Before joining the Hearst Texas newspapers in 2017 he covered government and politics for the Tampa Bay Times, The Miami Herald and the Sarasota Herald-Tribune. Davidiuk said lowering property taxes will be a focus of all Republicans -- not just Abbott and Paxton -- come January. Patricks own party.. Incumbent Republican Lt. Gov. But Im a person thats willing to listen to people that do have good ideas, bring into the table have both sides, talk about them and come to an agreement.. Dan Patrick (R) draws a primary challenger in Fort Worth businessman Aaron Sorrells, who will be running to Patricks right, the tweet read. We will crush them again in 2022 the statement read I look forward to working with you in the months ahead to Keep Texas Red.. Latinos are not going to vote for a Democrat just because he or she is a Democrat. In 2018, he ran a historic race for Lt. Patrick has said hes focused on running for a third term as lieutentant governor. AUSTIN, Texas Texas Lt. Gov. its time to set the example, Sorrells said. Joe Biden has done more to destroy America in the last 18 months than any other president has done before, Patrick said. Heres what you need to know. Patrick didn't respond to KHOU 11 News' request for an interview. Abbott's school voucher pitch. From Texas Standard: Matthew Dowd, political strategist for former President George W. Bush, has announced he'll challenge incumbent Dan Patrick for Texas lieutenant governor in 2022. At an event for a congressional candidate last October, Lt. Gov. The holder of this office presides over the Texas Senate and is the gatekeeper for all legislative bills, budgets or . "Biden, I believe, is going to be a very popular president because his policies make sense, and then we have COVID, and then we have an insurrection, and then we have a power crisis and all sorts of reasons for people to pay attention," Collier said. independent local journalism in Dallas. He has spent $12.4 million, mainly on advertising, since the last reports . Current: Greg Abbott (R). Greg Abbott handling of Covid-19 with mask mandates and business closures and restrictions at the Governor's Mansion on October 10, 2020 in Austin, Texas. Because if we fix a lot of these problems, it helps the livelihoods of everybody in Texas.. In-person early voting runs from Feb. 14-25. Dan Patrick and Democrat Mike Collier, who first challenged the Republican incumbent in 2018. The campaign has $16.8 million left in the bank. "He's a thoughtful man, knows what the heck he's doing and he's ready to take on fixing Texas. Miller said those are the priorities of Texans, so thats why hes focusing on them. Residents have three days to comment on the draft before a final map is approved Friday by state Supreme Court Justice Patrick F. McAllister. @RonDeSantisFL who had reopened Florida six months earlier. Meanwhile, Lee Merritt, the famous civil rights attorney from Collin County, announced last month that he planned to challenge Paxton, though he did not immediately say whether he would run as a Democrat, Republican or something else. And you need a candidate with a history of winning elections as a Democrat with democratic values.. Patricks campaign raised about $2.27 million from 1,200 donors, according to campaign finance reports filed Tuesday. He did better than I did in urban Texas, Collier said. I really care for this man, and I love him as the great Christian that he is.. He ran against Patrick in 2018 and lost by . Peter Yu. The GOP-run Congressional Leadership Fund Super PAC is pouring $4 million into broadcast TV ads to aid Republican candidate Mike Lawler and defeat Democratic Rep. Sean Patrick Maloney. Republican Rep. Kevin Van Winkle of Littleton currently represents the district, but he is running for state Senate in 2022. Dan Patrick . All U.S. House districts, including the 10th Congressional District of New York, held elections in 2022. RELATED: Republican Tarrant County judge plans to back Lt. Gov. Get the latest updates in news, food, music and culture, and receive special offers direct to your inbox. Incumbent: David Price, who is retiring. Texas is a year away from its March primary elections and there is already plenty of chatter that Gov. Republicans . Harris County Still Doesnt Know How Many Voters Were Kept From Why Were 75% Of Texas Voters Under 30 Missing From The NBC News: Video Appears to Show Texas Drag Bill Author Dressed From Idaho To Texas: Vouchers Rocky Road To Nowhere. He then beat the Democrat in the general election. by James Barragn Unfortunately for them, I'm an accountant. He did so by campaigning in areas of the state where Democrats dont typically go. I always knew that when we got close and were very close that there would be candidates trying to sail in to see if they could land it, he said. the 2020 general election is more than a year and a half away, The Corporations that Sponsored a Regression on Womens Rights; A List of Companies Behind the Texas Abortion Ban. Double your gift when you give by 6 p.m. Thursday. Beto O'Rourke continues to keep the door open to challenging Gov. Updated: 11:49 AM CST February 14, 2022. The winner will represent the Flint, Saginaw, Bay City and . Governor against Dan Patrick running the closest race for Lt. I think I win the primary.. I quite frankly want to get the job done, do it well, honor my word, and go back and be a grandmother at home.. Texas will hold the nation's first primary nominating contests of 2022 on March 1, with early voting beginning on Monday. 