Four former rivals endorse Pete Sessions in runoff to replace U.S. Rep. Bill Flores

Texas Tribune

By Patrick Svitek

The group includes George Hindman, who narrowly missed the runoff in the 12-way March 3 primary.

Four former opponents are endorsing Pete Sessions now that the ex-Dallas congressman is in the Republican primary runoff to replace retiring U.S. Rep. Bill Flores, R-Bryan.

The four endorsements, first shared Wednesday with The Texas Tribune, most notably include George Hindman, the third-place finisher in the 12-way primary earlier this month. Hindman finished less than a percentage point behind the Flores-backed Renee Swann, while Sessions easily came in first.

In addition to Hindman, Sessions is getting the support of Scott Bland, who finished fifth; Todd Kent, who came in seventh; and Laurie Godfrey McReynolds, who took ninth place.

Hindman, a Pflugerville aerospace engineer, had run as one of the more conservative candidates, and he clashed with Swann in the primary’s closing days as he sought to secure a runoff spot. He said in a statement that Republicans in the 17th District “now have two candidates from the more establishment wing of the Republican Party, so we must choose who is best for our community.”

“In my opinion, the choice is clear,” Hindman said. “Pete Sessions is the only remaining candidate who can unite Republicans from multiple factions in this community. Pete and his supporters spent their time in the primary talking about their campaign, not lying about their opponents.”

Click here to read more.