This Week in Texas: Wednesday, March 2, 2016

The results are in.

The results of the Texas Primary are in!  Here are the fast and furious results of yesterday’s election.  For more detailed information, go to the Secretary of State’s website here. Primary runoff elections will be held May 24, 2016.

Voter turnout was up and in many parts of the state; many voters cast their ballots well after the polls had officially closed. With over 80% of precincts counted, Republican participation was well past 2.5 million voters and Democratic participation near 1.4 million voters.

President

Both Ted Cruz (43.7% of the vote) and Hillary Clinton (65.2% of the vote) easily won their respective primaries. Donald Trump and Marco Rubio finished a distant second (26.8% of the vote) and third (17.8% of the vote).

U.S. Congress

Incumbents avoid runoffs

It was a good night for congressional incumbents. Early on in the night, nine U.S. House primary races were called in favor of incumbents: Louie Gohmert (R-CD 1), Sam Johnson (R-CD 3), John Ratcliffe (R-CD 4), Joe Barton (R-CD 6), Will Hurd (R-CD 23), Michael Burgess (R-CD 26), Henry Cuellar (D-CD 28), Eddie Bernice Johnson (D-CD 30), and Marc Veasey (D-CD 33). In a much closer race, incumbent Kevin Brady (R-CD 8) defeated 3 primary challengers, avoiding a runoff. Incumbent Gene Green (D-CD 29) defeated challenger Adrian Garcia by a healthy margin in what has been a very personal race. Pete Sessions (R-CD 32) also defended his seat by defeating 3 challengers outright. John Culberson (R-CD 7) is another incumbent to defeat multiple challengers and win this primary outright.

Runoffs and new faces

CD 15: Vicente Gonzalez (D-McAllen) came in first out of 6 candidates running to replace retiring U.S. Rep. Ruben Hinojosa. He will face Juan “Sonny” Palacios, Jr. (D-Edinburg) in a runoff on May 24th.

CD 19: Lubbock Mayor Glen Robertson (R) and former Texas Tech Vice Chancellor Jodey Arrington (R) are heading to a runoff to replace retiring U.S. Rep. Randy Neugebauer.

Statewide Races

Texas Railroad Commission
Gary Gates  (28.4%) and Wayne Christian (19.8%) will face each other in a runoff on May 24th to become the Republican candidate for Texas Railroad Commission in November. Grady Yarbrough (40%) and Cody Garrett (35.1%) are headed to a runoff to become the Democratic candidate for Texas Railroad Commission in November.

Judicial Races

Justice, Place 5, Texas Supreme Court: incumbent Paul Green (R) (52.1%) defeated challenger Rick Green (47.9%) and will face Democrat Dori Contreras Garza in November.

Justice, Place 3, Texas Supreme Court: incumbent Debra Lehrmann (R) (52.2%)  defeated challenger Michael Massengale (47.8%) and will face Democrat Mike Westergren in November.

Justice, Place 9, Texas Supreme Court: incumbent Eva Guzman (59.2%) defeated Joe Pool (40.8%) and will face Democrat Savannah Robinson in November.

Judge, Place 6, Court of Criminal Appeals: incumbent Michael Keasler (R) (56.9%) defeated Richard Davis (43.1%) and will face Democrat Robert Burns in November.

Judge, Place 5, Court of Criminal Appeals: in a race for an open seat. Scott Walker (41.4%) is headed to a runoff with Brent Webster (20.5%), Steve Smith (19.6%), or Sid Harle (18.5%). At the time of writing, a few precincts had not yet reported. The winner will face Democrat Betsy Johnson in November.

Judge, Place 2, Court of Criminal Appeals: Mary Lou Keel (R) (39.4%) and Ray Wheless (R) (35.4%) will head to a runoff on May 24th. The winner will face incumbent Democrat Larry Meyers in November.
Texas Senate

• SD 1 (Eltife retirement): Bryan Hughes (R-Mineola) (48%) led a pack of four by a healthy margin all night, but could not avoid a runoff. He will face David Simpson (R-Longview) (21.3%) in a runoff on May 24th.
• SD 19: incumbent Carlos Uresti (D-San Antonio) (74.6%) easily defeated Helen Madla (25.4%) and will face Republican Peter P. Flores in November, although this is a safely Democratic seat.
• SD 24: At the time of writing with 90% of precincts counted, it looks like Susan King (R-Abilene) (28.9%) and Dr. Dawn Buckingham (R-Lakeway) (23.9%) are headed to a runoff. The winner will face Democrat Virginia Leeder in November in this safely Republican seat.
• SD 26: incumbent Jose Menendez (D-San Antonio) (59.%) successfully defended his seat from Trey Martinez Fischer (40.8%).

 Texas House

Many projected that an increase in voter turnout due to the presidential race would be detrimental to incumbents and “establishment” candidates. Though many races came very close, only 4 incumbents were unseated. These four races were split between being a perceived win for the “anti-establishment” or a loss.