99% in. Whitley said he won't be running for re-election in 2022. Quite frankly, governor, your cure is worse than the disease, he said. This year, Patrick, who presides over the Senate, pressured officials at the Public Utilities Commission to reverse $16 billion in electricity charges racked up during the winter storms. Democrats are bragging again that they are going to turn Texas blue, and I am not about to let that happen. Dan Patrick, who is running for reelection against Democrat Mike Collier. The last day to apply for a ballot by mail for the primary election is Feb . But first, hell have to get past Matthew Dowd, a former George W. Bush strategist turned Democrat, and any other candidate that joins the race in a Democratic primary. Texas Upcoming Elections: Whos Been Raising Money? In him, Collier said, voters would find the opposite of Patrick: a self-described numbers guy whos focused on the big picture rather than partisan politics. They just want politicians to solve problems." The winner will run against incumbent Lt. Gov. "He's a thoughtful man, knows what the heck he's doing and he's ready to take on fixing Texas. Governor Dan Patrick facing five primary opponents, Assistant district attorney from Williamson County suspended after DWI wreck in Hewitt, Texas superintendent resigns after student finds his gun in school bathroom, Republican Texas lawmakers rally around bill restricting the college sports teams transgender athletes can join, SD Senate committee defeats petition signature requirement bill, Texas House and Senate draft appropriations bill aims to address TDCJ challenges, A Texas lawmaker wants voters to decide whether legislators deserve a raise, Texas teachers need raises, more training and better working conditions to fix shortages, state task force finds. Mike Collier, a 60-year-old accountant and auditor from the Houston area, announced earlier this month he will run again to unseat Republican Lt. Gov. Collier said hell need Democrats to turn out in a major way to win in 2022. Whitley, a Republican who's overseen the state's largest GOP-leaning county since 2007, isn't running for re-election. Colliers knocks on Patrick are many. Flanked by life-sized cardboard cutouts of former Presidents Abraham Lincoln, Ronald Reagan and Donald Trump, he focused his stump speech less on his Democratic opponent, Collier, and more on rejecting President Joe Biden. 10 people run from traffic stop in west Houston, Memorial Villages PD says, Man ticketed for feeding Houston's homeless outside of library. Collier has worked over the past decade to build the Texas Democratic Party, and Democrats will have a clear choice in 2022.. Dan Patrick. Collier is spending most of October on a 30-day tour that will hit all the major regions of the state. Before challenging Patrick in 2018, Collier ran for comptroller in 2014 and lost to the current GOP occupant of that office, Glenn Hegar, by 21 points. He is also holding a fundraiser for Patrick on Friday at a country club near South Padre Island. Beckley was first elected to her house district in 2018, when she defeated the Republican incumbent. "I am running for re-election in 2022. New York's chaotic primary elections for Congress, which will be held on Aug. 23, are the outcome of Democrats in Albany having tried to do an end run around the state . Patrick's campaign did not return a request for comment on Collier's 2022 plans, but his office announced Monday afternoon that he would hold a Capitol news conference Tuesday morning on the voting legislation. NEW YORK Former federal prosecutor Dan Goldman beat a crowded field of Democrats including incumbent Rep. Mondaire Jones (D-N.Y.) vying for a new congressional . He knows that. Collier acknowledged he needs to raise more money than he did in 2018, when he collected $1.3 million over the two-year election cycle, a fraction of Patrick's fundraising. Hulsey on Tuesday told Alabama Daily News that the district lines may change, but she is committed to running in 2022 regardless. Mike Collier is the Democrat running against Dan Patrick for Lieutenant Governor of Texas in the November 2022 General Election, and he has a magic formula that can not only topple Dan Patrick . James Skoufis (@JamesSkoufis) May 16, 2022 State Sen. James Skoufis, D-Cornwall, said on Monday that he too is "seriously considering" running for Congress, potentially