AUSTIN — Two conservative political action committees started by powerful GOP donors Charles and David Koch have endorsed 13 state lawmakers up for reelection on Friday, including five from North Texas.

Americans for Prosperity Texas Action and its affiliate LIBRE Action unveiled endorsements for Reps. Matt Krause of Fort Worth, Jeff Leach of Plano, Tan Parker of Flower Mound, Scott Sanford of McKinney and Matt Shaheen of Plano.

“These candidates have a proven track record of leading on policies that will help every Texan pursue their American dream and reach their full potential,” Jerome Greener, an AFP Action senior adviser said in a statement. “Whether it’s letting families keep more of their hard-earned dollars, ensuring every child has access to a quality education, or keeping our streets safe by being smart on crime, each of these candidates have demonstrated a commitment to making Texas a better place to live, work, and raise a family.”

Three of those lawmakers — Krause, Leach and Shaheen — are top targets for Democrats looking to flip the Texas House and are expected to have close races in the November general election. Shaheen won his last election by only 400 votes.

The groups praised Leach’s work as the chairman of the Judiciary and Civil Jurisprudence committee and his support for a bill to cap property tax revenue growth for local governments. They also praised Shaheen’s work on the Ways and Means Committee, which handled the property tax bill and his work on criminal justice issues, like the unsuccessful effort to reform how bail works in Texas.

Krause, they said, “influenced policies to reduce unnecessary regulatory restrictions that create barriers to opportunities and ultimately encourage innovation and principled entrepreneurship.”

The groups also endorsed Reps. Mayes Middleton of Wallisville, Jim Murphy of Houston and Valoree Sawnson of Spring.

Middleton, a first-term lawmaker, was the author of the so-called “taxpayer funded lobbying” bill, which would have banned local governments from paying lobbyists to work for them in Austin.

The bill, which failed when it was not supported by a group of Republicans worried about its impact on local governments, led to a schism within the GOP that resulted in the downfall of House Speaker Dennis Bonnen and House GOP Caucus leader Dustin Burrows after they targeted fellow Republicans — including Parker — who voted against the bill.

Still, GOP leaders have promised to make the bill a priority in the 2021 legislative session.

In their endorsement, the groups said Middleton “showed leadership, even when it was politically difficult, by supporting efforts to ban taxpayer-funded lobbying.”

The group also endorsed five state senators, including Republicans Dawn Buckingham of Lakeway, Bryan Hughes of Mineola, Larry Taylor of Friendswood and Pete Flores of Pleasanton. The sole Democrat endorsed by the groups was State Sen. Eddie Lucio Jr., of Brownsville, who is in a heated primary and is often the only Democrat to vote with Republicans on controversial social issues.

On Thursday, liberal groups called for Democrats in South Texas to vote against Lucio, saying he has a 30-year history of “putting extremist politics before constituents.” The groups — which included the political arms of Progress Texas, Planned Parenthood and the Texas Freedom Network — denounced Lucio’s support of private school vouchers, a “bathroom bill" and restrictions on abortion.

“The 2020 Democratic primary is the first serious primary challenge Lucio has faced in years, and it’s an opportunity for progressive residents in the Valley to demonstrate their growing political power," Tara Pohlmeyer, communications manager for Progress Texas, said in a statement. "As someone who grew up in the Valley, I’m ready to see residents vote for strong, progressive candidates who represent a future where everyone is able to thrive.”

In their endorsement, LIBRE Action defended Lucio as a lawmaker who was “willing to reach across the aisle to improve the quality of life for all South Texans."

“His commitment to work with others regardless of party affiliation is admirable especially at a time when partisanship runs deep,” Jorge Martinez, a senior adviser for LIBRE Action said in a statement. "From removing unnecessary barriers getting in the way of harnessing Texas’ natural energy to allowing Texans to customize their child’s education, Sen. Lucio is an important voice in Austin and deserves to be reelected.”