May 22, 2024      4:30 PM

In the homestretch of runoffs, Charles Butt largely abandons the field, Adelson spends heavily, and Yass goes all in against anti-voucher Republicans and Speaker Phelan

Even though voters are tired of the ugly well-financed campaigns, millions are being spent in the final days of this primary cycle

“It doesn’t cost this much to just tell the truth in campaigns,” said a veteran Republican observer poring over the latest reports.

As Tim Dunn’s merry band of misfits galivant across the state led by Rep. Brian Harrison promoting a Contract on Texas – laying the predicate for a possible primary challenge to Congressman Jake Ellzey – and flat out lying about their colleagues, Gov. Greg Abbott has only added to an avalanche of well-financed untruths. Abbott has flooded the airwaves attacking opponents to his voucher plan with advertisements about how Republican lawmakers cannot be trusted on border security or property taxes.

The primary and runoff bring three songs to mind for me: Talking Heads’ “Burning Down the House,” Elton John’s “Burn Down the Mission” and Against Me!’s “Baby, I’m An Anarchist.” Thankfully this chapter comes to an end on Tuesday. Hopefully more of us will be singing Nina Simone’s “New World Coming” before next session.

Ahead of the runoffs, let’s look at the 8-day reports. Here are the top takeaways:

By James Russell

Copyright May 22, 2024, Harvey Kronberg, www.quorumreport.com, All rights are reserved