Rock

HD 57 Rep. Trent Ashby, R-Lufkin

HD 58 Rep. DeWayne Burns, R-Cleburne

HD 64 Rep. Lynn Stucky, R-Denton

HD 66 Sharon Hirsch, D-Plano

HD 67 Lorenzo Sanchez, D-Plano

HD 71 Rep. Stan Lambert, R-Abilene

HD 78 Rep. Joe Moody, D-El Paso

HD 92 Jeff Whitfield, D-Euless

HD 93 Dr. Lydia Bean, D-Arlington

HD 94 Alisa Simmons, D-Arlington

HD 97 Elizabeth Beck, D-Fort Worth

HD 108 Joanna Cattanach, D-Dallas

HD 112 Brandy Chambers, D-Dallas

HD 105 Rep. Terry Meza, D-Irving

HD 113 Rep. Rhetta Bowers, D-Rowlett -2-

HD 114 Rep. John Turner, D-Dallas

HD 115 Rep. Julie Johnson, D-Carrollton

HD 117 Rep. Philip Cortez, D-San Antonio

HD 118 Rep. Leo Pacheco, D-San Antonio

HD 121 Rep. Steve Allison, R-San Antonio

HD 126 Rep. Sam Harless, R-Spring

HD 132 Rep. Gina Calanni, D-Katy

HD 134 Ann Johnson, D-Houston

HD 136 Rep. John Bucy, D-Austin

HD 138 Akilah Bacy, D-Houston

HD 144 Rep. Mary Ann Perez, D-Houston

HD 149 Rep. Hubert Vo, D-Houston

SD 19 Rep. Roland Gutierrez, D-San Antonio

SD 21 Sen. Judith Zaffirini, D-Laredo

SD 29 Rep. Cesar Blanco, D-El Paso

Candidates who received the PAC’s endorsement in contested primary elections earlier this year, but who do not have general election opponents, include Drew Darby, R-San Angelo, Dan Huberty, RKingwood, Chris Paddie, R-Marshall, and Glenn Rogers, R-Graford. We look forward to their work on behalf of public school children throughout the 87th Legislative Session. Texas Parent PAC is celebrating its 15th anniversary this year. To stay relevant and responsive to current issues, the board recently revised its Guiding Principles. In addition to opposing vouchers and seeking stable, adequate funding for public education, Texas Parent PAC’s Guiding Principles now include statements regarding charter schools and advocacy. To see the PAC’s updated Guiding Principles, visit www.txparentpac.com/principles.html.