Governor Greg Abbott may have won his voucher fight, but Texas Democrats are gearing up to flip enough seats in November to counteract his top priority.
With just over a dozen races to watch, State Representative Gina Hinojosa emphasizes that flipping three additional Democratic seats in the Texas House could halt the voucher push and protect neighborhood public schools.
One key district to watch is House District 65, where Detrick Deburr, a committed public servant with deep roots in North Texas, is challenging the far-right Republican Candidate Mitch Little.
Who is Detrick Deburr?
Detrick Deburr has served North Texas over the past 23 years. Including roles as a Planning and Zoning Commissioner in The Colony and Cedar Hill, chairing the Dallas Blueprint for Leadership Program, served on the Board of St. Philips School and he is also an active member of The Omega Psi Phi Fraternity Incorporated, according to his campaign website.
He is also a software engineer, father of three, and grandfather of three. His legislative priorities focus on expanding Medicaid, improving education funding, and enacting reasonable gun-control measures.
“I’m running because I’m not beholden to any political agenda. I am running as a progressive because my personal views align more with today’s Democratic Party than today’s Republican Party,” Deburr states on his website. “I’m running to bring back two-party politics in the State of Texas.”
The Challenge: Mitch Little
Deburr faces Mitch Little, a far-right extremist with a controversial record. Little, who unseated moderate Rep. Kronda Thimesch (R-Carrollton) in the March 5 Republican primary, is known for his extreme positions, including pledges to ban abortion, advance secession legislation, and undermine fair representation for communities of color.
Little previously served on Attorney General Ken Paxton’s defense team during his impeachment trial.
House District 65: A District in Flux
House District 65, part of the gerrymandered districts in Denton County, is experiencing significant demographic shifts and rapid growth. The district encompasses parts of Carrollton, Lewisville, Flower Mound, and smaller suburban areas, with a diverse population of 53% Anglo and 46% non-Anglo.
According to Lone Star Left, despite being a +8.3 Trump district in 2020, the area’s explosive growth and shifting demographics have moved it further left. Denton County, one of the fastest-growing counties in America, is becoming more urban and Democratic, making HD65 a prime target for Democrats.
