Shelley Luther, Drew Springer to run for Dallas-Fort Worth area state Senate seat
(Updated to add candidate and date of special election.)
Pilot Point Republican Shelley Luther, boosted to national fame when she went to jail over defying coronavirus orders, will run for the Texas Senate District 30 seat, she said Saturday at a Back the Blue rally in Denton.
Gainesville Republican state Rep. Drew Springer also announced his candidacy Sunday. Denton Mayor Chris Watts has also filed paperwork indicating he will run in the Sept. 29 special election for the seat left open by state Sen. Pat Fallon, R-Prosper.
The filing deadline is Aug. 28 for the special election, with early voting beginning Sept. 14. Candidates of any party compete.
Fallon moved into the race for Congressional District 4, facing Sherman Democrat Russell Foster in a predominantly Republican district.
Luther, 46, owner of a hair salon closed by Dallas officials during the coronavirus pandemic and then reopened after she led protests, would be among contenders in the district, which stretches from Aledo and Weatherford to Decatur, Wichita Falls, Denton and Sherman.
“You better bet I’m putting my hat in the ring,” Luther said Saturday in Denton. “I will fight to stand up for our Texas values.”
Luther’s announcement was first reported by QuorumReport.com.
Luther became entangled in a legal battle with Dallas County officials and in a political dustup with Gov. Greg Abbott when she reopened her salon even though salons were not listed as “essential” businesses during the coronavirus pandemic
District Judge Eric Moye issued a temporary restraining order for Salon A La Mode and Luther for violating city, county and state health orders.
She was ordered jailed for seven days in connection with a contempt of court charge, but then released after two days by order of the Texas Supreme Court, pending a further hearing.
Luther also received a $1,000 ticket.
An activist website raised more than $500,000 for her legal fees through a GoFundMe.com page before it was closed. She is represented by state Republican Party committeeman Warren Norred of Arlington and state Rep. Briscoe Cain, R-Deer Park.
This story was originally published August 22, 2020 at 4:13 PM.