setting up an Aug . That doesnt change my strategy.. Hes spent eight years campaigning for Democrats up and down the state, he said, and hes got the miles on two run-down trucks to prove it. Libertarian Jean Luc Picard, Republican Sandy Cheeks, Green Party candidate Wayne Campbell and more . TPI: R-54%. Hes also hoping for some help from ORourke, who Collier said he would like to see run for governor. Why This Election Matters. Rep. Sean Casten, who defeated incumbent Peter Roskam in 2018 and then knocked off Jeanne Ives in 2020, is facing a tough road to a third term in Congress, as he will be forced to face-off against . "Lots of talk this weekend about property taxes. Republican New York State Assemblyman Colin Schmitt launched a challenge against Democratic Rep. Sean Patrick Maloney, chair of the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee, which is the . Patrick is seen as more extreme than Abbotthe made national news early in the pandemic when he suggested that senior citizens should be willing to sacrifice themselves to save the economy, and . Collier was the 2018 Democratic nominee against Patrick and lost by 5 percentage points. Collier, however, also identified as a Republican before running for office and twice voted against President Barack Obama. I describe Greg Abbott and Dan Patrick and Ken Paxton as craven, cruel, and crook. The 3.8 million is not a support of Mike Collier as much as it is a protest or distance from Dan Patrick, Thomason said. Mary Duty, chairwoman of the McLennan County Democratic Party, said Collier is "not wild and crazy - he's not a socialist. Dan Patrick is going negative with new attack ads on TV, this time targeting his Democratic opponent Mike Collier, a sign the race is . Tarrant County Judge Glenn Whitley and outgoing GOP Senator Kel Seliger both . Previously he covered Congress for the Boston Globe and Detroit Free-Press. 1 of 2. Therell be a whole lot of folks that will come that dont consider themselves Democrats, but theyll hear the message and theyll come across and theyll vote for me, just as they did in 2018.. State Sen. James Skoufis, D-Cornwall, said on Monday that he too is seriously considering running for Congress, potentially setting up an Aug. 23 primary election between himself and Ryan for the Democratic party line. But Collier will also have to win big in urban areas of the state where the population is more diverse and the cost of campaigning is much higher. Since becoming the party chairman last summer, West has shown no hesitation in criticizing Abbotts actions. The lieutenant governor is touting Lucios endorsement while campaigning in the Rio Grande Valley this week, part of a 131-city bus tour that has prioritized stops in small communities across the state. Kurt Huffman, a Republican from Highlands Ranch, is running for District 43. Its our 10th year participating in Amplify, and to celebrate, weve got $15,000 in matching funds from four generous Tribune supporters. In contrast, Matthew Dowd was Chief Advisor for George W. Bush who started two wars, tanked the global economy, and appointed the deciding Supreme Court vote to overturn Roe v. Wade. Lieutenant Governor of Texas Dan Patrick. And I decided that looking at the numbers, that I can beat him.. TEXAS TAKE: Get political headlines from across the state sent directly to your inbox. Mike Collier was Senior Advisor to President Joe Biden who has delivered millions of vaccines, ended a two-decade war, and restored Americas standing on the global stage, deputy campaign manager Ali S. Zaidi, said in a statement. What you need to know about voting early in the 2022 Texas primary election. Democrat Mike Collier is ready to take on Lt. Gov. You know the only president who is really happy about Joe Biden? Texas Railroad Commissioner Wayne Christian, left, talks with Commissioner of Texas Agriculture Sid Miller during the opening session of the Texas House of Representatives on Tuesday, Jan. 8, 2019, in Austin, TX. The primary for U.S. Senate, state executive, and state assembly offices was scheduled for June 28, 2022, and the filing deadline was April 7, 2022. pic.twitter.com/V3etDoFYRk. Dan Patrick says he's running for reelection and will crush Democratic challengers to keep the Lone Star State red in 2022. Trayce Bradford wants to focus on securing the border, education and property taxes. He's got an exploratory committee to challenge Patrick again next year, though he said it is more of a "confirmatory" committee. Dan Patrick, who released a statement months ago announcing his intention to seek re-election in 2022 stating he would crush his opponents, has now drawn up challengers that would like to see him try, I am running for re-election in 2022. Three years ago, he got more votes than Beto O'Rourke, then the U.S. Senate nominee, in 171 of the state's 254 counties. Turning to the Republican candidates, Todd Bullis said hes running because he doesnt think Republican