• HD 1: incumbent Gary VanDeaver (R-New Boston) (61.9%) defeated George Lavender in a rematch for this House seat.
• HD 2: incumbent Dan Flynn (R-Van) (50.6%) defeated Bryan Slaton.
• HD 4: Lance Gooden (R-Terrell) (51.8%) defeated incumbent Dr. Stuart Spitzer (R-Kaufman) in a close rematch separated by roughly 1,000 votes.
• HD 5: Cole Hefner (R) (46%) and Jay Misenheimer (R) (27.1%) are headed to a runoff to replace Bryan Hughes who is in his own runoff for a Texas Senate seat.
• HD 7: Jay Dean (R-Wichita Falls) defeated David Watts and will succeed David Simpson in the Texas House.
• HD 8: incumbent Byron Cook (R-Corsicana) (50.4%) narrowly defeated challenger Thomas McNutt by 222 votes in one of the closest races of the primary.
• HD 11: Travis Clardy (R-Nacogdoches) (86.3%) easily defended challenger Tony Sevilla. Although a safely Republican seat, Clardy faces Democrat Stephen Wright in November.
• HD 12: incumbent Kyle Kacal (R-College Station) (70.4%) defeated challengers Timothy Delasandro and Michael Stanford.
• HD 14: incumbent John Raney (R-College Station) (68.8%) defeated challenger Jess Fields.
• HD 17: incumbent John Cyrier (R-Lockhart) (65.1%) defeated challenger Brent Golemon.
• HD 18: Keith Strahan (R-Liberty) (28.2%) and Ernest Bailes (R-Shepherd) (25.9%) are headed to a runoff on May 24th to succeed retiring John Otto.
• HD 20: Terry Wilson (R-Marble Falls) (54.3%) defeated incumbent Marsha Farney (45.7%).
• HD 27: with 3 primary challengers, incumbent Ron Reynolds (D-Missouri City) was unable to avoid a runoff and will face Angelique Bartholomew (D-Missouri City) in a May 24th runoff. The winner will face Republican Ken Bryant in November. This is a safely Democratic seat.
• HD 33: Frisco Mayor Pro Tem Justin Keating (R) (37.6%) and Heath City Council member Justin Holland (32.9%) are headed to a runoff and will face Democrat Karen Jacobs in November to replace retiring Scott Turner (R-Frisco). This is a safely Republican seat.
• HD 36: Sergio Muñoz, Jr. (D-Mission) (60.1%) defeated challenger Abraham Padron (39.9%).
• HD 37: incumbent Rene Oliveira (D-Brownsville) (67.9%) defeated challenger Don De Leon (32.1%).
• HD 47: incumbent Paul Workman (R-Austin) (60.6%) (39.4%) defeated Jay Wiley and will face Democrat Ana Jordan in November.
• HD 49: with seven candidates running, Gina Hinojosa (D) won outright with 57% of the vote, avoiding a runoff and will be the one who replaces retiring Elliott Naishtat.
• HD 54: Scott Cosper (R-Killeen) (41.8%) will face Austin Ruiz (R-Killeen) (33.4%) in a runoff to take the seat of retiring Jimmie Don Aycock. The winner will face Sandra Blankenship in this safely Republican seat in November.
• HD 55: former state representative Hugh Shine (R-Temple) (53.6%) defeated incumbent Molly White (R-Belton) (46.4%).
• HD 58: incumbent Dewayne Burns (R-Cleburne) (53.6%) defeated challenger Philip Eby (46.4%).
• HD 59: incumbent Dr. J.D. Sheffield (R-Gatesville) (61.6%) defeated challenger Brent Graves (38.4%).
• HD 60: Mike Lang (R-Granbury) (53.9%) defeated Kevin Downing (46.1%) in the race to replace retiring Jim Keffer.
• HD 64:Lynn Stucky (R-Sanger) (42.3%) and Read King (R-Denton) (30%) are headed to a runoff. The winner will face Connor Flanagan (D) in November. This is a safe seat for Republicans.
• HD 65: incumbent Ron Simmons (R-Carrollton) (83.2%) defeated challenger Ben Kissling (16.8%) and will face Democrat Ben Mendoza in November. This is a safely Republican seat.
• HD 71: Stan Lambert (R-Abilene) (51.9%) won outright out of 5 primary candidates and will face Pierce LoPachin (D) in November to replace Susan King who is in her own runoff for a Texas Senate seat. This is a safely Republican seat.
• HD 73: incumbent Doug Miller (R-New Braunfels) (43.5%) is headed to a run off with Kyle Biedermann (39.8%) on May 24th.
• HD 75: incumbent Mary Gonzalez (D-El Paso) (57.9%) defeated challenger and predecessor Chente Quintanilla (42.1%).
• HD 77: Evelina Ortega (D-El Paso) (69.2%) defeated Adolfo Lopez (30.8%) by a wide margin and will replace Marisa Marquez in the Texas House.
• HD 81: incumbent Brooks Landgraf (R-Odessa) (67.8%) defeated challenger Joshua Crawford (32.4%).
• HD 84: incumbent John Frullo (R-Lubbock) (55.2%) defeated former state representative Jim Landtroop (44.8%).
• HD 89: incumbent Jodie Laubenberg (R-Parker) (70.7%) defeated Dalton Lytle (29.3%).
