What’s on the Ballot

Candidates:

Greg Abbott (i) – Republican

Beto O’Rourke – Democrat

Delilah Barrios – Green Party

Mark Tippetts – Libertarian

Raul Cortina – Independent

Justin Cunneen – Independent

Jal Dennis – Independent

Dierdre Dickson-Gilbert – Independent

Jorge Franco – Independent

Reginald Jennings II – Independent

Chioma Okoro – Independent

Jeremy Rios – Independent

Sean Sharp – Independent

Ricardo Turullols Bonilla – Independent

Demetra Wysinger – Independent

The Texas lieutenant governor has more than eighty (80) statutory duties, including administering oaths, and creating emergency interim succession. The lieutenant governor also statutorily serves as a member or joint chair of or appoints members to more than 70 boards and commissions. For a complete list of duties, click here.

Candidates:

Dan Patrick (i) – Republican

Mike Collier – Democrat

Shanna Steele – Libertarian

Deauc Dentean – Independent

Jason Withers – Independent

What are the functions of the Attorney General?

The Attorney General is the lawyer for the State of Texas and is charged by the Texas Constitution to:

• defend the laws and the Constitution of the State of Texas
• represent the State in litigation
• approve public bond issues

To fulfill these responsibilities, the Office of the Attorney General serves as legal counsel to all boards and agencies of state government, issues legal opinions when requested by the Governor, heads of state agencies and other officials and agencies as provided by Texas statutes, sits as an ex-officio member of state committees and commissions, and defends challenges to state laws and suits against both state agencies and individual employees of the State. Learn More

Candidates:

Ken Paxton (i) – Republican

Rochelle Garza – Democrat

Mark Ash – Libertarian

The Comptroller’s office serves virtually every citizen in the state. As Texas’ chief tax collector, accountant, revenue estimator, treasurer and purchasing manager, the agency is responsible for writing the checks and keeping the books for the multi-billion-dollar business of state government.

As chief financial officer, the Comptroller’s office collects taxes and fees owed the state. Most of the office’s duties and powers are enumerated in the Texas Tax Code and in Chapter 403 of the Texas Government Code. As guardian of the state’s fiscal affairs, agencies depend on the Comptroller’s office to pay their bills and issue paychecks to state employees. Legislators rely on the Comptroller’s office to chart the course of the Texas economy, produce annual financial reports and estimate future state revenues. Local officials and businesses look to the agency for economic development guidance and data analysis. Taxpayers rely upon it for assistance and guidance regarding compliance with tax laws. And all Texas residents depend on the Comptroller’s office to safeguard their tax dollars and ensure they are handled wisely.

As the state’s cashier, the Comptroller’s office receives, disburses, counts, safeguards, records, allocates, manages and reports on the state’s cash. In addition, the Texas Comptroller chairs the state’s Treasury Safekeeping Trust, which invests, manages and oversees more than $50 billion in assets.

The Comptroller’s office is also the state’s purchasing manager, awarding and managing hundreds of statewide contracts on behalf of more than 200 state agencies and 1,600 cooperative purchasing members. The agency is committed to cultivating a healthy economic environment in Texas by providing a variety of services to business owners, taxpayers, local officials, HUBs and everyday Texans.

The Comptroller’s office also administers a variety of programs, including the State Energy Conservation Office, Texas college savings plans, statewide procurement initiatives, and more.

Candidates:

Glenn Hegar (i) – Republican

Janet Dudding – Democrat

V. Alonzo Echevarria-Garza – Libertarian

Michael Berlanga – Independent

Candidates:

Sid Miller (i) – Republican

Susan Hays – Democrat

What are the functions of the Land Commissioner?

The oldest state agency in Texas, the GLO was formed to determine who owned what and where after the Texians and Tejanos won independence. Today the General Land Office manages state lands, operates the Alamo, helps Texans recovering from natural disasters, helps fund Texas public education through the Permanent School Fund, provides benefits to Texas Veterans, and manages the vast Texas coast.

Dawn Buckingham – Republican

Jay Kleberg – Democrat

Alfred Molison – Green Party

What are the functions of the Texas Railroad Commission?

The Railroad Commission of Texas was established in 1891 under a constitutional and legislative mandate to prevent discrimination in railroad charges and establish reasonable tariffs. It is the oldest regulatory agency in the state and one of the oldest of its kind in the nation. The Railroad Commission of Texas no longer has any jurisdiction or authority over railroads in Texas, a duty which was transferred to other agencies, with the last of the rail functions transferred to the Texas Department of Transportation in 2005.

The Railroad Commission of Texas (Commission) is the state agency with primary regulatory jurisdiction over the oil and natural gas industry, pipeline transporters, natural gas and hazardous liquid pipeline industry, natural gas utilities, the LP-gas industry, and coal and uranium surface mining operations. The Commission exists under provisions of the Texas Constitution and exercises its statutory responsibilities under state and federal laws for regulation and enforcement of the state’s energy industries. The Commission also has regulatory and enforcement responsibilities under federal law including the Surface Coal Mining Control and Reclamation Act, Safe Drinking Water Act, Pipeline Safety Acts, Resource Conservation Recovery Act, and Clean Water Act.

Candidates:

Wayne Christian (i)- Republican

Luke Warford – Democrat

Jaime Díez – Libertarian

Hunter Crow – Green Party

The Texas Supreme Court is the state’s court of last resort for civil matters and is comprised of 9 members.

On November 8th, the Texas Supreme Court will have 3 seats up for election. Review the information below to learn more about what’s on the local ballot.

Texas Supreme Court, Place 3

Candidates:

Debra Lehrmann (i) – Republican

Erin Nowell – Democrat

Tom Oxford – Libertarian – LinkedIn

Texas Supreme Court, Place 5

Candidates:

Rebeca Huddle (i) – Republican

Amanda Reichek – Democrat

Texas Supreme Court, Place 9 – Special Election

Candidates:

Evan Young (i) – Republican

Amanda Reichek – Democrat

The Texas Court of Criminal Appeals is the state’s court of last resort for criminal matters and is comprised of 9 judgeships.

On November 8th, the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals will have 3 judgeships up for election. Review the information below to learn more about what’s on the local ballot.

Texas Court of Criminal Appeals, Place 2

Candidates:

Mary Lou Keel (i) – Republican

Texas Court of Criminal Appeals, Place 5

Candidates:

Scott Walker (i) – Republican

Dana Huffman – Democrat

Texas Court of Criminal Appeals, Place 6

Candidates:

Jesse McClure (i) – Republican

Robert Johnson – Democrat

The Texas State Board of Education is responsible for managing the state’s public K-12 education. There are 15 state Board of Education members who are elected by Texans to four year terms of office.

Each member represents a distinct geographical district. Visit this link to find which district you are registered to vote in. Review the information below to learn more about what’s on the local ballot.

District 1

Candidates:

Michael Stevens – Republican

Melissa Ortega – Democrat

District 3

Candidates:

Marisa Perez-Diaz (i) – Democrat

Ken Morrow – Republican

District 5

Candidates:

Rebecca Bell-Metermeau (i) – Democrat

Mark Loewe – Republican