Independents Voting in the Primaries? Tips for Rs: Hawk Dunlap, Cody Harris. Tips for Ds: Talarico, Velez & Klenz. Get your clipboards, indie petitions start March 4.

Hawk Dunlap Republican for Railroad Commission to replace Jim Wright, 5-way primary

LIV is out to end one-party rule in Texas. Democrats haven't held statewide office since 1992. Most large municipalities are dominated by the Democratic Party. And independents and minor party candidates are largely locked out of the system altogether. This anti-competitive arrangement is not good for small "d" democracy.

The Republican and Democratic primaries are underway, as we write with Primary Election Day on Tuesday, March 3rd.

On Wednesday, March 4, independent candidates can start petitioning for ballot access. We'll talk more about the independents starting at our next Monday night meeting. Sign up to join us on our Events page.

Why LIV recommends these Republican and Democratic Candidates in the Texas Primary. Early voting thru February 27 • Election Day, March 3

HAWK DUNLAP for Railroad Commission (Republican) (pictured above)

Wow! Hawk Dunlap is a dream-come-true for Texas voters. He is a genuine working class hero. His years of tough and dangerous work in the oil patch in Texas and across the world, makes him uniquely qualified to advocate for regulatory controls on the oil and gas industry to protect workers and our environment. Hawk speaks with passion and precision about the shameful result of regulatory capture that has left the Permian Basin rife with orphan and zombie wells that threaten land, water resources and safety. In a 5-way race that includes incumbent, Jim Wright, a runoff is highly likely. If Hawk is in it, Katy-bar-the-door for a "blue-collar revolution" led by Hawk Dunlap! Check out the support Hawk has including major newspaper endorsements!

Rep. Cody Harris (R-Palestine) running for reelection, TX House District 8

Rep. CODY HARRIS for State Representative (HD 8) Republican Rep. Harris is leading the Texas House Natural Resources Committee on a very difficult quest: a serious overhaul of the state's water policy, including the bugaboo of "Rule of Capture." After years of work to protect our most precious resource, t's very important to us at LIV that we keep institutional knowledge in place for the 2027 legislative session. Harris also represents an affected district that's been in the news, facing a big attempted "water grab" that even water-rich East Texas can't afford.

JAMES TALARICO for U.S. Senate (Democrat)

TX Rep. James Talarico, Democrat for U.S. Senate, to replace John Cornyn, running in a 3-way primary

James Talarico, as a Texas State Representative, caught our eye years ago when he introduced a bill for redistricting reform. Talarico is liberal meets conservative in this race for U.S. Senate. He is building a big tent. He was also a big hit on the Joe Rogan Show as someone who can appeal to cross-over voters as he speaks to local issues, data centers, the failing school system and for common people. He was a school teacher in a poor district. He is a Presbyterian Seminarian. He will listen to anybody and appeals to our better angels in service of freedom of thought and freedom of religion. Talarico is a great option for Texas Democrats to challenge the Texas GOP's worst instincts as they attempt scare Christians. In fact the 2026 GOP's primary ballot's 10th non-binding proposition simply states, "Texas should prohibit Sharia Law" with no more information provided. KXAN News' report on the "Sharia shuffle" is so helpful HERE. Though we respect Congresswoman Jasmine Crockett, we want to make sure the potential is real for an upset in this Senate seat contest in November. The Democratic nominee will face either current AG Ken Paxton or incumbent Senator John Cornyn running on the Republican ticket. We believe Talarico is the strongest candidate to pull that off because of his independent appeal.

MARCOS VELEZ for Lt. Governor (Democrat)

Marcos Velez, Democrat for Lt. Gov. to replace Dan Patrick, 3-way primary

We like Rep. Vikki Goodwin (D-Austin) who is also in this race. However, we see Velez, a rank-and-file labor leader, as more representative of newly emerging, more progressive, Texas Democratic Party. Can you imagine what it would mean to have someone steeped in labor issues as our Lt. Governor? Dream for a moment. It could happen, especially if Mike Collier runs as an independent in this race. There is no runoff in November so Collier or Velez could take the seat with as little as 34%.

MARY ELIZABETH KLENZ for State Representative (Democrat)

Dr. Mary Elizabeth Klenz, Democrat for TX House District 17, to replace Stan Gerdes, running in a 3-way primary.

Dr. Mary Klenz, a Giddings (Lee County) resident and recently retired OB/GYN, is running hard in three-way race for the Democratic nomination for Texas House District 17 -- Bastrop, Burleson, Caldwell, Lee and Milam counties. She is running on the issues relevant to the district, especially water and affordable rural healthcare. We believe she has the heart and intellect to compete with Republican State Rep. Stan Gerdes or his opponent, Tom Glass, providing serious Democratic competition in November.

Please give us your feedback for this article about independents voting in the primaries in the comments section below, and keep an eye out for additional endorsements.

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