• HD 92: incumbent Jonathan Stickland (R-Bedford) (58.1%) defeated challenger Scott Fisher (41.9%) and will face Democrat Kim Leach in November, although this is a safely Republican seat.
• HD 94: incumbent Tony Tinderholt (R-Arlington) (58.3%) defeated challenger Andrew Piel (41.7%).
• HD 96: incumbent Bill Zedler (R-Arlington) (71.8%) defeated Wesley Nelson (28.2%) and will face Democrat Sandra Lee in November, although this is a safely Republican seat.
• HD 99: incumbent Charlie Geren (R-Fort Worth) (58.2%) defeated challenger Bo French (41.8%).
• HD 106: incumbent Pat Fallon (R-Frisco) (82.9%) defeated Trent Trubenbach (17.1%).
• HD 110: incumbent Toni Rose (D-Dallas) (63.7%) defeated challenger Sandra Crenshaw (36.3%).
• HD 112: incumbent Angie Chen Button (R-Garland) (77.4%) defeated Chris DeHart (22.6%) and will face Democrat Jack Blackshear in November. This is a safe seat for Republicans.
• HD 113: incumbent Cindy Burkett (R-Sunnyvale) (56%) defeated Jonathan Boos (44%) and will face Rhetta Andrews Bowers (D) in November. This is a possible swing district.
• HD 114: incumbent Jason Villalba (R-Dallas) (55.2%) defeated challenger Dan Morenoff (44.8%) and will face Democrat Jim Burke in November. This is a safe seat for Republicans.
• HD 115: incumbent Matt Rinaldi (R-Irving) (53.4%) defeated Bennett Ratliff (46.6%) in a rematch and will face Democrat Dorotha Ocker in November, although this is a safely Republican seat.
• HD 116:Diana Arévalo (D- San Antonio) (53%) defeated both opponents—Martin Golando (29%) and Ruby Resendez (18%)—outright, avoiding a runoff.
• HD 118: newly sworn in John Lujan (R-San Antonio) will face Tomas Uresti (D-San Antonio) in a rematch in November.
• HD 120: Barbara Gervin-Hawkins (D-San Antonio) and Mario Salas (D-San Antonio) are headed to a runoff to replace Ruth Jones McClendon in the Texas House.
• HD 121: Speaker Joe Straus (R-San Antonio) (60.3%) handily defeated both primary challengers Sheila Bean (11.1%) and Jeff Judson (28.6%) by a wide margin, avoiding a runoff.
• HD 124: incumbent Ina Minjarez (D-San Antonio) easily defeated challenger Sergio Contreras with 71.5% of the vote.
• HD 127: incumbent Dan Huberty (R-Humble) defeated challenger Mitchell Bosworth with 77.8% of the vote.
• HD 128: incumbent Wayne Smith (R-Baytown) (43.6%) is headed to a runoff with Briscoe Cain (R-Deer Park) (48%) on May 24th.
• HD 130: Dr. Tom Oliverson (R-Cypress) easily defeated primary opponent Kay Smith with 70.1% of the vote and will succeed retiring Allen Fletcher.
• HD 131: incumbent Alma Allen (D-Houston) defeated challenger John Shike with 89.8% of the vote.
• HD 134: incumbent Sarah Davis (R-West University Place) (59.5%) defeated primary challenger David Palmer (40.5%), and will face Democrat Ben Rose in November. This is a possible swing district.
• HD 137: incumbent Gene Wu (D-Houston) (65.2%) defeated primary challenger Edward Pollard (34.8%) and will face Republican Kendall Baker in November. This is a safe seat for Democrats.
• HD 139: Kimberly Willis (D-Houston) (31.9%) and Jarvis Johnson (D-Houston) (28.7%) are headed to a runoff to succeed Sylvester Turner in the Texas House.
• HD 144: Mary Ann Perez (D-South Houston) defeated 2 primary opponents outright and will face incumbent Gilbert Peña (R-Pasadena) in a November rematch. This is a swing district.
• HD 148: incumbent Jessica Farrar (D-Houston) defeated primary challenger Dave Wilson with 88% of the vote.
• HD 149: incumbent Hubert Vo (D-Houston) (64.9%) defeated primary challenger Demetria Smith, but will face Republican Bryan Chu in November.
• HD 150: Valoree Swanson (R-Spring) defeated incumbent Debbie Riddle with 52.5% of the vote and will face Michael Shawn Kelly (D) in November. This is a safely Republican seat.

State Board of Education

SBOE-1: Georgina Perez (D-El Paso) (55.9%) defeated Joe Fierro, Jr. (27.9%) and Lynn Oliver (16.1%), avoiding a runoff, and will succeed retiring Martha Dominguez (D).

SBOE-6: Democrats Jasmine Jenkins (43.8%) and R. Dakota Carter (32.5%) are headed to a runoff on May 24th. The winner will face SBOE Chair Donna Bahorich in the fall.

SBOE-9: Mary Lous Bruner (R-Mineola) (48.5%) and Keven Ellis (R-Lufkin) (31.1%) are heading to a runoff on May 24th. The winner will face Democrat Amanda Rudolph in November to replace Thomas Ratliff, who is retiring.