Texas Executive Department Candidates
The Executive Department of the State shall consist of a Governor, who shall be the Chief Executive Officer of the State, a Lieutenant Governor, Secretary of State, Comptroller of Public Accounts, Commissioner of the General Land Office, and Attorney General. Additional State Level Offices of Railroad Commissioner and Agricultural Commissioner will also be on this page as well as State Board of Education.
Note to the Voter: Remember that you are the HR person choosing who is best qualified to be in Leadership for the State of Texas. Check out the Candidate's educational background, their work history, and Community Service. If it is an Incumbent (in office now and trying to get reelected) check their voting record. Very important. Did they vote the way they promised they would on their platform? Did they vote with their party or against it? Which candidate is best qualified over all and lines up with your beliefs? That is who you should vote for.
About the Texas Governor
The Governor of Texas is the chief executive of the state of Texas and is elected by the citizens every four years. The governor has the power to: sign and veto bills passed by the state legislature, serve as commander-in-chief of the state's military forces, convene special sessions of the legislature, grant reprieves and pardons, and fill vacant positions via appointment. Additionally, the governor is responsible for delivering the "State of the State" address and an annual state budget report and budget recommendation.The Governor's powers, term of office, qualifications, and installation are established by Article 4 of the Texas Constitution.
Qualifications
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At least thirty years of age
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A citizen of the United States
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Shall have resided in this State at least five years immediately preceding his election
Salary $153,750
For more information about the job responsibilities of the Lt. Governor see Ballotpedia: https://ballotpedia.org/Governor_of_Texas
Texas Governor:
Governor up for re-election 2026.
About the Texas Lieutenant Governor
Texas Lieutenant Governor is the second-highest executive office in the government of Texas. The office of the lieutenant governor is part of both the executive and legislative branches. According to the Texas Constitution the lieutenant governor is also the President of the Texas State Senate. The lieutenant governor becomes governor if the elected governor resigns or dies while in office. Texas elects lieutenant governors in the midterm elections, that is, even years that are not presidential election years.Though a member of the executive branch, the lieutenant governor's only executive duty is to assume the governorship in the event the office becomes vacant or the governor temporarily leaves the state. As President of the Texas State Senate, the lieutenant governor has the authority to decide all parliamentary questions and to use discretion in following senate procedural rules. The lieutenant governor has the power to set up standing or special committees and appoint committee chairpersons and individual members. The lieutenant governor also determines the order in which bills are considered by the state senate. As the president of senate, the lieutenant governor may cast tie-breaking votes. The Constitution also names the lieutenant governor to the five-member Legislative Redistricting Board, which apportions the state into senatorial and representative districts in the event the full legislature is unable to do so.
Qualifications:
Has to be at least 30 years old, Resident of Texas for at least five years, and a United States citizen
Salary $7,200 Source: https://ballotpedia.org/Lieutenant_Governor_of_Texas; https://www.nlga.us/wp-content/uploads/TEXAS2.1.pdf
Texas Lt.Governor:
Lt. Governor up for re-election in 2026.
About the Texas Attorney General
The Attorney General of Texas is the chief lawyer and legal officer for the state of Texas. According to the Texas Constitution, the attorney general defends the laws and the constitution of the state of Texas, represents the state in litigation, and approves public bond issues.The attorney general is elected to serve for a four-year term. There is no term limit for this office. As the state’s top law enforcement officer, the Attorney General leads more than 4,000 employees in 38 divisions and 117 offices around Texas. That includes nearly 750 attorneys, who handle more than 30,000 cases annually – enforcing child support orders, protecting Texans against consumer fraud, enforcing open government laws, providing legal advice to state officials, and representing the state of Texas in court, among other things.
Qualifications:
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at least 18 years of age
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a citizen of the United States
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a resident of Texas for at least 12 months
Source: https://www.texasattorneygeneral.gov/about-office; https://ballotpedia.org/Attorney_General_of_Texas
Attorney General:
Attorney General up for re-election in 2026.
