Statewide Mid-Term Election Update

The 2014 mid-term elections have ended, sort of (we will see some special elections to fill unexpired terms), and we can now look toward January when the 84th Texas Legislature will begin with a lot of new faces. Let's start at the top.

Republicans swept every statewide race from governor to judicial. That's not a shock. What is a shock, however, is the ease by which these races were won. Attorney General Greg Abbott is now Governor-elect Abbott after defeating Senator Wendy Davis. Texas has 254 counties and Senator Davis won only 19 of them. General Abbott exceeded 80% of the vote in 125 of those counties. The race was called less than an hour after the polls closed. The GOP didn't stop there.

Leading the senate next session will be Senator Dan Patrick. Like General Abbott, Patrick cruised to victory in similar style. The Texas Senate will look much different next session, as 7 new senators will join the body. These new senators – all Republicans – have a sizable majority of 20 Rs to 11 Ds.

In the Texas House, Republicans picked up 3 seats to where they now have 98 of 150 legislative districts. In all, there will be 25 new House members. This is a HUGE number and offers of a great opportunity to educate new legislators without ties to the medical associations.

During the past 18 months, our membership has been more active than ever before, out campaigning for candidates and meeting and getting to know their legislative leaders. Pre-filing of legislation for the 84th Legislature is November 10, 2014. The 84th Texas Legislature begins January 13, 2015. We need every TNP member getting out and visiting with their state legislator before they head to Austin for session. With so many new legislators arriving in Austin, we have a real opportunity to make inroads. Let's not waste the opportunity to make some real progress. Get your colleagues involved and take them with you to meet with your state legislator. Give me a call or email and I will schedule your meetings.

David H. Williams
Public Affairs Director
Texas Nurse Practitioners
C: 512-632-5340
E: david@texasnp.org