20 More Days Until Texas’ 2020 Primary Election — Early Voting Begins Next Tuesday, February 18

Super Tuesday – this year on March 3 – is looming large on voters’ calendars.  On that day, Texas, along with Alabama, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Maine, Massachusetts, Minnesota, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Tennessee, Utah, Vermont and Virginia, will hold its presidential primary.

While the presidential election is garnering a good portion of the attention, Texas voters will have a full ballot of statewide and local races to consider while in the voting booth.  Efforts to turn out record numbers of voters are underway, and candidate forums, like the one pictured above featuring State Representative James Talarico (D-Round Rock) and hosted by the Raise Your Hand Texas Foundation in Round Rock Monday night, are an excellent way to engage voters in the process.  If you’re interested in locating an event near you, click here — the Raise Your Hand Texas Foundation is hosting a series of over 40 candidate forums and town halls leading up to election day.

Early voting begins next Tuesday, February 18, and runs through Friday, February 28 – click here to check on early voting locations in your area.

Newest Faces in the Texas Legislature

The newest members of the Texas House of Representatives were sworn in to office Tuesday.  State Representatives Lorraine Birabil (D-Dallas), Anna Eastman (D-Houston) and Gary Gates (R-Richmond) were elected January 28 in special elections to serve out the terms of their predecessors.  All will defend their seats in the March primary and the November general election in order to win a full term, which begins in January 2021.

The University of Texas System Seeks Approval for Medical School in Tyler

The University of Texas System hopes to establish the first medical school in East Texas to improve health care access in the region.  Officials from the UT System and its two Tyler institutions recently announced a plan to establish the school in Tyler and the board of regents will vote at its next meeting scheduled for February 26.   If approved, it would be the seventh in the UT System; in 2016, both UT Austin and UT Rio Grande Valley opened medical schools.

Only in Austin…

If you’re looking for a unique way to celebrate Valentine’s Day this Friday, may we suggest The Galentine’s Show by The Cathedral and atxGALS.  The Queen of Hearts-themed night kicks off at 6pm in The Cathedral’s gorgeous space (an incredibly refurbished 1930s church located in East Austin), and will feature tunes from DJ Diggy Dutch, a specially curated art exhibit showcasing 10 amazing local women artists, a photo booth and delicious cocktails provided by Tito’s Handmade Vodka, Dulce Vida Tequila and Austin Eastciders.  The night promises to be a fun and festive way to support local arts and the community, as a portion of the proceeds will benefit Girls Empowerment Network.  Lovely festive dress is encouraged; purchase tickets here.