About the Comptroller of Public Accounts
The Comptroller of the State of Texas is an elected executive position in the Texas state government. The comptroller is the chief financial officer of the state government, responsible for maintaining the state’s finances. The comptroller also acts as the tax collector, the chief accountant, the chief revenue estimator, and chief treasurer for the state.
The primary responsibility is to manage the State accounts, invest on behalf of the State, guarantee the correct administration and continuity of the public pensions. Report to the Legislature and the people of Texas the budget, income, expenditures, forecast and act as Texas Chief Financial Officer, among others responsibilities. The Comptroller makes and influences decisions that impact all stages of Texan lives.
Source: https://ballotpedia.org/Angel_Vega
Qualifications:
There are no specific qualifications for this position.
Source: Ballotpedia https://ballotpedia.org/Texas_Comptroller_of_Public_Accounts
Comptroller of Public Accounts:
Comptroller of Public Accounts up for re-election in 2026.
About the Secretary of State
The Secretary of State is one of six state officials named by the Texas Constitution to form the Executive Department of the State. The Secretary is not elected but is appointed by the Governor, with confirmation by the Senate, and serves at the pleasure of the Governor. The Secretary serves as Chief Election Officer for Texas, assisting county election officials and ensuring the uniform application and interpretation of election laws throughout Texas. The Office of the Secretary of State also provides a repository for official and business and commercial records required to be filed with the Office. The Secretary publishes government rules and regulations and commissions notaries public. The Secretary also serves as keeper of the state seal and attestor to the Governor's signature on official documents. In addition, the Secretary serves as senior advisor and liaison to the Governor for Texas Border and Mexican Affairs, and serves as Chief International Protocol Officer for Texas.
Qualifications:
There are no specific qualifications for this office. Source: https://ballotpedia.org/Texas_Secretary_of_State
Additional State Level Offices
About the Commissioner of the General Land Office
The Texas Land Commissioner is a state executive position in the Texas state government. The land commissioner serves as the elected head of the Texas General Land Office (GLO). The GLO's mission statement is: "The Texas General Land Office serves the schoolchildren, veterans, and all people of Texas by preserving their history, protecting their environment, expanding economic opportunity, and maximizing state revenue through innovative administration and prudent stewardship of state lands and resources.
The General Land Office is established in Article 14 of the Texas Constitution.
Article 14, Section 1:
There shall be one General Land Office in the State, which shall be at the seat of government, where all land titles which have emanated or may hereafter emanate from the State shall be registered, except those titles the registration of which may be prohibited by this Constitution. It shall be the duty of the Legislature at the earliest practicable time to make the Land Office self sustaining, and from time to time the Legislature may establish such subordinate offices as may be deemed necessary.
things.
Qualifications:
There are no specific qualifications for this position. Source: Ballotpedia: https://ballotpedia.org/Texas_Land_Commissioner
Land Commissioner:
Land Commissioner up for re-election in 2026.
About the Agriculture Commissioner
The Texas Commissioner of Agriculture is a state executive position in the Texas state government. The commissioner heads the Texas Department of Agriculture.The commissioners powers, term of office, etc. are derived from Chapter 11 of the Texas Agricultural Code.
Qualifications:
Chapter 11 of the Texas Agricultural Code establishes the requirements for office:
Section 5, Chapter 11:
To be eligible for election as commissioner or appointment to fill a vacancy in the office of commissioner, a person must:
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Have been engaged, for at least five of the 10 years preceding the year in which the person is elected or appointed to the person's initial term, in the business of agriculture;
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Have worked, for the five-year period preceding the calendar year in which the person is elected or appointed to the person's initial term, for a state or federal agency in a position directly related to agriculture;
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Have owned or operated, for at least five of the 10 years preceding the year in which the person is elected or appointed to the person's initial term, farm, ranch, or timber land that qualifies for agricultural use appraisal under Subchapter C, Chapter 23, Tax Code, and be participating, in the calendar year in which the person is elected or appointed to the person's initial term, in a farm program administered by the federal Agricultural Stabilization and Conservation Service; or
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Have worked, for at least five years at any time before the calendar year in which the person is elected or appointed to the person's initial term, for the Texas Agricultural Council, an organization that is a member of the Texas Agricultural Council, or another agricultural producer association.
