Early primary voting starts on Valentine’s Day

Early voting in the March 1 primary begins on Feb. 14 and runs through Feb. 25. The last day to apply for a ballot by mail is Feb. 18.

There are seven statewide seats on the ballot: governor, lieutenant governor, attorney general, land commissioner, agriculture commissioner, comptroller and one seat on the railroad commission. Winners in the Republican and Democratic primaries will face off in the Nov. 8 general election.

GOP incumbent Gov. Greg Abbott faces seven primary opponents while five candidates are vying for the Democratic nomination, with the best-known being Beto O’ Rourke, a former candidate for U.S. Senate and the presidency.