Facts vs Feelings: A Data-Driven Guide to the 2026 Texas Democratic Primary

Disclosure: This analysis was researched and written with the assistance of Claude Code, Anthropic’s AI coding assistant. All candidate information was sourced from public reporting, campaign websites, editorial board interviews, and polling data. The persuasion scoring reflects the author’s editorial judgment applied through an AI-assisted workflow. Voters should verify claims independently before casting a ballot.

The March 3, 2026 Texas Democratic Primary ballot for Dallas County is enormous — 31 contested races spanning federal, state, and local offices. I went through my sample ballot (Precinct 12), researched every candidate in every contested race, and scored them on how much they rely on facts and data versus feelings and emotions to make their case.

Same methodology as the Republican guide: two independent 1–10 scales. A candidate can score high on both, low on both, or anywhere in between. Judicial races tend to cluster low on emotion, which is appropriate — you probably don’t want a judge who campaigns on rage.

One important context note: Democrats haven’t won statewide in Texas since 1994. The primary winner in most Dallas County local races is effectively the general election winner, but every statewide nominee faces long odds in November.

Facts vs Feelings: A Data-Driven Guide to the 2026 Texas Republican Primary

Disclosure: This analysis was researched and written with the assistance of Claude Code, Anthropic’s AI coding assistant. All candidate information was sourced from public reporting, campaign websites, editorial board interviews, and polling data. The persuasion scoring reflects the author’s editorial judgment applied through an AI-assisted workflow. Voters should verify claims independently before casting a ballot.

The March 3, 2026 Texas Republican Primary ballot for Dallas County is packed — 12 contested races with 47 candidates total. I went through my sample ballot (Precinct 166), researched every candidate in every contested race, and scored them on how much they rely on facts and data versus feelings and emotions to make their case.

The methodology is simple: two independent 1–10 scales. A candidate can score high on both (a skilled communicator who uses data and stirs emotion) or low on both (a quiet campaign with little public presence). The scores come from reviewing campaign websites, public statements, news coverage, editorial board interviews, and advertising.

Stewardship and the Parable of the Minas

Scripture References

• Luke 19:11-27

Introduction

The group listened to the same passage that was preached in Sunday service and revisited it for deeper discussion. Conversation opened with a light-hearted “button” exercise about risk versus guarantee, which served as a bridge into Jesus’ parable on stewardship, trust, and faithfulness while the Kingdom is “delayed but not denied.”

Stewards, Not Owners: Faithful With God's Resources

Scripture References

• Luke 19:11-27
• Luke 19:44
• Hebrews 13:3
• John 1:11
• Psalm 24:1
• Leviticus 27:30
• Proverbs 3:9-10
• Matthew 6:24
• Luke 6:38
• Malachi 3:10

Introduction

• Pastor opens with testimony of gospel impact in Iran–average of ten daily baptisms amid persecution; calls congregation to remember persecuted believers (Heb 13:3).
• Series context: “Boot Camp–Training for Team Jesus,” nearing final week; today’s focus is money and stewardship.
• Reads Luke 19:11-27 (parable of the minas) while congregation stands in reverence.
• Explains prophetic backdrop: Jesus’ approach to Jerusalem, prediction of temple destruction (Luke 19:44) fulfilled in A.D. 70; therefore His future promises–including judgment and reward–are certain.

Using DuckDB in AWS Lambda

This is going to be short but I wanted to get this down because I did this once before and everything worked out great but then when I tried it again with another lambda project, I had a lot of problems getting credentials setup.

First of all, DO NOT go hard coding anything in the lambda. Definitely, DO NOT hard code credential key and secret but do not hard code the region either, unless there is a very specific need for this like you’re running the lambda in one region but say accessing an s3 bucket that is setup in another region.

The Call to Humble Service: Discipleship Boot Camp Week 5

Gathering Information

• Leader: Charles (teaching); Mark (will lead closing prayer)
• Time note: Charles needed to leave by 6:20 p.m. for the opening of “Rooted.”