Source: Ballotpedia-https://ballotpedia.org/Texas_Commissioner_of_Agriculture
Agriculture Commissioner:
Agriculture Commissioner up for re-election in 2026.
About the Railroad Commissioner
The Texas Railroad Commission is a state executive agency in the Texas state government. Despite its name, the commission does not regulate railroads, but instead regulates the oil and gas business in Texas. Historically, the railroad commission has been a very powerful office. OPEC, the Middle Eastern oil cartel, was originally modeled in part on the commission. According to the Texas Tribune, the agency has also been a launching pad to higher office. One of the three seats on the Commission is up for election in 2022.
Qualifications:
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a qualified voter under the constitution and laws; and
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at least 25 years of age.
Source: Ballotpedia-https://ballotpedia.org/Texas_Railroad_Commission
Railroad Commissioner:
Railroad Commissioner
About the State Board of Education
The Texas State Board of Education is an elected executive agency of the Texas state government, responsible for managing the state's public K-12 education. The board is composed of 15 members elected to four-year terms to represent one of the state's 15 education districts. Education district borders are redrawn every 10 years. The first time members meet after getting elected to redrawn districts, seven members selected at random have their current terms shortened to two years, meaning that their seats come up for election in different years than the other eight. Elections are held in even-numbered years. Every two years, the governor selects a chair from among the board's members. The nominee for chair must be approved by the Texas State Senate. If a board member serves two consecutive two-year terms as chair, they are not eligible to be named to the position until four years have passed. Every two years, the board elects a vice chair and secretary from among its members.
Qualifications:
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Members of the board may not hold another public office. This also applies to candidates seeking election to the board.
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Candidates seeking election to the board must have lived in their district for at least one year as of election day.
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Candidates seeking election to the board must be registered to vote in their district.
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Candidates seeking election to the board must be at least 26 years of age.
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Registered lobbyists representing interests relevant to the board may not serve on the board.
Duties:
The duties of the Texas State Board of Education are laid out in Section 7.102c of the Education Code of Texas. Among them are the establishment of long-term plans and standards for the state's education system and the selection of instructional materials for the state's schools.
Section 7.102c:
(1) The board shall develop and update a long-range plan for public education.
(2) The board may enter into contracts relating to or accept grants for the improvement of educational programs specifically authorized by statute.
(3) The board may accept a gift, donation, or other contribution on behalf of the public school system or agency and, unless otherwise specified by the donor, may use the contribution in the manner the board determines.
(4) The board shall establish curriculum and graduation requirements.
(5) The board shall establish a standard of performance considered satisfactory on student assessment instruments.
(6) The board may create special-purpose school districts under Chapter 11.
(7) The board shall provide for a training course for school district trustees under Section 11.159.
(8) The board shall adopt a procedure to be used for placing on probation or revoking a home-rule school district charter as required by Subchapter B, Chapter 12, and may place on probation or revoke a home-rule school district charter as provided by that subchapter.
(9) The board may grant an open-enrollment charter or approve a charter revision as provided by Subchapter D, Chapter 12.
(10) The board shall adopt rules establishing criteria for certifying hearing examiners as provided by Section 21.252.
(11) The board shall adopt rules to carry out the curriculum required or authorized under Section 28.002.
(12) The board shall establish guidelines for credit by examination under Section 28.023.
(13) The board shall adopt transcript forms and standards for differentiating high school programs for purposes of reporting academic achievement under Section 28.025.
(14) The board shall adopt guidelines for determining financial need for purposes of the Texas Advanced Placement Incentive Program under Subchapter C, Chapter 28, and may approve payments as provided by that subchapter.
(15) The board shall adopt criteria for identifying gifted and talented students and shall develop and update a state plan for the education of gifted and talented students as required under Subchapter D, Chapter 29.
(16) Repealed by Acts 2013, 83rd Leg., R.S., Ch. 73, Sec. 2.06(a)(1), eff. September 1, 2013.
