Former Amarillo City Councilmember Elaine Hays seems to be moving forward with her return to politics.

A website appearing to promote her campaign for Texas State House District 64 has appeared at ElaineHaysforTexas.com. A Facebook page for her 2020 congressional bid, previously called “Hays for Congress,” has been renamed to “Elaine Hays for Texas.” The Facebook page now links to the ElaineHaysforTexas.com website.

According to the website, Hays’ priorities include fully securing the border, reducing property taxes, banning gender modification of minors, ending woke political indoctrination, abolishing abortion, advancing medical freedom, expanding religious liberty, enhancing the Texas electrical grid, championing Texas oil & gas, and fighting for election integrity.

Hays was first elected to Amarillo City Council Place 1 in 2017 as a part of an Amarillo Matters PAC-backed ticket led by Ginger Nelson. During her two terms on the council, Hays was a close ally of Nelson. Out of hundreds of votes taken by Hays on the council, only 23 of her votes were opposite Nelson. Of those votes, 8 were related to the city’s 2019 budget and tax rate process. At the time, critics alleged that the votes were an attempt to create a record of opposing tax increases ahead of her unsuccessful 2020 congressional bid.

After losing her 2020 congressional bid, Hays chose not to seek a third term on Amarillo City Council in 2021. After completing her term, Hays moved to Runaway Bay in Wise County. House District 64 district is northwest of the Dallas-Fort Worth area and includes all of Wise County and a portion of northwestern Denton County.

Hays filed a treasurer appointment for the House District 64 seat on July 6th, according to the Texas Ethics Commission. The seat is currently held by Republican Lynn Stucky. Andy Hopper, who nearly won a primary challenge against Stucky in 2022, has announced he is running again. Hopper is backed by Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton. Stucky was one of 60 Republican representatives who voted to impeach Paxton earlier this year. According to the Texas Ethics Commission, a treasurer appointment has also been filed by Nova Martin.

The primary election is scheduled for Tuesday, March 5th. If necessary, a runoff election will be held on Tuesday, May 28th. The general election will be held on Tuesday, November 5th, 2023.