Ed. note: The following is one of twenty races we are featuring in the Texas Political Report. Annie's List provided research and analysis for this race.
Candidate Pages: Rep. Paula Pierson website, on Facebook, on Twitter
Candidate Pages: Barbara Nash website, on Facebook, on Twitter
District Overview: The Numbers, The Issues, and the Candidates
- House District Map: District 93
- District History: 2008 Election Results
Representative Paula Pierson is vying for her third term in the Texas House after winning tough races in 2006 and 2008. Pierson has a solid four year legislative record, including serving on the Criminal Jurisprudence and Urban Affairs Committees as well as helping to found the Alliance for Children, a resource for victims of child abuse in her district.
District 93 is situated in Tarrant Co. east of Fort Worth and includes parts of the cities of Arlington, Grand Prairie and Mansfield. HD 93 is growing and becoming more diverse, and its 145,606 residents tend to favor candidates of both parties. The district has been trending more Democratic – Obama won the district in 2008 with 53.6% of the vote – but a number of Republicans also represent parts of HD 93. In a year with a tough national climate for Democrats, Rep. Pierson could be challenged by a serious Republican threat.
Rep. Pierson will likely focus on lowering utility rates, education standards and protecting children, and the controversy involving her opponent, Barbara Nash, should prove damaging to Republican hopes and allow Rep. Pierson to focus on these real issues in her district. Nash is embroiled in a double scandal, as it’s been revealed that the nursing homes she runs have suffered numerous complaints about abuse to the elderly patients residing there, and she lied about these abuse complaints and past bankruptcies on state documents for appointment by the governor to the Trinity River Authority.
How Rep. Paula Pierson Returns Next Year
This is a swing district with a clear path to victory for Democrats. Given the damaging With such disastrous negatives against her, Nash will need some serious cash to try to change the subject and put her message in front of voters. Rep. Pierson has a strong legislative record and a long history of bipartisan service as a former member of the Arlington City Council, and with the resources and the professional team she’s assembled, she should be able to communicate that record to her constituents.
June 30 Campaign Finance Report:
| HD 93: Pierson vs. Nash | Contributions |
Expenditures |
Cash on Hand |
| Rep. Paula Pierson (D) |
$91,501 | $43,330 | $100,554 |
| Barbara Nash (R) |
$14,114 | $15,451 | $10,786 |
| Pierson's Advantage |
$77,387 | – | $89,768 |