(17) The board shall adopt rules relating to community education development projects as required under Section 29.257.
(18) The board may approve the plan to be developed and implemented by the commissioner for the coordination of services to children with disabilities as required under Section 30.001.
(19) The board shall establish a date by which each school district and state institution shall provide to the commissioner the necessary information to determine the district's share of the cost of the education of a student enrolled in the Texas School for the Blind and Visually Impaired or the Texas School for the Deaf as required under Section 30.003 and may adopt other rules concerning funding of the education of students enrolled in the Texas School for the Blind and Visually Impaired or the Texas School for the Deaf as authorized under Section 30.003.
(20) The board shall adopt rules prescribing the form and content of information school districts are required to provide concerning programs offered by state institutions as required under Section 30.004.
(21) The board shall adopt rules concerning admission of students to the Texas School for the Deaf as required under Section 30.057.
(22) The board shall carry out powers and duties related to regional day school programs for the deaf as provided under Subchapter D, Chapter 30.
(23) The board shall adopt and purchase or license instructional materials as provided by Chapter 31 and adopt rules required by that chapter.
(24) The board shall develop and update a long-range plan concerning technology in the public school system as required under Section 32.001 and shall adopt rules and policies concerning technology in public schools as provided by Chapter 32.
(25) The board shall conduct feasibility studies related to the telecommunications capabilities of school districts and regional education service centers as provided by Section 32.033.
(26) The board shall appoint a board of directors of the center for educational technology under Section 32.034.
(27) Repealed by Acts 2001, 77th Leg., ch. 1420, Sec. 4.001(b), eff. Sept. 1, 2001.
(28) The board shall approve a program for testing students for dyslexia and related disorders as provided by Section 38.003.
(29) The board shall perform duties in connection with the public school accountability system as prescribed by Chapter 39.
(30) The board shall perform duties in connection with the Foundation School Program as prescribed by Chapter 42.
(31) The board may invest the permanent school fund within the limits of the authority granted by Section 5, Article VII, Texas Constitution, and Chapter 43.
(32) The board shall adopt rules concerning school district budgets and audits of school district fiscal accounts as required under Subchapter A, Chapter 44.
(33) The board shall adopt an annual report on the status of the guaranteed bond program and may adopt rules as necessary for the administration of the program as provided under Subchapter C, Chapter 45.
(34) The board shall prescribe uniform bid blanks for school districts to use in selecting a depository bank as required under Section 45.206.
Currant Redistricting Data and Source: https://ballotpedia.org/Texas_State_Board_of_Education;
Map: https://dvr.capitol.texas.gov/sboe/0/PLANE2106
Board of Education Members
Member, State Board of Education, District 1 Gustavo Reveles - Winner 2024
Reveles earned a B.A. in journalism from the University of Texas at El Paso. His career experience includes working as a report for the Fort Worth Star-Telegram and the El Paso Times, as a public information officer for the Canutillo Independent School District, and director of community engagement for the El Paso Independent School District.
Director of Communications and Marketing at Canutillo Independent School District
Former Director of Community Engagement at Official El Paso Independent School District
Former Education Reporter at Fort Worth Star-Telegram
Former Journalist at El Paso Times
Studied Journalism at University of Texas at El Paso
Source: https://ballotpedia.org/Gustavo_Reveles
Population 1,944973
Jurisdiction: All 100% except Bexar--Atascosa, Bandera, Bexar (21%), Brewster, Crockett, Culberson, Dimmit, Edwards, El Paso, Frio, Hudspeth, Jeff Davis, Kimble, Kinney, La Salle, Maverick, Medina, Menard, Pecos, Presidio, Real, Reeves, Schleicher, Sutton, Terrell, Uvalde, Val Verde, Webb, Zapata, and Zavala.
Member, State Board of Education, District 2
Population 1,946,220
Jurisdiction: All 100%--Aransas, Calhoun, Cameron, Hidalgo, Jackson, Kenedy, Kleberg, Matagorda, Nueces, Refugio, San Patricio, Victoria, Wharton, Willacy.
