MRT: State Hits New Record for Cases, Hospitalizations; Hegar Wins; Jackson, Nehls Win; Gonzales Up 7 Votes; Flynn, Slaton, Birabil, Eastman Lose
Here's What You Need to Know in Texas Today.
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BY: @MattMackowiak
WEDNESDAY – 07/15/20
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TOP NEWS
"Texas reports record number of virus cases, hospitalizations," via AP-- "A record number of people with the coronavirus were in Texas hospitals on Tuesday as the state also set a record for the number of new cases reported.
The number of people in Texas hospitals has continued to climb after topping 10,000 for the first time on Friday, and the state recorded 10,569 people hospitalized Tuesday as it tries to contain the spread in what has become one of America’s biggest hot zones.
Republican Gov. Greg Abbott has warned that the worst is yet to come in Texas. Hospitalizations and infection rates have soared in the aftermath of Abbott embarking on what had been one of the most aggressive reopenings in America.
Texas surpassed 10,000 new coronavirus cases in a single day for the first time last week and set a record Tuesday with 10,745 new cases. The new cases reported Tuesday now brings the state’s total to 275,058. The true number of cases, though, is likely far higher because many people have not been tested, and studies suggest people can be infected and not feel sick.
State health officials said there were also 87 more deaths reported in Texas, putting the total so far at 3,322.
For most people, the coronavirus causes mild or moderate symptoms, such as fever and cough that clear up in two to three weeks. For some, especially older adults and people with existing health problems, it can cause more severe illness, including pneumonia and death.
The record number of coronavirus cases and hospitalizations came as Texas voters also went to the polls Tuesday for the U.S. Senate primary runoff between two Democrats, congressional primary and other party runoffs. The runoff was originally slated for May, but Abbott pushed back the date in March as the virus began to take hold in the U.S., saying it would help keep people safe." AP
2020
"MJ Hegar claims victory over Royce West in Democratic runoff for U.S. Senate,"The Texas Tribune's Patrick Svitek -- "MJ Hegar declared victory late Tuesday night in the Democratic primary for U.S. Senate as unofficial results showed her leading Royce West by 4 percentage points.
"I am humbled by the support we have received from all across the state, and am confident we have a decisive victory," Hegar said in a statement. "Together, we are mounting a Texas-sized winning campaign that will take down Sen. [John] Cornyn and deliver real results on health care, racial justice, economic opportunity, climate change, immigration and gun violence."
West, meanwhile, did not concede, saying he would make a statement early Wednesday and that his campaign was still waiting on more results.
With 90% of locations reporting, Hegar was ahead of West, 52% to 48%.
Earlier in the evening, West and his campaign predicted the runoff would be tight and said that they expected it to come down to about 10,000 votes. Hegar had a 37,488-vote lead at the time she declared victory.
The winner will face Republican incumbent U.S. Sen. John Cornyn, whose campaign quickly noted the late ad spending from national Democratic groups that benefited Hegar." Texas Tribune
"Troy Nehls’ runoff victory shapes one of six competitive Texas congressional races," The Houston Chronicle's Jeremy Wallace -- "Fort Bend Sheriff Troy Nehls cruised to victory in his race against Houston Republican party financier Kathaleen Wall to win the Republican nomination in the 22nd Congressional District setting the stage for what is considered one of the most competitive Congressional races in the nation in November.
By winning the Republican primary runoff for the 22nd Congressional District, Nehls overcame a major financial disadvantage. Wall put more than $8 million of her own money into the race to help fund television ads that attacked Nehls, who raised less than $500,000 for his campaign through June.
“Thank you for entrusting me. I am not going to let you down,” Nehls told supporters at a victory party in Fort Bend County as results were still coming in. “We’re going to keep this county red.”
Texas is one of the most watched states heading into November, with at least five seats in Congress currently held by Republicans considered to be in jeopardy to Democrats in November.
