By Kenneth Feagins III | Submitted to TX3DNews
Guest columns reflect the views of the authors and not necessarily those of TX3DNews. We publish these submissions to foster civic dialogue and elevate diverse voices across TX-03.
On Tuesday, in a quiet but calculated move, Texas House Republicans rejected House Bill 4309—a modest, bipartisan attempt to restore fairness in how third parties nominate their candidates. The bill’s death didn’t come after fierce debate or public outcry. It came in silence, tucked behind procedural games, far from public scrutiny. That silence speaks volumes.
HB 4309 would have ended an absurd and unfair practice: forcing third-party candidates to pay filing fees that fund Republican and Democratic primaries—elections they’re legally barred from using. It would have redirected those fees back to the parties that use conventions to nominate their candidates, without burdening taxpayers. By blocking it, Texas Republicans sent a clear message: they prefer rigged rules over real competition.
The bill enjoyed bipartisan support early on. It passed through the committee thanks to lawmakers from both sides of the aisle, including local Representatives Mihaela Plesa and Matt Shaheen, who each demonstrated integrity by backing a bill that promotes choice and electoral integrity.
Despite that bipartisan support, the bill was ultimately struck down on the House floor, with opposition coming almost entirely from Republican members. No debate. No defense. Just a party-line rejection of basic electoral fairness.
What’s at stake isn’t just where a check gets sent—it’s whether voters will ever get to see a third-party candidate on their ballot again.
Since the 2019 imposition of filing fees on third-party candidates, Texas has seen a catastrophic collapse in third-party representation. Over 70% of Libertarian and Green Party candidates have disappeared from the ballot. Some estimates put the drop closer to 90%. This is systemic political exclusion disguised as administrative procedure.
For a party that claims to champion limited government, personal freedom, and competition, the GOP’s opposition to HB 4309 reveals a darker truth: their interest lies not in liberty, but in monopoly. They are not protecting democracy—they are protecting themselves.
This isn’t just a Libertarian or Green grievance. This is a warning to every Texan who believes in competitive elections, open debate, and the foundational idea that power should come from the people—not from procedural gatekeeping designed to silence dissent.
Libertarians are a persistent group, and they won’t stop. The Texas GOP may have just kicked a hornets’ nest with this one. HB 4309 might be dead—for now—but the fight for fair elections in Texas is only just beginning.
About the Author
Kenneth Feagins III is a senior data analyst for a Fortune 100 company. He also serves as Chair of the Collin County Libertarian Party and is a representative on the Executive Committee for the Libertarian Party of Texas. He lives in Plano, Texas.
This article was submitted as a guest column. TX3DNews does not endorse the views expressed. To pitch a guest submission, contact staff@tx3dnews.com.