Scripture References

• Luke 22:24–30

Introduction

• Opening reminder that the 10-week “Rooted” discipleship course begins tonight; next session begins in ~18 weeks.
• Session aim: expose our default instinct to protect personal status and contrast it with Jesus’ call to humble service.
• Warm-up: rapid-fire everyday scenarios (potluck line, last slice of pizza, four-way stop, credit for work, etc.) to surface personal instincts.

Made for This: Serving Like Jesus

Scripture References

• Mark 10:42–45
• Isaiah 58:5–10
• 1 Peter 2:9
• 1 Peter 4:10
• 1 Corinthians 12:4–27

Introduction

• The preacher (Breaux) greets the congregation in the New Year and promotes the “Rooted” discipleship experience as a next step for everyone—from skeptics to seasoned believers.
• He frames the current sermon series as “Boot Camp,” a practical training in living the life of Jesus. Previous weeks covered baptism, Spirit-dependence, truth, and community; today’s theme is serving.
• Personal mission statement written at age 25: “I just want to look, love, and live like Jesus.” Serving is indispensable to that pursuit.

A Disciple Assembles a Band of Brothers / Sisters

Gathering Information

• Live, online snow-day study from Josh & Jana Howerton’s home (“Howerton Casa”), Dallas-area, early Feb 2023
• Interactive stream across multiple platforms; comments fed to leader in real time

Scripture References

• Luke 5:1-11
• Luke 6:12-16
• John 21:1-19
• James 5:16
• Proverbs 27:17
• Proverbs 12:18
• Proverbs 13:20
• Matthew 5:29-30
• Romans 8:1-3
• 2 Peter 1:3
• 2 Corinthians 6:14
• 1 Peter 1:13

Introduction

• Snow and ice cancelled in-person services, so the Howertons invited everyone into their living room for a “life-group style” Bible study.
• Viewers asked to grab Bibles, coffee, and drop comments (location, snow-day activities, questions).
• Light-hearted moments: showing a newly mounted gemsbok, naming suggestions (“Zulu,” “Howie,” “Paul”).
• Celebrations shared:
  • 7,148 people at Night of Prayer & Worship (Rockwall campus)
  • Two volunteers (John Mixon & Kelly Vrooman) got engaged that night
  • Healing testimony: Jackson, 19, 18-months free of fentanyl, instant relief from 10/10 back pain
  • Jana’s ongoing ministry to couples battling infertility

Trust, Obedience & Submission in the Wilderness

Scripture References

• Luke 4:1-13
• Exodus 16:2-3
• Exodus 17:2-4, 7
• Exodus 32 (Golden Calf episode)

Introduction

• Ice-breaker on favorite fast-food chains (Whataburger, Burger King, Portillo’s, Raising Canes, In-N-Out, Steak ’n Shake, etc.) highlighted convenience, taste, speed, and affordability—setting up the contrast between quick satisfaction and long-term health.
• Theme: believers often feed on “spiritual fast food.” Luke 4 shows Jesus choosing the harder, healthier way of trust, obedience, and submission in the wilderness immediately after His baptism.

Men & Women of the Word

Scripture References

• Genesis 1:29
• Deuteronomy 6
• Deuteronomy 8
• Psalm 119:11
• Ezekiel
• Matthew 4
• Matthew 6:13
• Matthew 24:35
• Luke 4
• Romans 6
• Ephesians 6:10-17
• Hebrews 5:12
• 1 John 2:16
• 1 John 4:1

Introduction

• Week 3 of the “Boot Camp: Training for Team Jesus” series.
• Focus: a true disciple becomes a man or woman of the Word and of prayer.
• Pastor warns that drowning people don’t need Greek word studies on “life-jacket”; they need someone to throw the jacket—today’s sermon is that practical life-jacket.
• Special assignment: text “BIBLE” to 20411 for a podcast deep-dive on reading, studying, and teaching Scripture to families.