legislative priorities are being accomplished. Meanwhile, Colliers campaign has spent $1 million and had $922,000 cash on hand after raising $1.4 million from 10,000 donors, according to campaign finance reports. The reality is its going to be very difficult to be beat Dan Patrick, Beckley said. Collier said hes confident that his own track record with Democratic voters will resonate in a primary. However, Collier said his team has "already been in communication with the donors [for 2022] and we feel very bullish about that. Dan Patrick. Judge Whitley tweeted multiple times Monday following his weekend announcement. April 5, 20218 PM Central. The new NY-18 map presents an opportunity for the Hudson Valley to have an amplified voice and a proven fighter in Congress, James Skoufis (@JamesSkoufis) May 16, 2022. Miller was elected in 2014 to Agriculture Commissioner, a post former Gov. And ones a crook. Dan Patrick in Rio Grande Valley, Republican Lt. Gov. We will crush them again in 2022. Collier is kicking off his likely campaign by spending the week touring West Texas, starting Tuesday in Amarillo. The candidates are set for Texas' 2022 primary elections after the filing deadline closed Monday night. Beto O'Rourke continues to keep the door open to challenging Gov. The Houston-area Republican has two things most other GOP challengers wouldnt have against Abbott: statewide name recognition and an ability to raise money. Dan Patrick's Democratic challenger in November, Y'all-itics: If you were ever going to fight your property taxes, this is the year to do it. He supports the Republican legislative priorities announced ahead of the 87th session, but in particular, wants make abortion illegal and focus on the border, among others. Financial supporters play no role in the Tribune's journalism. The race for lieutenant governor will be a rematch between Lt. Gov. Updated by the minute, our Dallas Cowboys NFL Tracker: News and views and moves inside The Star and around the league . Incumbent Dan Patrick won election in the general election for Lieutenant Governor of Texas. Patrick is running a campaign focused on national and local issues by railing against immigration, President Joe Biden's border policy and inflation. The county isnt going to release them, obviously, so we continue to foot the bill. Collier, a Houston-area accountant, said he plans to pitch himself much like he did in 2018, playing the mild-mannered policy wonk to Patrick's conservative firebrand. Make a one-time donation today for as little as $1. The new map not only splits Ulster County between two newly created congressional districts but also splits the city of Kingston between those two districts. You can follow him on Twitter, @JeremySWallace, or email him atJeremy.wallace@chron.com. While Lucio has represented swaths of the Rio Grande Valley for decades, Jim Henson, director of the Texas Politics Project at the University of Texas at Austin, said his endorsement is not particularly decisive for the South Texas region. In May, Yu told the Denver Post's Justin Wingerter that he learned a lot from his 2018 campaign and is ready to bounce back against Bennet in 2022. 99% in. ", "He doesn't fit the mold that Republicans like to give Democrats," Duty said. In close second, hed focus on fixing the damn grid, which has become a campaign motto. June 10, 2022 Sean Patrick Maloney is a Democratic Party stalwart who declares himself a "practical, mainstream guy." Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez is a political outsider-turned-left-wing star . Collier went on to serve as a senior adviser to Biden's Texas campaign in the general election. Texas Lt. Gov. The Texas Lieutenant Governor is the second most powerful office in the Texas Legislature. And in September the party passed a resolution demanding Abbott Open Texas NOW. Last week, West tweeted that he was glad Gov. Patrick has repeatedly said that he will run for a third term next year - and that it would be his last term as lieutenant governor if he wins. Miller inserted himself in the conversation when he was the only statewide elected official to attend a protest outside of the Governors Mansion in October calling on Abbott to reopen the Texas economy. Texas Land Commissioner George P. Bush and TXOGA President Todd Staples attended the morning MOLU session at the campus, as well as Jefferson County Judge Jeff Branick, PAISD Superintendent Mark Porterie, educators and representatives from area petrochemical companies. Originally from San Antonio, he attended the University of North Texas and earned his bachelor's degree from the University of Missouri. "Dan Patrick has made promise after promise and broken promise after promise, cycle after cycle," Miller said. It is not local governments fault, its failed state fiscal policy, Collier said. What Texans want is a lieutenant governor who will solve problems, Collier said. But he said he believes he has additional