There’s a lot of talk about the 2020 elections, but a critical race for Democrats next month is in Fort Bend County outside of Houston. Early voting begins Oct. 21.
Republican state Rep. John Zerwas, who is retiring, held the Richmond seat for many years. Now, given the political climate, the seat is winnable for the only Democrat running, Eliz Markowitz.
The election, said Rice University’s Mark Jones to Houston Public Media, “is going to be seen as a bellwether for the potential for the Texas Democratic Party to win a net total of nine seats to flip control of the Texas House.”
Markowitz has been racking up major endorsements, including from Emily’s List and Annie’s List. A number of area elected officials are expected to tout her candidacy on Tuesday at a news conference in Richmond.
Markowitz is receiving some welcome firepower from state and national Democrats who see this election as part of the larger strategy to win a majority in the Texas House of Representatives in 2020. Forward Majority bought a television ad in the district on health care, reminding voters how Republicans are allowing insurers take away coverage for pre-existing conditions, like cancer. It’s a jab at the Texas-led lawsuit to kill the Affordable Care Act, which protects pre-existing condition coverage.
“No individual should be denied access because of a pre-existing condition or inability to pay an exorbitant hospital bill,” Markowitz says on her campaign website. “We must support a system that allows Texans to choose their providers, yet replaces high insurance premiums, deductibles, and co-pays with progressive financing.”
Gun safety, immigration, and voting rights are her other priority issues.
Markowitz will need a strong Democratic turnout on Election Day, Nov. 5.
Photo: Markowitz campaign web site