Member, State Board of Education, District 3 Marisa Perez-Diaz (IN) Unopposed Winner 2024
Executive Director Foundation, Eighth-grade English Language Arts and Reading teacher, department chair, pre-service and new-service teacher mentor and professional development educator in the same district for more than a decade. Pérez holds educator certifications in English Language Arts and Reading for grades 8-12 and Generalist certifications for grades 4-8 from the UT at El Paso. She holds degrees in Business Administration/Accounting and Human Resource Development. She is the author of Unity Framework: Critical Literacy Lessons and Women of the Americas: a teatro." Pérez continues her work in curriculum and framework development, educator training, and creating access and equity in public education. She was also elected by her SBOE peers as the only Democrat to serve on the state's Long-Range Plan for Public Education Steering Committee, which helped to establish broad goals for the Texas public school system. Pérez was instrumental in spearheading policy creating a statewide course in Mexican American Studies as well as developing a fast-track for additional ethnic studies courses and making Texas the only state in the nation to offer the course to all high school students. She is recognized for her leadership on Path2Diploma, an initiative which allows school districts to grant high school diplomas to individuals previously denied diplomas due to standardized testing requirements.Pérez is known as passionate advocate for literacy. She has worked with various organizations and businesses to coordinate a book distribution program and founded Tu Libro, which has provided more than 500,000 books to students who live in rural and impoverished communities in El Paso County and who don’t have regular access to a library. Pérez and her team have spearheaded the creation of a library in Socorro, which is the second-largest municipality in El Paso County, providing more than 55,000 area residents with free access to English and Spanish reading materials. Pérez is the founder and president of the Rural School Education Program & Scholarship Foundation for students and families in El Paso's rural communities. Her initiatives include college and career mentorship programs for graduating seniors, awarding scholarships to students, and grant to public classroom teachers. She is the founder of the Texas Student Civic Engagement Project and a YWCA racial justice ambassador.
Population 1935,905
Jurisdiction: All 100% except Bexar and Hidalgo—Bee, Bexar (79%), Brooks, De Witt, Duval, Goliad, Gonzales, Hidalgo (6%), Jim Hogg, Jim Wells, Karnes, Lavaca, Live Oak, McMullen, Starr, Wilson
Member, State Board of Education, District 4 Staci Childs (IN) Unopposed Winner 2024 Attorney, Staci Childs was born in Atlanta, Georgia, and lives in Houston, Texas. Childs earned a degree from Hampton University and a J.D. from Thurgood Marshall School of Law at Texas Southern University. Her career experience includes owning a private legal practice and working as an attorney and a language arts teacher. Childs runs the non-profit GirlTalk University.
Population 1,952,470
Jurisdiction: Central, northeast, and southeast Houston (Harris county 41%), and parts of Galveston county-4%.
Member, State Board of Education, District 5 Rebecca Bell-Metereau (IN) Professor, bachelor's degree from Indiana University in 1973, a graduate degree from Indiana University in 1973, and a Ph.D. from Indiana University in 1981. Her career experience includes working as a professor of English and film at Texas State University.
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Rebecca Bell-Metereau serves on the Texas State Board of Education and represents District 5 in central Texas. She is running for re-election in the March 1, 2022 Democratic Primary.
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Rebecca is a dedicated teacher and an award-winning professor of English and film at Texas State University.
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Rebecca is dedicated to providing Texas schoolchildren with a 21st Century education. That includes teaching factually accurate history, science and sex education.
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Rebecca is committed to reducing our over-reliance on high-stakes testing.
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Rebecca works to ensure that our $46 billion Permanent School Fund is invested wisely and used solely to improve public education in Texas.
Population 1,936,424
Jurisdiction: All 100% except Williamson—Bastrop, Blanco, Caldwell, Guadalupe, Hays, Travis counties, and parts of Williamson county (13%).