factors working in his favor this time, and not just the recent crises that have put a harsh spotlight on Texas Republican leaders. news Politics. There are three democratic candidates hoping for the nomination. Lt. Gov. After the Senate approved the bill last week, Collier denounced it as a "significant, unnecessary attack on the right to vote of every Texan.". Dan Patrick: Statement on Sen. Charles Schwertner's Arrest. All rights reserved, Fairfield State Park Closes, Community Worries About Future, Texas Senate Committee Advances Bill That Makes Illegal Voting a Felony, LIVE RADAR: Tornadoes, Large Hail, Damaging Winds Possible With Powerful Storms Thursday, Anna SRO Assaulted While Breaking Up High School Fight, District Says, North Texas Emergency Crews Tracking Potential Severe Weather Thursday, The Pandemic Altered Many Things, Including Alcohol AbuseThese Are the Warning Signs. With two months to go until the November election, many are locking in their endorsements before the voters head to the polls, which is why the Republican judge is supporting the Democrat. The general election was on November 8, 2022. In his most recent ad, Collier says he knows "a lot of good Texas Republicans, and Dan Patrick ain't one of them." The latest: The Tarrant County Republican Party denounced County Judge Glen Whitley's recent endorsement of Collier. If Collier makes his campaign official as expected, it would give Democrats an early and serious contender as they look to build their 2022 statewide ticket. Primary elections for congressional races and the state Senate will now be held on Aug. 23. Collier was the 2018 Democratic nominee against Patrick and lost by 5 percentage points. Brailey said people have a right to exercise the Second Amendment, but it must be done responsibly. The Texas Tribune is a nonprofit, nonpartisan media organization that informs Texans - and engages with them - about public policy, politics, government and statewide issues. All rights reserved. Collier faced Michael Cooper, president of the Beaumont NAACP, in the 2018 primary for lieutenant governor and won by 5 points. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); You have entered an incorrect email address! "One of the reasons that we don't win statewide is that the state is so large, and it takes a tremendous amount of experience and relationships" to win. Dan Patrick again in 2022. The group marched to the Governors Mansion requesting to talk with Abbott. "I am running for re-election in 2022. Collier is kicking off his likely campaign by spending the week touring West Texas, starting Tuesday in Amarillo. He said he has advocated for Texas his entire adult life, including founding the Texas Nationalist Movement. Democrats: Ashley Ward, Stephen Valentine, Richard Watkins, Crystal Cavalier, Nida Allam, Valerie Foushee and Matt Grooms and Clay Aiken. While candidates spent Monday positioning themselves for the November election, the question about what happens in the current 19th congressional district remains. Until now, most hinted challengers have been Democrats, but the Texas Election Source recently tweeted a possible Republican runner-up. Amplify your impact and donate now. The idea, he said, is to buttress the firewall of rural Republican voters against growing concentrations of Democratic voters in urban centers and the suburbs. Thats the only thing I normally do. Colliers campaign manager, Ali Zaidi, confirmed that he spoke with Lucio as part of the campaigns effort to reach out to many state lawmakers. Abbott's closing bars after the recent spike of COVID-19, on Tuesday, June, 30, 2020. In October, the Texas Tribune reported supporters of Bush were encouraging him to run for Attorney General in 2022. Abbotts order to reopen Texas fuels primary foes who say hes too slow, Get political headlines from across the state sent directly to your inbox, Rep. Joaquin Castro diagnosed with cancer, undergoes surgery, Texas House Speaker appoints committee for gun legislation, Santa Fe families still denied video, records from 2018 shooting, Hill Country Republican seeks to ban voting on college campuses, Three misleading statements in Gov. Bullis said he wont compromise on moral issues. Philip is a graduate of the University of Texas-Austin. Gov. Statement on Special Masters Congressional Map: pic.twitter.com/SBfDGOAdWV, Marc Molinaro (@marcmolinaro) May 16, 2022. Lt. Gov. Though the 2020 general election is more than a year and a half away, the Texas primary is scheduled for 11 months from now forcing candidates wanting to run for statewide office to start early to build a fundraising network and name identification. 