CAIR Action, the political arm of the Council on American‑Islamic Relations, published its 2026 Texas endorsement guide on October 22. The guide lists 369 candidates for the November 3 general election, the largest combined tally of any state in the organization’s nationwide guide.
Full endorsements and preferred ratings in DFW
Among the 18 candidates receiving full endorsements for offices that serve Dallas‑Fort Worth counties, all appear as Democrats on the Texas Secretary of State’s certification. The list includes Tarrant County Commissioner Alisa Simmons (D‑Precinct 2), congressional hopeful Frederick D. Haynes III, and state Representative Salman Bhojani (D‑District 92). Simmons is challenging incumbent Republican Tarrant County Judge Tim O’Hare.
The guide also designates a “Preferred” rating for several local officials, indicating strong alignment with CAIR Action’s priorities even if the endorsement is not full. Those preferred candidates include Amber Givens for Dallas County district attorney, Tiffany Burks for Tarrant County district attorney, John R. Buster Brown for Collin County judge, and Nick Pappas for Denton County judge. State Senator Taylor Rehmet (D‑District 9) and Texas House District 91 candidate Yisak Worku also receive the preferred rating.
Statewide endorsements and policy goals
Beyond the DFW region, CAIR Action backs state Rep. Vikki Goodwin (D‑District 47) for lieutenant governor and lists several “Preferred” candidates for statewide offices: state Rep. James Talarico (D‑District 50) for U.S. Senate, Rep. Gina Hinojosa (D‑District 49) for governor, and Sen. Nathan Johnson (D‑District 16) for attorney general.
The organization’s national election plan targets 12 priority states, including Texas, with a goal of registering two million new Muslim voters during the 2026 cycle. The plan calls for mosque‑based registration drives, college outreach, voter guides, early‑voting assistance, and trips to polling places after Friday prayers. CAIR Action emphasizes that the effort is nonpartisan and does not constitute an endorsement of any party.
Governor Abbott’s response
Governor Greg Abbott (R‑Texas) previously designated CAIR and the Muslim Brotherhood as foreign terrorist and transnational criminal organizations under Texas law. His proclamation barred the groups from acquiring Texas land and cited alleged ties to Hamas and the Holy Land Foundation terrorism‑financing case. Abbott’s office also accused CAIR National Executive Director Nihad Awad of praising the October 7, 2023 Hamas attack, a claim CAIR denies, saying Awad’s remarks were misrepresented and that he condemned attacks on civilians.
CAIR’s Dallas‑Fort Worth and Austin chapters have challenged Abbott’s proclamation in federal court, arguing that it infringes on free‑speech, due‑process, and property‑rights protections.
Local reactions and next steps
Muslim cleric Uthman ibn Farooq, speaking at a September 18 gathering in McKinney, said “we want Islam for this country” and defended Muslims’ constitutional right to practice their faith. While his remarks were not part of CAIR Action’s endorsement guide, they illustrate the broader conversation about religious liberty and civic participation in North Texas.
Early voting in Texas continues through October 30, and Election Day is set for November 3. Voters in the DFW area can review the full CAIR Action guide for detailed candidate information, but should also consider each candidate’s policy positions and voting record when casting their ballots.
Original reporting: WBAP News/Talk (Dallas-Fort Worth) — read the source article.
