A Republican-backed effort to change tax laws could benefit hundreds of thousands of Texans who depend on tip revenue as their main source of income. But budget analysts warn the move could bloat the country’s already soaring federal deficit.

Much of the House battlefield is centered in districts with struggling schools, where Democrats hope public education will resonate at the ballot box.

Two primary runoff elections in the Big Bend region in May headed to recounts after the winners in each contest prevailed by just one vote.

Herrera said he doesn’t expect the results to change, “but I feel I owe it to my volunteers, voters, and supporters to leave no stone unturned.”