Early voting begins Tuesday for the March 5 Democratic and Republican primaries ahead of the November general election.
Several potentially competitive races are on the Republican primary ballot across the South Plains, including some contested Texas House of Representatives seats.
In House District 83, which includes portions of Lubbock and much of the South Plains, farmer and businessman Wade Cowan is challenging incumbent Rep. Dustin Burrows. In House District 88, which includes Plainview and Levelland, Hale County Republican Party Chairwoman Karen Post is seeking to oust incumbent Rep. Ken King.
Embattled Attorney General Ken Paxton has endorsed both challengers after Burrows and King each voted to impeach Paxton in May 2023. Gov. Greg Abbott endorsed Burrows but has not backed either candidate in the HD 88 race.
Paxton also declined to endorse HD 84 Rep. Carl Tepper, who is running unopposed in the Republican primary. Tepper voted to impeach Paxton last year.
King, R-Canadian, is chair of the House Public Education Committee and a vocal opponent of school vouchers, one of Abbott’s top legislative priorities. Post notes on her campaign website she supports “empowering parents with options and access to the learning environments that best serve their children.” Burrows has previously opposed so-called school choice but has softened his stance, voting against an amendment to remove education savings accounts from an education bill in November.