2. Sign up for The Brief, our daily newsletter that keeps readers up to speed on the most essential Texas news. Houston weather: What are SPC storm risk categories, threat levels? Copyright 2023 NBCUniversal Media, LLC. Dan Patrick, the Texas lieutenant governor who once suggested elderly Americans were willing to die of COVID-19 in order to save the economy, now has the virus himself. And I am ready - I'm ready to go. Its rattlesnake season in Texas. Although none have made an official announcement, one of the main challengers who has been hinting at a possible run is Matthew Dowd, former chief strategist to President George W. Bush and renowned ABC News political analyst. Its Jimmy Carter, because Jimmy Carter is off the worst presidents list., Several in the crowd of about 60 nodded and clapped. Before challenging Patrick in 2018, Collier ran for comptroller in 2014 and lost to the current GOP occupant of that office, Glenn Hegar, by 21 points. He has spent $12.4 million, mainly on advertising, since the last reports were filed midyear. I think its an asset that Ive run because its a big state, its a complicated state," Collier said. The difference, his team said, is that Collier has since worked to elect Democrats in the state, including President Joe Biden. Aaron Sorrells said he decided to run after the mandates and closures of 2020. Dan Patrick touts record on power grid despite attacks from Democrat Mike Collier, eyeing three Congressional seats in the Valley, Republicans pin hope on Latino vote in Rio Grande Valley, Texas new battleground, Texas grid fixer? Rep. And Dan Patrick continues to lie and blame locals. Dan Patrick The Houston-area Republican has two things most other GOP challengers wouldn't have against Abbott: statewide name recognition and an ability to raise money. She said her slogan is Texas United. Whitley said its because of Colliers stance on local control and smaller government. Austin, TX, January 6, 2022 With 26 open Texas House seats, over one-sixth of the 150 members in the chamber are guaranteed to be freshmen members in the legislature.. Added to that, 30 current Republicans and 11 current Democrats including two who are running against each other have challengers from their own party who they will face in the March 1, 2022 primary elections. Houston-area Rep. Dan Crenshaw has some unexpected competition in the 2022 race for his seat. Collier said he was not aware of any other serious Democratic candidates for lieutenant governor so far. RELATED: Y'all-itics: If you were ever going to fight your property taxes, this is the year to do it. Jeremy Wallace has covered politics and campaigns for more than 20 years. And I am ready I'm ready to go. Not just for Republicans, but for everybody. Todd Bullis, Daniel Miller, Trayce Bradford, Zach Vance and Aaron Sorrells all hope they can beat out the current lieutenant governor for the nomination. "So you roll all that together, and I think it's a very winnable race.". Can severe weather cancel the Houston Rodeo? Patrick's campaign did not return a request for comment on Collier's 2022 plans, but his office announced Monday afternoon that he would hold a Capitol news conference Tuesday morning on the voting legislation. Governor Dan Patrick officially announced that he is running for re-election in 2022: "I am running for re-election in 2022. Republicans Bill Jack and Gregory Smith, both of Castle Rock, have filed to run in House District 45. The primary was scheduled for March 1, 2022, and a primary runoff was scheduled for May 24, 2022. [Candidates] need to go and engage Latino voters, go and meet with them, talk to them, listen to them and have answers.. Patrick didn't respond to KHOU 11 News' request for an interview. Greg Abbott, speaks to close to 150 Texas bar owners, bartenders, and members of Texas Bars Fight Back, gathered in front of the Texas State Capital in response to Gov. Meanwhile, in the newly created 19th congressional district Dutchess County Executtve Marc Molinaro is running against political newcomer Josh Riley, who announced his candidacy for the seat on Monday. Im not attached to a special interest. Amplify your impact and donate now. But this time, Collier has a formidable primary challenge in Dowd, the former Bush strategist. Carla Brailey is . I did better than he did in rural Texas. If Delgado resigns his congressional seat prior to July 1, Hochul will be required to call for a special election, creating a situation in which candidates would run in August for a seat that wouldnt exist after Dec. 31. News. People are being taxed out of their homes by big spending local governments. Dowd pledged not to attack Collier or any other Democrat who jumps in the race. And they need to go. Collier is working with ALG Research, Biden's pollster, as well as Crystal Perkins, the former Texas Democratic Party executive director who was Biden's finance director for a region that included Texas. However, over the weekend, there was a surprise endorsement when Tarrant County Judge Glen Whitley, a Republican, said hes backing Collier. Collier acknowledged he needs to raise more money than he did in 2018, when he collected $1.3 million over the two-year election cycle, a fraction of Patrick's fundraising.