Filing for primaries gets underway

Next year’s primary campaigns are starting to take shape after numerous candidates filed for office on Saturday, the first day to sign up for a spot on the March 2024 ballot.

Voters will weigh in on the nominees for the U.S. presidential race, along with Republican U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz’s seat. Important Harris County positions will be on the ballot, too, including two commissioners, district attorney and county attorney.

Among the Republican incumbents who filed over the weekend were Harris County Precinct 3 Commissioner Tom Ramsey, Precinct 4 Constable Mark Herman and Justice of the Peace Lincoln Goodwin.

Three Republicans have signed up to run for state House seats:

John Perez in District 133, along with incumbents Rep. Dennis Paul in District 129 and Rep. Mike Schofield in District 132.

With incumbent Democratic Tax Assessor-Collector Ann Harris Bennett not seeking reelection, Republican Mike Wolfe and Democrat Annette Ramirez have each filed to take on the open seat.

Harris County Sheriff Ed Gonzalez, an incumbent Democrat, filed for reelection on Saturday, posting on X, formerly known as Twitter: “The past 7 years have been challenging, but rewarding in so many ways! It is my sincere hope that I will have the opportunity to continue serving and protecting our communities!”

Two Republicans — Joe Danna and Glenn Cowan — have filed to challenge Gonzalez. Houston Councilmember Mike Knox, a Republican and former police officer, is also expected to file to run for sheriff.

Harris County Precinct 1 Commissioner Rodney Ellis, an incumbent Democrat, filed to run for a third term over the weekend, as well. Ellis said on X that he’s asking voters “for the privilege of continuing the fight for equity and justice for all Harris County residents.”

U.S. Rep. Lizzie Pannill Fletcher and U.S. Rep. Sylvia Garcia, both Democrats, filed for reelection, along with a handful of Democratic incumbent state House members: Rep. Jolanda Jones in District 147, Rep. Jon Rosenthal in District 135, Rep. Ann Johnson in District 134, Rep. Senfronia Thompson in District 141, Rep. Penny Morales Shaw in District 148, Rep. Christina Morales in District 145 and Rep. Hubert Vo in District 149.

Candidates have until Dec. 11 to file to run in the primaries.