The 22nd District was one of a few races that was sorted out early with many other high profile primary battles around the state still too close to call as of 11 p.m." Houston Chronicle
"Sarah Eckhardt finishes first in special election to replace former state Sen. Kirk Watson,"The Austin American-Statesman's Chuck Lindell -- "In a six-candidate special election to replace former state Sen. Kirk Watson, D-Austin, Democrat Sarah Eckhardt finished first with a strong performance in Travis County but did not amass enough votes to avoid a runoff.
Eckhardt, the former Travis County judge, received 49.7% of vote, triggering a runoff with the second-place finisher, state Rep. Eddie Rodriguez, the other Democrat in the race, who had 33.8% of the vote.
Republican Don Zimmerman was a distant third at 13%.
The special election for Watson’s seat was postponed from May 2 by Gov. Greg Abbott in response to the coronavirus outbreak and rescheduled to coincide Tuesday with the primary runoffs, which also were delayed by the pandemic.
In a district where Watson defeated Republican opponents by 47 points in 2018 and 36 points in 2010, much of the special election attention focused on Eckhardt and Rodriguez, two progressive Democrats without a lot of differences in their political positions.
Rodriguez, an 18-year member of the Texas House, was able to turn his Capitol ties into a hefty financial advantage, having raised almost $746,000 since February, compared with almost $245,000 for Eckhardt, the former leader of Travis County who was required to resign as county judge to enter the legislative race.
But Eckhardt took 51% of the almost 110,600 votes cast in Travis County, 16 points better than Rodriguez, but was denied outright victory by taking only 31% of the 8,764 ballots in Bastrop County." Austin American-Statesman
"Berry, Isaac win GOP races for Texas House,"The Austin American-Statesman's Chuck Lindell -- "In the GOP primary runoff for the Texas House, Austin police officer Justin Berry defeated attorney and activist Jennifer Fleck in a district serving western and far south Travis County.
Berry, who won by about 10 points, hopes to reclaim House District 47 from state Rep. Vikki Goodwin, D-Austin, who defeated a four-term GOP incumbent in 2018.
And in the GOP runoff for House District 45 in Hays and Blanco counties, Carrie Isaac — a Wimberley resident who got to know the district while campaigning for her husband, former state Rep. Jason Isaac — defeated Kent “Bud” Wymore, general counsel of the Hays County Republican Party.
Isaac, who received 65% of the early vote, will face state Rep. Erin Zwiener, D-Driftwood, who defeated Republican Ken Strange in 2018 to become the first Democrat to win in the district in eight years." Austin American-Statesman
"Rep. Roland Gutierrez prevails over Xochil Peña Rodriguez in SD19 race,"The San Antonio Express-News' Eric Dexheimer -- "Former state Rep. Roland Gutierrez held off attorney Xochil Peña Rodriguez in the Democratic runoff election for Senate District 19, collecting just under 53 percent of 31,500 votes cast. The sprawling 17-county district runs south and west from San Antonio along the Mexican border to encompass Del Rio, Fort Stockton and Alpine.
Gutierrez will face one-term Republican incumbent Pete Flores. Flores, a retired game warden was a surprise winner over former U.S. Rep. Pete Gallego in a 2018 special election to replace Sen. Carlos Uresti, who resigned during a scandal that ultimately resulted in fraud and money laundering convictions. Flores became the first Republican to hold the seat in 139 years.
Rodriguez, the daughter of former Congressman Ciro Rodriguez, was seeking her first elected office.
Gutierrez was a six-term state representative from eastern Bexar County when he resigned to seek the senate seat." San Antonio Express-News
"Gonzales holds slim lead over Reyes in Republican race for Congressman Will Hurd’s seat,"The San Antonio Express-News' Joshua Fletcher -- "Navy veteran Tony Gonzales, backed by President Donald Trump, gained a slim lead over Raul Reyes, a retired Air Force officer supported by U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz, in a dramatic twist to Tuesday’s fractious Republican race to replace U.S. Rep. Will Hurd.
Reyes had been ahead most of the night but just after 12:30 a.m., Gonzales pulled ahead of his opponent by seven votes, according to returns from the Texas Secretary of State.
