Elections

Tarrant County's 2026 elections are poised to be "the most important of our lifetime," local and state Republican officials said Sunday night after historically red Texas Senate District 9 flipped blue in a runoff election many saw as unwinnable for a Democrat.

Voters get to decide who will appear on the November ballot for a range of elected offices, from governor to the U.S. House and Senate.

Texas officials say at least 12 people have died over the course of the winter storm that brought freezing temperatures and icy conditions across the state this week. As The Texas Newsroom’s Lucio Vasquez reports, around half of the victims were children. Monday is the deadline to register to vote in the March 3 primary election. Our Michelle Waida reports you can find registration information, including status and applications, at votelubbock.gov. Applications can be delivered to the Lubbock County Elections Office at 1308 Crickets Avenue.

As of last week, candidates can file for the May 2 city and school board elections. Lubbock City Council Districts 1, 3, and 5 are up for election, as is the mayor's seat. The filing deadline is Feb. 13. The avian flu is making its rounds and both Lubbock Public Health and Texas Tech University are warning people to avoid contact with sick or dead birds. Our Olivia O'Rand reports dogs and cats are also susceptible if exposed. You can report sick or dead birds in the area to South Plains Wildlife Rehabilitation Center at 806-799-9142 and those on Tech campus to university operations at 806-742-4OPS.

Historically, Texas voters mostly skip voting in primary elections. That fact changes everything about who ends up being elected – from their ideology to possibly even their party.

Lubbock County Precinct 2’s Jason Corley was back in the courthouse Monday, returning as county commissioner, as the county's "resign-to-run" legal battle continues. Meanwhile, Texas is expected to see unusually warm and dry weather through the end of the year. KTTZ reporter Bishop Van Buren breaks down how this elevated fire risk affects West Texas.

Texas Majority PAC and the Texas Democratic Party recruited 104 candidates to fill uncontested races. Gov. Greg Abbott's strategist said it amounts to a gimmick "if they don't back it up with serious resources."

A First Amendment advocacy nonprofit reached out to Texas Tech University System presidents Friday, urging them not to restrict faculty speech within the classroom. Our Samantha Larned spoke with the author of the letters and reports on concerns from the Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression. Another candidate has joined the race to become District 3’s city council representative. Gil Caley is the interim president for PFLAG Lubbock and the lead editor of The Catalyst media.

Caley’s campaign announcement highlighted possible initiatives like developing a new library branch or recreation center in the district, as well as additional neighborhood planning efforts, policies to benefit locally owned businesses, and addressing loose animals.

Former Lubbock County Precinct 2 Commissioner Jason Corley filed a lawsuit Monday against his replacement, Mark Meurer of Slaton. Corley was removed from the seat after announcing his Congressional campaign. The basis of his lawsuit comes from a disagreement between Corley and Lubbock County Judge Curtis Parrish over when his bid for the national office became official.