Here's how Texas small business owners fared on Election Day.
Well, the 2016 Elections are over and done. I’m sure that you will join us in recognizing this was one of the strangest election cycle in many years. For those of you supporting President-elect Trump, congratulations. For those of you supporting Clinton, Johnson (Libertarian Party), Stein (Green Party), Castle (Constitution Party), McMullin (Independent), LaRiva (Party of Socialism & Liberation), or any of the other candidates, I am truly sorry for your loss. At least you can be confident we get to do it again in just four short years but, alas, the posturing for the 2020 Presidential election begins soon.
Noteworthy in this election is that the US House, the US Senate, and the White House will all be controlled by Republicans for the first time in many years. The House is now at 239 Republicans and 192 Democrats and the Senate has at least 51 Republicans and 48 Democrats.
The Texas House remains solidly Republican, but they lost 3 who were endorsed by NFIB/Texas. Rep. Kenneth Sheets (Dallas District 107) lost the seat that swings more than any other in the state. Rep. Sheets has been a staunch NFIB voter and recently earned the NFIB Guardian of Small Business award. I’m sure we will see him make a run again in two years. Rep. Rick Galindo (San Antonio District 117) was elected to fill an unexpired term in a district that is widely considered predominantly Democratic. Last, Rep. Gilbert Pena (Pasadena District 144) lost his bid for reelection in a district once held by NFIB members and former Reps. Ken and Barbara Legler.
The 5 NFIB/Texas endorsed candidates for the Texas Senate all prevailed. Noteworthy is that we did endorse in an open seat once held by NFIB/Texas Guardian Award winner Sen. Troy Fraser (Marble Falls District 24). We are proud to have fully backed Senator-elect Dawn Buckingham in this race and look forward to working with her to make sure Texas remains open for small business.
Of course, we endorsed three incumbents for the Texas Supreme Court. Justices Lehrmann, Green, and Guzman were successful in defending their seats to the Texas high court.
At the federal level NFIB endorsed 26 congressional candidates. Among those will be NFIB members Congressman Roger Williams (Weatherford), Congressman Randy Weber (Pearland), and Congressman Brian Babin (Woodville). We also endorsed Congressman-elect Jodey Arrington (Lubbock).
The only hotly contested race was the rematch in Congressional District 23 with Congressman Will Hurd facing off against former Congressman Pete Gallego. With the NFIB endorsement Congressman Hurd was able to overcome his challenger and secure a win for small business.
Thanks for all you do in helping NFIB promote and protect the right of our members to own, operate, and grow their businesses and for being a #smallbizvoter.
Will Newton
Executive Director
NFIB/Texas