With all the vote in 28 of the 29 counties that make up the vast district counted, Gonzales had 12,346 votes to Reyes’ 12,339 as of 1 a.m. But after midnight Central Standard Time, El Paso County was still counting votes.
And there’s the potential for more mail-in ballots. State law allow ballots coming from overseas to be counted if they are received no later than five days after the election is held. Members of the Armed Forces get six days to get their mail-in ballots sent in.
When Gonzales was behind as few as 11 votes earlier in the evening, his campaign hadn’t ruled out a recount.
“Tony wants to ensure that every legal ballot is counted to protect the integrity of this election,” Gonzales spokesman Matt Mackowiak said. “The margin is razor thin and there are still ballots to be counted.”" San Antonio Express-News
"Trump's former doctor wins House GOP nomination in Texas," via AP-- "President Donald Trump's former White House physician and onetime pick to head the Department of Veterans Affairs won the Republican nomination for a U.S. House seat in Texas on Tuesday in an election that unfolded amid an alarming spread of the coronavirus.
Ronny Jackson, a retired Navy rear admiral, defeated agriculture advocate Josh Winegarner in a primary runoff in the deeply red Texas Panhandle. Jackson will face Gus Trujillo, who won Tuesday’s Democratic nomination for the 13th congressional district in Texas, in the November general election.
Trump had endorsed Jackson’s campaign and he emerged from a crowded GOP field to replace retiring Rep. Mac Thornberry.
Jackson’s nomination to run the VA was derailed by allegations of drinking on the job and over-prescribing drugs. He withdrew from consideration for the VA post but denied accusations of wrongdoing. He returned to the White House medical office, retired from the Navy in 2019 and launched his bid for Congress.
Trump had said Jackson impressed him when the doctor gave a glowing report on the president’s physical health and cognitive well-being in 2018, following questions about Trump’s mental fitness for office. Jackson acknowledged the president could eat healthier to lose some weight, but joked that that he “has incredibly good genes, and that’s just the way God made him.”
Jackson was also the White House physician to presidents George W. Bush and Barack Obama. He is from Levelland, population of about 13,000, in the Texas Panhandle. He earned a marine biology degree from Texas A&M before graduating from the University of Texas Medical Branch in 1995." AP
"Biden's Texas ad signals opportunity in GOP stronghold,"AP's Steve Peoples -- "Joe Biden targeted Texas with a modest advertising investment that raised new questions about President Donald Trump’s vulnerability in the longtime Republican stronghold as coronavirus infections explode.
Biden, the former vice president and the Democrats’ presumptive presidential nominee in 2020, ignores Trump completely in the new ad. He offers instead an uplifting message that allows voters to envision him as consoler in chief, a role that Republicans have repeatedly encouraged Trump to embrace to no avail.
“This virus is tough, but Texas is tougher,” Biden says in the ad. “I want every single American to know, if you’re sick, if you’re struggling, if you’re worried about how you’re going to get through the day, I will not abandon you. We’re all in this together.”
Trump’s campaign on Tuesday laughed off the small new investment, and even some Democrats were skeptical of Biden’s chances in Texas. Yet Biden’s modest step into a state that hasn’t backed a Democrat for president in 44 years reflected the extent to which the pandemic threatens to scramble the electoral map this fall.
As Democratic-led states like New York and New Jersey slow the spread, new infections and related deaths are surging across Republican-led states like Florida, Texas and Arizona that backed Trump four years ago and resisted aggressive health precautions through the spring.
Even before the outbreak, Democrats considered Florida and Arizona top targets. Texas, which Democrats have long hoped would swing their way because of demographic trends, emerged as a possible pickup only after the pandemic intensified.
Last week was the deadliest of the health crisis for Texas, and the hospital system is stretched to its limits in some regions. Republican Gov. Greg Abbott has warned that the infection numbers will likely get even worse.
“We are one of the hottest of the hot spots in the country,” said Democratic Rep. Colin Allred, who represents a portion of Dallas and its surrounding suburbs. “I think people in Texas can recognize what’s happening and connect the dots on who’s responsible for us having a lack of a response. And they’re looking at Joe Biden as someone who has a very strong appeal.”
