Hunt Predicts Close Race Against Self at Greenville Gathering

By R.J. Morales | TX3DNews

Evan Hunt, the Democratic nominee for Texas’ 3rd Congressional District, predicted a close race against Rep. Keith Self during at an Oct. 3 Greenville gathering, outlining his campaign’s outreach strategy as Texas House candidate Dr. Fatima Muse discussed schools, healthcare and rural infrastructure.

Hunt expects a closer finish

“I can pretty much guarantee you we’re going to win or lose within a five percent margin,” the Democratic congressional challenger said.

Hunt based his assessment on conversations with voters, campaign outreach and his expectation that dissatisfaction with Republican leadership could change voting patterns. He did not present district polling during the remarks and questions reviewed for this article.

Self won comfortably under the previous district boundaries. In 2024, the Republican incumbent defeated Democrat Sandeep Srivastava with approximately 62.5% of the vote to 37.5%, a nearly 25-point margin. Because the boundaries have changed, that result is not a direct forecast for November.

Hunt argued that diesel costs and tariffs could weaken Republican support in rural counties, particularly among farmers and truckers who voted for President Donald Trump.

“I don’t think he’s going to get the turnout he used to,” Hunt said.

He acknowledged that dissatisfied voters might stay home rather than vote Democratic. His prediction therefore depends on a change in turnout or voter preferences that campaign conversations alone cannot measure.

Winning Collin, reaching east

Asked about campaigning in Franklin County, Hunt described a strategy centered on winning Collin County while competing in Hunt County and communities farther east.

He said his campaign had worked with Democratic groups on recurring gatherings in rural areas, where residents live farther apart and door-knocking is more difficult.

“Land doesn’t vote. People do,” Hunt said, responding to concerns about Republican territory on the district map.

Hunt reported more than 30,000 doors knocked and an introductory video sent by text to roughly 200,000 people. He said that text campaign cost $7,000, with additional messages planned to encourage supporters to vote.

Those figures were provided by Hunt and describe campaign activity rather than confirmed voter support. Reaching voters and persuading them to change their votes are separate challenges.

“I will go anywhere I’m invited, sir,” Hunt told the attendee asking about Franklin County.

Religious freedom and accountability

Hunt criticized Self’s involvement in the McKinney mosque dispute, arguing that religious controversies were drawing attention away from healthcare, education and other constituent concerns.

Self has publicly framed his position around what he calls “political Islam.” In an Aug. 17 Texas Scorecard opinion piece, he described his district as the “epicenter” of that perceived threat. His earlier statement provides background on his position, rather than a response to Hunt’s remarks at the gathering.

Hunt defended religious freedom and argued against treating Muslim communities collectively as threats.

He also advocated congressional term limits, restrictions on congressional stock trading and stronger Supreme Court ethics requirements, tying those proposals to his argument that government should serve residents more effectively.

“Government isn’t bad by itself. Bad government is bad,” he said. “Because it takes your money, it gives you nothing in return.”

Muse focuses on schools, healthcare and roads

Muse, who is seeking Texas House District 2, proposed redirecting future voucher funding to public schools, improving teacher compensation and protecting teacher retirement.

“Fund the classrooms, pay the teachers, educate the children,” she said.

She also called for fully funding state mandates and reducing reliance on standardized testing as a measure of student success.

On healthcare, Muse supported Medicaid expansion and phased infertility insurance coverage, initially focusing on large-group insurance plans. She said the approach would allow an assessment of costs and sustainability before broader implementation.

Her rural revitalization proposal would assist communities with fewer than 50,000 residents with road repairs, matching assistance and grant-writing support. She proposed using transportation funding and available federal funds, scaling back projects if funding declined.

Muse said her proposals must identify funding and protect taxpayers. They would require legislative approval, and she did not present a complete cost analysis at the gathering.

“I am not in a battle against Republicans,” she said. “I am in a battle against poor policies.”

One month remaining

With the Nov. 3 election approaching, Hunt urged attendees to continue organizing and contacting voters. Despite his prediction of a close finish, he acknowledged the uncertainty facing Democratic candidates.

“Until the day we win as Democrats in Texas, we’re underdogs,” he said.
Editor’s note: TX3DNews contacted U.S. Rep. Keith Self’s office for a response to Councilman Justin Beller’s remarks and endorsement of Evan Hunt. No response had been received at the time of publication. The story will be updated if a response is provided.