WICHITA FALLS, TX –Texas Attorney General Greg Abbott today endorsed State Senator Craig Estes (R-Wichita Falls) for reelection. Estes currently serves Senate District 30 that spans from North Texas around the DFW Metroplex to as far south as Erath County.

“Craig Estes is an important ally in the fight FOR our Texas conservative values and AGAINST federal government overreach,” said Abbott. “I enthusiastically endorse Craig and look forward to continuing our work together on behalf of Texas and Texans.”

Abbott’s announcement comes just two weeks after filing a lawsuit against the Obama administration’s Department of Justice for striking down Texas’ new photo Voter ID law, and the same week that the United States Supreme Court is hearing Texas’ case against Obamacare. Senator Estes co-authored the state’s new voter photo ID law and strongly opposes Obamacare.

“I strongly support General Abbott’s efforts to uphold our state’s new voter Photo ID law and overturn Obamacare,” said Estes. “Texas couldn’t have a better watchdog, and I am honored to have his vote of confidence.”

In addition to his leadership on passing the state’s new voter Photo ID law last session, Estes also helped pass a balanced budget with no new taxes, a resolution calling for a federal balanced budget, stronger border security measures, his landmark private property owner rights legislation, stronger 2nd amendment rights legislation, legislation that restores local control to public schools, and “loser pays” tort reform legislation.

For his leadership, Estes has been endorsed by conservative leaders across his district including U.S. Congressman Mac Thornberry; State Senator and Legislative TEA Party Caucus Chair Dan Patrick; State Representatives Myra Crownover, Rick Hardcastle, Jim Keffer, Lanham Lyne, Tan Parker and Larry Phillips; Denton County Judge Mary Horn, and Parker County WallBuilder Founder and former Vice Chair of the Republican Party of Texas David Barton.

Estes has also been endorsed by conservative organizations including the National Rifle Association (NRA), Texas State Rifle Association, Texas Farm Bureau AGFUND, Texas Association of Realtors, Texas Right to Life, Texas Alliance for Life, and the Texas Retailers Association.

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WICHITA FALLS, TX – State Senator Craig Estes (R-Wichita Falls) has filed for reelection to the court-ordered State Senate, District 30.  The court-ordered federal map differs from the map that was enacted by the 82^nd legislature.  Texas Attorney General Greg Abbott has asked the U.S. Supreme Court to overturn the court-ordered federal map.  Despite the pending challenge, Estes is enthusiastic to run in either district.

“It has been a tremendous honor to serve the fine people of North Texas, and I look forward to once again earning their support and continuing to fight for common-sense conservative values in the Texas Senate,” said Estes.  “However the courts rule, I plan to run a positive grassroots campaign across the entire district based on my proven record of conservative leadership for the families of District 30.”

During the 2011 session, Senator Estes authored SB 18, the landmark private property rights legislation that was signed into law by Governor Rick Perry.  Estes also co-authored voter photo ID legislation, helped pass a balanced state budget without raising taxes, passed “loser pays” tort reform, stronger border security initiatives and stronger pro-life legislation, including the “sonogram bill” and choose life license plates.

“My constituents made it clear they wanted us to pass a conservative legislative agenda, and I am proud of what we were able to accomplish,” said Estes.  “When re-elected, I will continue listening to the families of District 30 to make sure our shared conservative values are well represented in the Texas Senate.”

The court-ordered map for District 30 includes all of Archer, Clay, Cooke, Grayson, Jack, Montague, Palo Pinto, Wichita, Wise, and Young Counties as well as large geographical portions of Collin and Denton Counties.

Senator Estes is Chairman of the Senate Committee on Agriculture and Rural Affairs, and currently represents Senate District 30 covering Archer, Baylor, Clay, Collin (part), Cooke, Denton (part), Grayson, Jack, Montague, Parker, Palo Pinto, Shackelford, Stephens, Throckmorton, Wichita, Wilbarger, Wise, and Young counties.

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• Authored and passed new homeowner and property owner protections
• Passed voter Photo ID bill
• Passed balanced state budget with NO new taxes
• Passed resolution calling for a federal balanced budget amendment
• Restored local control to public education
• Passed pro-life “sonogram” bill
• Passed “Loser Pays” tort reform
• Passed requirement to show proof of citizenship to obtain a Texas Drivers License
• Passed stronger border security measures
• Passed 2nd Amendment gun owner rights protections
• Passed a resolution reaffirming States’ rights
• Helped protect public safety with first-in-the-nation “fracking” chemical disclosure bill
• Passed senior citizen property tax rate reduction
• Strongly Opposes Amnesty
• Strongly Opposes Obamacare

Earlier this month, Lt. Governor David Dewhurst issued select interim charges to six senate committees and one subcommittee focusing on the extreme drought conditions and devastating wildfires that have burned across Texas this year. “Our state is growing faster than our ability to provide an adequate supply of water. This is a serious problem that is being further compounded by the ongoing drought conditions” said Senator Craig Estes, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Agriculture and Rural Affairs. “Every Texan is impacted by the damaging effects of drought and wildfires. The extreme drought places critical pressure on our state’s energy load, strains municipal and state agency budgets, and wreaks havoc on the Texas farmers and ranchers that supply our food supply.”

During the hearing, Senator Estes encouraged all Texans to vote in favor of Proposition 2 and Proposition 8 on the November ballot. Estes and the Senate Committee on Agriculture and Rural Affairs continue to research available resources and tools that mitigate the devastating effects of the drought and wildfire. For additional information about the hearing, including presentations and handouts, please contact the committee office at 512-463-0340. Citizens can also view the archived video feed of the hearing at www.senate.state.tx.us.

Senator Estes is Chairman of the Senate Committee on Agriculture and Rural Affairs, and represents Senate District 30 covering an 18-county region of North Texas. Senator Fraser is Chairman of the Senate Committee on Natural Resources, and represents Senate District 24 covering a 21-county region in the geographic center of the state.