Still, Allred isn’t ready to predict a Biden victory in Texas this November.
“I think that it’s possible. We still have a ways to go here,” he said in an interview. “We will all be judged — from members of Congress to the president — on what we did and what we didn’t do during this crisis.”
The Biden campaign said the Texas ad was part of a “mid-six-figure” investment also spread across Arizona, Florida and North Carolina. It’s scheduled to run in each state’s top markets on local cable and on Sunday cable shows. Spanish-language-captioned versions will run in Arizona, Florida and Texas, in addition to YouTube, Facebook and Univision.
Later in the week, the campaign plans to release a series of digital videos of Biden calling families of coronavirus victims in all four states.
Trump campaign spokesperson Tim Murtaugh described the investment as “a total phony” media buy designed to generate media coverage given its size.
“We hope that Joe Biden thinks Texas is in play, and we encourage him to spend money there,” he said. That’s money Biden cannot spend, Murtaugh continued, in four states that voted Democrat four years ago where Trump is running ads to try to flip: Minnesota, New Hampshire, New Mexico, and Nevada.
“We have far more resources than Joe Biden does. He would have to outraise us by more than a million dollars a day every day until the election and he still couldn’t catch us,” Murtaugh said, referencing the Trump campaign’s massive cash advantage. “We encourage him to spend money in states like Texas. That is money down the drain.”" AP
HOW'D I DO?
Here are the predictions I made in yesterday's edition of the morning email:
> U.S. Senate (D): Hegar beats West 53-47. CORRECT (she won 52-48)
> Railroad Commissioner (D): Castaneda wins 55-45. CORRECT (Castaneda won 62-38)
> CD-10 (D): Gandhi wins 54-46. WRONG (Siegel won 54-46)
> CD-13 (R): Jackson wins 55-45. CORRECT (Jackson won 56-44)
> CD-17 (R): Sessions wins 54-46. CORRECT (Exactly right)
> CD-22 (R): Nehls wins 56-44. CORRECT (Nehls won 70-30)
> CD-23 (R): Gonzales wins 53-47. CORRECT? (Gonzales leads by 7 votes with 100% in)
> CD-24 (D): Olson wins 52-48. WRONG (Valenzuela won 60-40)
> SD-19 (D): Gutierrez wins 54-46. CORRECT (Gutierrez won 53-47)
> SD-27 (D): Lucio, wins 53-47. CORRECT (Lucio won 54-46)
> SD-14 special: Eckhardt finishes 1st with 41%, Rodriguez earns 2nd. CORRECT (Eckhardt at 49%, Rodriguez at 34%)
> HD-2: Flynn wins 55-45. WRONG (Slaton won 61-39)
> HD-26: Jetton wins 58-42. CORRECT (Jetton won 52-48)
> HD-45: Isaac wins 55-45. CORRECT (Isaac won 65-35)
> HD-59: Sheffield wins 51-49. WRONG (Slawson won 62-38)
> HD-60: Rogers wins 52-48. CORRECT (Exactly right)
> HD-142: Dutton wins 59-41. CORRECT (Dutton won 52-48)
Overall record: 12-4 (if you include correct call on TX-23).
REMAINDERS
HOUSTON ASTROS: "'It's over now' - Astros eager to put scandal behind them"AP
TEXAS RANGERS: "Rangers in new home with Gallo back and bolstered rotation" AP
TEXAS RANGERS: "With empty new stadium, Rangers furlough about 60 employees" AP
'MACK ON POLITICS' PODCAST
LATEST "MACK ON POLITICS" PODCAST: The war in Afghanistan is the subject of our 195th episode.
In this conversation, we talk to Rod Lurie, director of the #1 film in America, “The Outpost”, which profiles the Battle of Kamdesh in 2009.
We explore how he came to direct the film, what techniques he tried to use, why the story was important to him, how, where and when the film was shot, how it was released, and what the response has been.
Available on iTunes, Google Play, Spotify, Stitcher and on the web at http://www.MackOnPoliticsPodcast.com.
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