On April 21, the Texas House Elections Committee passed HB 1987, which is authored by Representative Cody Vasut (R-Angleton). It says that a party chair cannot be a candidate for elective office, or an office-holder. The vote was 5-4.

The bill would be unconstitutional under Eu v San Francisco County Central Committee, 489 US 214 (1989). That unanimous decision strikes down California laws on who can be a state party chairperson, under Freedom of Association. Furthermore, as to congressional candidates, the bill would violate the U.S. Supreme Court decision U.S. Term Limits v Thornton, which says states can’t add to the qualifications for congressional candidates. Thanks to Jim Riley for the news about the bill.