Member, State Board of Education, District 6
Population 1,942,263
Jurisdiction: Harris County (32%) and Montgomery County (72%)
Member, State Board of Education, District 7
Population 1,942,256
Jurisdiction: All 100% except Ft. Bend and Galveston—Brazoria, Chambers, Fort Bend (76%), Galveston (94%), Hardin, Jasper, Jefferson, Liberty, Newton, Orange, and Tyler
Member, State Board of Education, District 8
Population 1.936,505
Jurisdiction: : All 100% except Ft. Bend, Galveston, Harris, and Montgomery Counties.— Ft. Bend (24%), part of Galveston(3%), Grimes, Harris (27%), Houston, Polk, Montgomery (28%), San Jacinto, Trinity, Walker, and Waller counties.
Member, State Board of Education, District 9
Population 1.947,153
Jurisdiction: All 100% except Dalls—Angelina, Camp, Cass, Cherokee, Dallas (26%) Franklin, Gregg, Harrison, Kaufman, Marion, Morris, Nacogdoches, Panola, Rains, Rockwall, Rusk, Sabine, San Augustine, Shelby, Smith, Titus, Upshur, Van Zandt, and Wood
Member, State Board of Education, District 10
Population 1,937,699
Jurisdiction: All 100% except Williamson—Anderson, Austin, Bell, Brazos, Burleson, Burnet, Colorado, Comal, Falls, Fayette, Freestone, Gillespie, Henderson, Kendall, Kerr, Lampasas, Lee, Leon, Limestone, Llano, Madison, Mason, Milam, Robertson, San Saba, Washington, and Williamson (87%)
Member, State Board of Education, District 11
Population 1,946,851
Jurisdiction: All 100% except Dallas Johnson and Tarrant——Dallas (5%), Hood, Johnson (52%) Parker, Somervell, and Tarrant (71%)
Member, State Board of Education, District 12
Population: 1,951,032
Jurisdiction: All 100% except Dallas,and Denton—-Bowie, Collin, Cooke, Dallas (12%), Delta, Denton (7%), Fannie, Grayson, Hopkins, Hunt, Lamar, Red River
Member, State Board of Education, District 13 Dr. Tiffany Clark
DeSoto ISD School Board Trustee Place 4
Profile · Digital creator
Owner/Manager/CEO at Akkomplished Experience
Former School counselor at Waxahachie High School
Former School counselor at Waco High School
Former Science Teacher at DeSoto West Middle School
Studied Educational Leadership/ Conflict Resolution at Abilene Christian University
Went to DeSoto High School
Studied Community and School Counseling at University of North Texas
Studied Major in Psycology at University of Houston
http://LinkedIn.com/in/tiffanyclark1908
Population 1,945,502
Jurisdiction: Dallas (51%) and Tarrant (29%)
Member, State Board of Education, District 14
Population 1,937,339
Jurisdiction: All 100 % except Dallas, Denton, and Johnson——Bosque, Clay, Comanche, Coryell, Dallas (6%), Denton (93%), Eastland, Ellis, Erath, Hamilton, Hill, Jack, Johnson (48%), McLennon, Mills, Montague, Navarro, Palo Pinto, and Wise
Member, State Board of Education, District 15
Population 1,942,913
Jurisdiction: All 100 %—Andrews, Archer, Armstrong, Bailey, Baylor, Borden, Briscoe, Brown, Callahan, Carson, Castro, Childress, Cochran, Coke, Coleman, Clooingsowrth, Concho, COttle, Crane, Crosby, Dallam, Dawson, Deaf Smith, Dickens, Donley, Ector, Fisher, Floyd, Ford, Gaines, Garza, Glasscock, Gray, Hale, Hall, Hanford. Hardeman, Hartley, Haskell, Hemphill, Hockley, Howard, Hutchinson, Irion, Jones, Kent, King, Knox, Lamb, Lipscomb, Loving, Lubbock, Lynn, Martin, McCulloch, Midland, Mitchell, Moore, Motley, Nolan, Ochiltree, Oldham, Parmer, Potter, Randall, Reagan, Roberts, Runnels, Scurry, Shackelford, Sherman, Stephens, Sterling, Stonewall, Swisher, Taylor, Terry, Throckmorton, Tom Green, Upton, Ward, Wheeler, Wichita, Wilbarger, Winkler, Yoakum, and Young.