With the historic November elections in the rearview mirror, we are so thankful to all the volunteers who stepped up and got involved in electing pro-environment candidates up and down the Texas ballot. Sierra Club-endorsed candidates fared very well and we are in better position going into the 86th Texas Legislature because of the hard work of our volunteers and the great candidates, both challengers and incumbents, who campaigned hard.
There were scores of Sierra Club members and supporters across Texas who volunteered their time knocking on doors, making phone calls or texts, writing postcards, and so much more. These victories are for you!
State House Sierra Club-Endorsed Pickups (10)
Vikki Goodwin (HD 47)
James Talarico (HD 52)
Michelle Beckley (HD 65)
Ana-Maria Ramos (HD 102)
Terry Meza (HD 105)
Rhetta Bowers (HD 113)
John Turner (HD 114)
Julie Johnson (HD 115)
Jon Rosenthal (HD 135)
John Bucy III (HD 136)
State House Sierra Club-Endorsed Defended Seats (21)
Abel Herrero (HD 34)
Bobby Guerra (HD 41)
Sheryl Cole (HD 46)*
Gina Hinojosa (HD 49)
Joe Moody (HD 78)
Nicole Collier (HD 95)
Chris Turner (HD 101)
Rafael Anchia (HD 103)
Victoria Neave (HD 107)
Trey Martinez-Fischer (HD 116)*
Philip Cortez (HD 117)
Leo Pacheco (HD 118)*
Barbara Gervin-Hawkins (HD 120)
Ina Minjarez (HD 124)
Justin Rodriguez (HD 125)
Alma Allen (HD 131)
Gene Wu (HD 137)
Jarvis Johnson (HD 139)
Mary Ann Perez (HD 144)
Carol Alvarado (HD 145)
Shawn Thierry (HD 146)
Garnet Coleman (HD 147)
Jessica Farrar (HD 148)
Hubert Vo (HD 149)
*Cole and Pacheco are newly elected. Martinez-Fischer had previously served in the House. All others are incumbents.
All of the Sierra Club-endorsed incumbents won. We also endorsed several incumbents we consider environmental champions but did not have an opponent, such as State Reps Donna Howard, Eric Johnson, Ina Minjarez, and others.
On the State Senate side, two notable Sierra Club-endorsed pickups were Beverly Powell and Nathan Johnson. These two candidates were major victories in their own right, and the fact that they defeated major anti-environmental incumbents, Konni Burton and Don Huffines, made these pickups so much more valuable. Many Sierra Club members recognized the importance of these races and volunteered to help elect them. Sen. Watson and Sen. Whitmire also successfully defended their seats.
There were some victories at the local level as well. Adrian Garcia was elected Harris County Commissioner. In Dallas County, Dallas County Judge Clay Jenkins was re-elected. Enrique Valdivia was also re-elected to the Edwards Aquifer Authority. (To see a list of all our 2018 endorsed candidates, visit TurnTexasGreen.org/2018.)
This was an unprecedented year for Sierra Club members getting involved in electing pro-environment candidates. As we celebrate these wins, we must recognize that we cannot rest on our laurels. We must continue to pressure the Texas Legislature and local governments to do what is right and hold them accountable.
We need everyone who cares about the environment and its people to play a part in ensuring these newly elected officials (and returning officials) represent our interests. Please stay tuned!