Daily Dispatch 2/19/24: Heated Democratic Primaries As Early Voting Looms, and More

Stories we're following this morning at Progress Texas: New interviews with U.S. Representative Colin Allred and State Senator Roland Gutierrez, plus the guy both want to take on, Ted Cruz: https://www.kxan.com/state-of-texas/state-of-texas-questions-for-candidates-hoping-to-challenge-cruz/ South Houston Democratic State House Rep. Shawn Thierry, under fire for her votes inconsistent with Democratic priorities, drops a homophobic bomb on her chances for an endorsement from the Houston Chronicle: https://www.chron.com/news/houston-texas/article/houston-thierry-simmons-endorsement-18672516.php Another hot Democratic primary in the race for Harris County District Attorney: https://www.texastribune.org/2024/02/16/harris-county-district-attorney-primary-2024/ Ken Paxton fails to delay or derail his felony securities trial - it will begin in Houston on April 15: https://www.texastribune.org/2024/02/16/attorney-general-ken-paxton-securities-fraud-indictment-trial/ ...While Paxton targets three Texas Court of Criminal Appeals judges who dared oppose his plan to single-handedly challenge Texas election results: https://www.keranews.org/criminal-justice/2024-02-15/attorney-general-ken-paxton-texas-court-of-criminal-appeals Governor Abbott is laying plans for a permanent 80-acre Texas National Guard base near Eagle Pass: https://www.cnn.com/videos/politics/2024/02/18/texas-gov-abbott-eagle-pass-base-ctmwknd-vpx.cnn ...While a Democratic win in suburban NYC may indicate that the border may not be the slam-dunk issue that Republicans are banking on: https://www.statesman.com/story/news/politics/state/2024/02/18/us-mexico-border-will-be-democrats-death-knell-in-2024-right-perhaps-not/72632584007/ A series of earthquakes southeast of San Antonio appears to be strengthening: https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2024/feb/17/texas-earthquake-san-antonio A Carrolton high school chemistry teacher sees a positive public rally of support after his school district removed him from the classroom over videos of him wearing women's clothing: https://nypost.com/2024/02/17/us-news/texas-teacher-on-leave-after-cross-dressing-video-goes-viral/ A new state law, designed to ensure professional credentials on the bench, is being weaponized against two Black female judge candidates: https://www.houstonchronicle.com/news/houston-texas/article/seo-new-texas-law-brings-new-hurdles-black-women-18667868.php Texas' DEI bans at state university campuses is being seen as a preview of what's to come nationally, should Republicans do well in November: https://apnews.com/article/texas-university-diversity-ban-dei-46e4b6193abe27b6abbdffcd1945cf38 We celebrate Black History Month throughout February! Progress Texas has a full schedule of events to follow: ⁠⁠https://progresstexas.org/blog/celebrating-african-american-arts-and-artisans-black-history-month⁠⁠ Thanks for listening! Progress Texas is seeking to add 29 new recurring donors during our February membership drive - we'd appreciate the support: ⁠⁠https://progresstexas.org/donate