• Two candidates who flirted with campaigns for higher office last year raised large sums. Some thought state Sen. Kirk Watson, D-Austin, might run for governor or some other statewide office. He's staying in the Legislature, but still collected more than $400,000. State Rep. Dan Branch, R-Dallas, who considered a run for attorney general, raised more than any rank-and-file member of the lower chamber: $733,000.
• Then, of course, there are the competitive races. State Rep. Tara Rios Ybarra, D-South Padre Island, is facing a strong primary challenge by J.M. Lozano. She raised $423,000, more than any other House Democrat, a sizable chunk of which came from Texans for Lawsuit Reform. State Rep. Chuck Hopson, who switch parties to become a Republican, now faces a competitive primary. He raised $344,000. And Eva Guzman, the newly appointed justice to the Texas Supreme Court, pulled in $507,000 in her primary against Rose Vela.
These are just a few examples. Check out the app for yourself — and let us know what you think.
