TEXAS – Fifteen Planned Parenthood Texas Votes endorsed candidates won their bid to become their party's nominee last night, making it clear that abortion and reproductive freedom are winning issues this election season. Of the fifteen wins, ten incumbents fended off challengers. Winners include:
Rep. Christian Manuel (HD 22)
Rep. Ron Reynolds (HD 27)
Solomon Ortiz, Jr. (HD 34)
Rep. Erin Zwiener (HD 45)
Rep. James Talarico (HD 50)
Rep. Suleman Lalani (HD 76)
Rep. Venton Jones (HD 100)
Aicha Davis (HD 109)
Averie Bishop (HD 112)
Kristian Carranza (HD 118)
Rep. Liz Campos (HD 119)
Rep. Ray Lopez (HD 125)
Rep. Alma Allen (HD 131)
District Atty. José Garza (Travis County)
County Atty. Christian Menefee (Harris County)
"Support for abortion access made the difference in this primary election. Over and over again, polling shows that the majority of people in our state, just like in the rest of the country, support abortion and want to be able to make basic decisions about their own bodies,” said Drucilla Tigner, Co-Executive Director at Planned Parenthood Texas Votes. “Abortion is motivating people to vote like never before. We know this slate of winning candidates will fiercely fight to work to restore abortion access in Texas. We are ready to get to work and ensure we see even more wins in November.”
José Garza easily won reelection as Travis County District Attorney on a progressive public safety platform that includes the ability for all people to be safe and access what they need to thrive in our communities – including abortion. Garza's relentless dedication to justice reform and his unwavering advocacy for abortion rights helped to propel him to victory on Tuesday.
“José Garza's focus on prioritizing the dignity of individuals navigating the justice system aligns seamlessly with our commitment to safeguarding the rights and well-being of all Texans,” emphasized Shellie Hayes-McMahon, Co-Executive Director at Planned Parenthood Texas Votes. “His steadfast leadership in the face of political challenges from the state government exemplifies his dedication to protecting the rights of Travis County residents. We commend José Garza for his outstanding achievements and look forward to continued collaboration in advancing policies prioritizing the well-being and rights of all Travis County residents.”
One of the most hotly contested races of the night unfolded in Lauren Ashley Simmons' pursuit of HD 146 against incumbent Rep. Shawn Thierry, which is now headed to a runoff. Simmons beat Thierry by 5% in the primary and was less than half a percent away from avoiding a run-off with an outright victory, showing that voters are ready for new representation. Thierry’s vote to ban essential gender affirming care for trans youth and her anti-LGBTQ rhetoric drew sharp criticism of the incumbent by Planned Parenthood Texas Votes and others and made her out of step with Democratic voters in the district.
"Lauren Ashley Simmons brings a fresh perspective to District 146 and an unwavering commitment to championing equality and inclusivity as an openly LGBTQ+ candidate," said Wendy Davis, Senior Advisor at Planned Parenthood Texas Votes. "We firmly believe in her ability to advocate for justice, especially as reproductive and LGBTQ+ rights face unprecedented threats in Texas. Simmons is the champion we urgently need in the Texas House. We urge the Houston community to stay engaged and continue their support for Simmons as we navigate this critical phase of the election.”
As the race heads into a runoff, Planned Parenthood Texas Votes reiterates its unwavering support for Lauren Ashley Simmons. The runoff election will be held on Tuesday, May 28, with early voting beginning on Monday, May 20.
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Planned Parenthood Texas Votes (PPTV) is the nonpartisan policy, advocacy and political arm for Planned Parenthood affiliates in Texas.
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