2022 Texas primary: Statewide voter guide

KERA | By KERA News

Published February 10, 2022 at 12:35 PM CST

Texas Democratic gubernatorial candidate Beto O'Rourke hosts a rally at Fair Park in Dallas after announcing his campaign, on Nov. 21, 2021.

These are the statewide races up for election in the March 2022 primary. Candidates are listed alphabetically.

Governor

Republican Greg Abbott is seeking his third term. The last Democrat to hold the office was Ann Richards, who was defeated by former President George W. Bush in the 1994 election. Texas governors often appear on the national stage. During his time in office, Abbott’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic and support of extending the border wall between Texas and Mexico are among the issues that attracted national attention – as well as support and criticism in the Lone Star State. Former El Paso Congressman Beto O’Rourke is the most well-known of five candidates running for governor fin the Democratic primary. Abbott faces seven challengers in the Republican primary, including former State Sen. Don Huffines and former Texas GOP Chairman Allen West.

Lieutenant Governor

Dan Patrick also is seeking a third term. The onetime conservative radio commentator has generated criticism and praise for his views on issues such as LGBT rights and the COVID-19 pandemic. Patrick faces five challengers in the Republican primary. And three candidates who want to oppose him in November are running in the Democratic primary.

Attorney General

Ken Paxton faces three high-profile challengers in the Republican primary: former Congressman Louie Gohmert, former Texas Supreme Court Justice Eva Guzman and Texas Land Commissioner George P. Bush, a nephew of former President George W. Bush. Paxton is seeking a third term. His tenure has been defined by controversy and personal legal problems. Paxton tried to help former President Donald Trump overturn the 2020 election and launched voter fraud investigations that uncovered few cases. Paxton was indicted on state securities fraud charges during his first term; civil enforcement claims by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission later were filed against Paxton but ultimately were dismissed. Former members of his staff filed a whistleblower suit in 2020 accusing Paxton of serious misconduct.

Land Commissioner

George P. Bush’s decision to run for attorney general left a wide open field for candidates. Eight Republicans and four Democrats are running for the office in their party’s primary. The land commissioner manages state-owned land, oil and gas interests – nd also supervises programs for Texas veterans.

Agriculture Commissioner

Incumbent Sid Miller is seeking a third term. He faces two challengers in the Republican primary and two Democrats are running for the office in the Democratic primary. The agriculture commissioner promotes Texas agriculture, administers the National School Lunch and the School Breakfast Programs, regulates pesticides and regulates weights and measures.

Democrat
Susan Hays | Ed Ireson
Republican
Carey A. Counsil | Sid Miller (incumbent) | James White

Comptroller

Glenn Hegar, who’s seeking a third term as the state’s chief financial officer, faces a single challenger in the Republican primary. Three candidates are running for comptroller in the Democratic primary.

Democrat
Janet T. Dudding | Tim Mahoney | Angel Luis Vega
Republican
Mark V. Goloby | Glenn Hegar (incumbent)

Railroad Commissioner

One of the three spots on the Texas Railroad Commission is up for grabs this year. Incumbent Wayne Christian faces four challengers in the Republican primary, and a single candidate is listed in the Democratic primary. Despite the name, the railroad commission doesn’t regulate railroads – its primary role is to regulate Texas’ oil and gas industry.

Democrat
Luke Warford
Republican
Wayne Christian (incumbent) | Tom Slocum Jr. | Sarah Stogner | Marvin "Sarge" Summers | Dawayne Tipton

Supreme Court of Texas

Three Republican incumbents are up for election this year. In Place 3, Debra Lehrmann is unopposed in the Republican primary. In November, she is expected to face Texas Fifth District Court of Appeals Judge Erin Newell – the only Democrat running for Place 3 in the primaries. Place 5 incumbent Rebeca Aizpuru Huddle also is unopposed in the Republican primary and one candidate is running for that seat in the Democratic primary: Amanda Reichek, who also serves on the Fifth District Court of Appeals. And in Place 9, incumbent Evan Young faces Fifth District Court Justice David J. Schenck in the Republican primary. The sole candidate running for the Place 9 seat in the Democratic primary is Harris County Family Court Judge Julia Maldonado. The Texas Supreme Court is the highest state appeals court for civil cases.

PLACE 3
Democrat
Erin A. Nowell
Republican
Debra Lehrmann (incumbent)

PLACE 5
Democrat
Amanda Reichek
Republican
Rebeca Aizpuru Huddle (incumbent)

PLACE 9
Democrat
Julia Maldonado
Republican
David J. Schenck | Evan Young (incumbent)

Texas Court Of Criminal Appeals

Three Republican incumbents are seeking reelection. Mary Lou Keel is running unopposed for the Place 2 seat. Place 5 incumbent Scott Walker faces Clint Morgan, a veteran Harris County prosecutor, in the Republican primary. Dana Huffman, a North Texas municipal judge and prosecutor, is the only Place 5 candidate in the Democratic primary. Place 6 incumbent Jesse F. McClure III also is unopposed in the Republican primary; Robert Johnson, a district judge in Harris County, is the only candidate running in the Democratic primary. The Texas Court of Criminal Appeals is the highest state appeals court for criminal cases.

PLACE 2
Republican
Mary Lou Keel (incumbent)

PLACE 5
Democrat
Dana Huffman
Republican
Clint Morgan | Scott Walker (incumbent)

PLACE 6
Democrat
Robert Johnson
Republican
Jesse F. McClure III (incumbent)