Texans cast ballots this past Tuesday in a slate of primary elections that included county, state and congressional seats that will shape the state’s leadership for years.
Early voting numbers suggested strong participation across Texas, with nearly 2.6 million people cast ballots during the early voting period, according to state election data.
While there are still some challenges in the runoff election in May, Texans have a preview of what the contests could look like come November.
Locally in Hockley County, Jody Rose, elections administrator, said there were more than 3,164 voters casting ballots, with 77 absentee voters, 1,745 early voters and 1,342 casting ballots on election day. Rose said there were no problems encountered on election day.
County elections in the Republican primary saw incumbent Sharla Baldridge win her county judge contest against Chris Obenhaus, drawing 58.34% of the vote.
In a four-way race for county commissioner, Pct. 4, Jimmy Martin drew 31.88% of the vote and Darren Robertson, 31.04%. The pair will advance to the runoff election on May 26 to determine the Republican nomination.
Candidates winning uncontested races included Republicans Anna Hord, 286th District Court Judge; Oralie Gutierrez, district clerk; Jennifer Palermo, county clerk; Kelli Brock Martin, county treasurer; Larry Carter, county commissioner, Pct. 2; Wendi McNabb, Justice of the Peace, Pct. 1; Mike Richardson, Justice of the Peace, Pct. 2; Larry Wood, Justice of the Peace, Pct. 4; Derek Lawless, Justice of the Peace, Pct. 5; and Pat Cowan, county chair.
Across the board, Hockley County Republicans voted for the 10 non-binding propositions.
The only Democrat running locally was Aaron Gonzalez for Democratic chair; he ran unopposed. Democrats in the county also voted for all 13 propositions. Statewide, elections saw numerous highly contested primaries in both parties with key seats drawing numerous contenders.
Republican primaries saw Gov. Greg Abbott move to the top with 81.8% of the vote. He will face Democrat Gina Hinojosa, who won with 58.8%, in the November general election.
In the race for Lt. Governor, Republican Dan Patrick captured 84.8% of the vote. Democratic candidates Vikki Goodwin, with 48%, and Marcos Velez, with 31.5%, are headed to the runoff election.
The primary for U.S. Senate drew numerous candidates from both parties. Democrat James Talarico, with 52.8%, defeated Jasmine Crockett, with 45.9%. The Republican senate race is headed to the run-off election in May to determine a final nomination, with incumbent John Cornyn drawing 41.9% and Ken Paxton at 40.7% and neither meeting the 50% threshold.
Campaigns for both Democratic candidates for the U.S. Senate, Crockett and Talarico, called on Dallas County Elections to extend voting hours to 9 p.m., but were blocked by the Texas Supreme Court. The order stated that any votes cast by voters who were not in line to vote at 7 p.m. should be separated.
See “Primaries” continued on page 2 In one of the most closely watched races, U.S. Rep. Chip Roy, with 31.6%, and state Sen. Mayes Middleton, with 39.2%, finished as the top two candidates and will advance to a head-to-head runoff in May to determine the GOP nominee, Democratic candidates for attorney general, Nathan Johnson with 48.1% and Joe Jaworski at 26.4%, are also headed into the runoffs.
The state comptroller race saw Republican Don Huffines score a win with 57.4% and Democrat Sarah Eckhardt won with 64.3%.
Republican Charles Perry ran unchallenged for state senator, securing his place on the November ballot. He will face Democrat Riley Rodriguez, who also ran unopposed.
The U.S. House District 19 race saw Republican Tom Sell at 40.06% and Abraham Enriquez at 23.36%, putting them in the runoff race. The winner of the runoff election will face Democrat Kyle Rable who ran unopposed. Incumbent Jodey Arrington did not seek reelection.
Republican State Rep. Ken King, at 53.87%, secured a place on the November ballot for Dist. 88 representative, edging out John Browning, who received 46.13% of the vote. King will face Democrat Heather Wallace in November.
In the race for general land commissioner, Republican Dawn Buckingham ran unopposed. She will face Democrat Benjamin Flores in November.
The railroad commissioner race saw Republicans Jim Wright with 31.8%, and Bo French with 32.8% , sending them to the runoffs. The winner will face Democrat Jon Rosental, who ran uncontested.
The Texas primary runoff election is scheduled for May 28. Early voting will be held for one week beginning May 18 and through May 22 from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. The last day to register to vote in this election is April 27.