Katrina Pierson, a former Trump campaign official, recently won a tight primary race for Texas’ 33rd House District, defeating incumbent state Rep. Justin Holland. Pierson, who had the support of Republican Texas Gov. Gregg Abbott, is now the presumptive winner of the November general election as no Democrat is running in the race. Holland, who has held the seat since 2016, opposed key legislation backed by Abbott, leading to his defeat in the primary.
Holland’s opposition to legislation supported by Abbott, such as a proposal to allow public funding for private or religious schools, contributed to his loss in the primary. He also faced criticism for his support of raising the age to purchase “assault” style rifles and voting to impeach Republican Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton. Pierson, on the other hand, secured Paxton’s endorsement ahead of the primary and received Abbott’s backing for the runoff election.
With Pierson’s victory in the primary, Republicans now hold 86 of the 150 seats in the Texas state House, giving them a majority of 11 seats. Pierson’s win highlights the divide within the Republican Party in Texas, with Abbott seeking to replace incumbents who do not align with his policy objectives. This shift in leadership could have broader implications for the state’s legislative agenda and political landscape moving forward.
The lack of a Democratic candidate in the race for Texas’ 33rd House District underscores the deep-red nature of the district and the challenges faced by Democrats in winning seats in conservative areas. Pierson’s victory signals continued support for Trump-aligned candidates within the Republican Party, as she leveraged her connection to the former president to secure endorsements and propel her to victory in the primary and runoff elections.
As Pierson prepares to serve as the representative for Texas’ 33rd House District, her win could have implications for policy decisions in the state legislature. Her alignment with Abbott and Trump may signal a shift towards more conservative policies and a focus on issues important to the Republican base. It remains to be seen how Pierson’s tenure in the Texas House will impact the state’s political landscape and the direction of legislative priorities in the coming years.
