:focal(0x0:4315x2083)/static.texastribune.org/media/files/72ac7ba799c6688942840017965dfa87/0128%20Laren%20Simmons%20AM%2004.jpg?w=1200&resize=1200,630&ssl=1 "Lauren Simmons defeats Democratic Rep. Shawn-Thierry")
Sign up for the We the Texans newsletter to receive biweekly updates on our year-long initiative dedicated to strengthening civic engagement and telling the story of how democracy is lived in Texas.
State Representative. Shawn Thierry was defeated Tuesday by his primary challenger Lauren Ashley Simmons, denying the Houston Democrat a fifth term after siding with Republicans last year on a handful of bills opposed by the LGBTQ+ community.
Simmons declared victory with a double-digit lead over Thierry. The contest was decided in Tuesday’s runoff after Simmons narrowly missed victory over Thierry in the March primary.
“We did it, y’all,” Simmons said in a speech on her election night, where she declared victory and told supporters she “wanted to be a clear example of what you can do when you have the power of the people.” behind you.”
Thierry, a 54-year-old Houston attorney, has been in her own party’s crosshairs since last spring, when she voted for a measure banning gender transition care for minors and then delivered an emotional speech from the House explaining why she broke up. with his party. Thierry’s vote and his viral remarks sparked a spirited and well-funded challenge from Simmons, a 36-year-old union organizer.
A number of prominent Houston Democrats lined up behind Simmons, including some of Thierry’s current and former colleagues in the Texas House — an unusually public display of repudiation from the outgoing president’s own party. Thierry countered with his own list of endorsements from black church leaders and six of his Democratic colleagues.
Crockett said she decided to weigh in on the race after the Houston Chronicle editorial board quoted Thierry appearing to dismiss Simmons supporters in the Texas House as “the gays.”
Thierry also broke ranks with his party to support a GOP bill to remove sexually explicit books from school libraries, a designation that critics feared would be used to target LGBTQ+ literature. She also voted for a bill requiring transgender college athletes to play on teams corresponding to their sex assigned at birth.
Further fanning the flames, Thierry was quoted by the Houston Chronicle editorial board earlier this year appearing to dismiss Simmons supporters in the Texas House as “the gays.” Thierry said the quote was “completely taken out of context from the larger discussion,” but in any case, Simmons’ campaign told the Chronicle that it received a significant fundraising boost after the publication of Thierry’s remarks.
The Simmons-Thierry contest has emerged as a test of whether Democratic Democrats who don’t fully support LGBTQ+ causes can remain in good standing with their own party’s voters. Thierry insisted that his votes reflected the will of his voters.
Critics of Thierry’s remarks on the gender transition bill pointed out that she ignored the fact that decisions on the treatment of minors could only be made by parents or legal guardians. A consensus of major medical groups also supported that gender transition care should be available to children and adolescents under the supervision of doctors, while also recommending that patients receive counseling about how the procedure might affect their fertility.
Thierry’s comments drew praise from some of his Republican colleagues, who called it a courageous rebuke of what they see as a radical position. She received much of her campaign funding from GOP donors during the primary, as well as from groups advocating for charter schools and school vouchers.
In his election night remarks, Simmons said his campaign had overcome “big Republican money” and “corporate PACs” supporting Thierry.
With his victory Tuesday, Simmons will face Republican Lance York in the November general election for District 146.
The district covers parts of south and southwest Houston and is heavily Democratic — Joe Biden carried it by nearly 80 percentage points in 2020.
Voting FAQ: 2024 Elections
-
What other elections should I be informed about?
Texas voters could participate in the following elections:
– May 4 Elections for many local elected positions and bond proposals that are not part of county government. The voter registration deadline is April 4.
– May 28 primary voting for elected office in which no candidate won more than half of the votes in the March Republican and Democratic primaries. The voter registration deadline is April 29.
– Nov. 5 general elections for many state, federal, and county offices. The voter registration deadline is October 1. 7.
-
Are there rules during elections?
Cell phones, cameras, computers, and other devices capable of recording sound or images cannot be used within 100 feet of polling places (where ballots are marked). There are usually traffic cones or signs indicating this. Beyond this limit, campaigning, including wearing clothing or other items promoting candidates, political parties or measures on the ballot, is also prohibited. Voters are allowed to use written notes to vote, at the discretion of election officials, who can determine whether the materials count as campaigning. Firearms, including handguns, are also prohibited at polling places, according to Texas law.
-
What are my rights as a voter?
Voters have the right to:
– vote provisionally if he is registered but his name does not appear on the list of registered voters due to an administrative problem
– obtain written instructions on how to vote or ask a polling station official or employee (but not on who or what to vote)
– Use up to two additional ballots to make corrections if a voter makes a mistake marking their ballot
– Usually vote in secret and should not be subject to intimidation
– benefit from interpretation, assistance or accommodation to vote if they have a disability or limited command of English
– vote during working hours without being penalized or losing pay (this may not apply if a worker has two hours before or after work to vote)
– Cast their ballot as long as they are in line before 7 p.m. on election day
A state law passed in 2023 also allows voters with disabilities or limited mobility to avoid lines at their polling location and requires that each polling location have a designated parking space for voting in street edge.
-
What happens if I intended to vote in person, but am diagnosed with COVID-19 or become ill?
If you have contracted COVID-19 or are experiencing symptoms, consider requesting emergency early voting or using door-to-door voting.
Emergency Ballot: These ballots may be requested if you become ill or disabled near an election and cannot get to a polling place on Election Day. To be eligible, you must designate a representative to submit a request in person on your behalf and hold a certified medical note. The application must be received by your county’s early voting location by 5 p.m. on Election Day.
Your ballot must be returned by the same designated representative by 7 p.m. on Election Day to be counted. Contact your county elections office for details on emergency early voting due to illness or disability.
Curbside Voting: You can also contact your county elections office to determine if you are eligible for curbside voting, which must be made available at each polling place for voters with disabilities who are unable to enter a voting place.
-
What can I do if I have difficulty voting?
At polling places, voters can speak to election officials or poll workers if they encounter any problems. The Secretary of State’s Office has a hotline at 1-800-252-VOTE (8683) to reach state attorneys available to assist voters and election officials with their questions. A coalition of voting rights groups operates voter protection hotlines in multiple languages. Disability Rights Texas also offers a helpline for people with disabilities.
-
Learn more
We have big things in store for you at the Texas Tribune Festival, taking place in September. 5 to 7 in downtown Austin. Join us for three days of big, bold conversations about politics, public policy, and the news of the day.