This Week in Texas: Wednesday, March 7, 2018

Posted March 13, 2018 in The Mignon Memo

The results are in. 

In the first mid-term election in the country that is not a special election, all eyes are on Texas and 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 22, 2018.

Early voting numbers were up in the largest counties, especially for Democrats. That trend, however did not keep up on election day. With almost 100% of precincts reporting, more than 1.5 million voters participated in the Republican Primary (close to 10% of registered voters) and roughly 1 million voters participated in the Democratic primary (short of 7% of registered voters).

U.S. Senate

Beto O’Rourke (D) received 61.8% of the vote and will face incumbent Ted Cruz (R) in the general election in November. Cruz defeated 3 primary challengers with 85.3% of the vote.

U.S. Congress

Eight open seats in the Texas congressional delegation made for an extremely competitive primary. Five of the eight are will be decided in runoffs.

Incumbents prevail against Primary challengers and runoffs

Louie Gohmert (CD-1), John Ratcliffe (CD-4), John Culberson (CD-7), Michael McCaul (CD-10), Mike Conaway (CD-11), Randy Weber (CD-14), Sheila Jackson Lee (CD-18), Pete Olson (CD-22), Will Hurd (CD-23), Kenny Marchant (CD-24), Michael Burgess (CD-26), Eddie Bernice Johnson (CD-30), John Carter (CD-31), Pete Sessions (CD-32), Marc Veasey (CD-33) all handily won their primaries.

Runoffs, new faces, and firsts

Out of a field of 9 Republican candidates, Kevin Roberts (33%) and Dan Crenshaw (27.4%) are headed to a runoff to replace retiring Ted Poe (R-Houston) in CD-2.

Outgoing State Senator Van  Taylor (R-Plano) won 84.7% of the vote in the Republican primary to replace retiring Congressman Sam Johnson in CD-3. Although a safely Republican seat, he will face the winner of the Democratic primary runoff in November.

Outgoing State Representative Lance Gooden (29.9%) and Bunni Pounds (22%) are headed to runoff out of a field of 8 in the Republican primary to succeed retiring Jeb Hensarling in CD-5.

Ron Wright (45.1%) and Jake Ellzey (21.7%) are headed to a runoff in the race to replace retiring Joe Barton in CD-6.

CD-7: Democrats Lizzie Pannill Fletcher (29.3%) and Laura Moser (24.3%) have earned spots in a runoff and the winner will face incumbent John Culberson in November.

CD 10: Democrats Mike Siegel (40%) and Tawana Walter-Cadien (18%) are headed to a runoff. The winner will face incumbent Michael McCaul in November.

CD 16: Veronica Escobar (61.4%) easily avoided a runoff out of a field of 6 Democratic candidates in the race to replace Beto O’Rourke. She faces Republican Rick Seeberger in November although is a safely Democratic seat.

CD-21: Republicans Chip Roy (27.1%) and  Matt McCall (16.9%) are headed to a runoff out a field of 18 in the race to succeed Lamar Smith.

CD-23: Democrats Gina Ortiz Jones (41.3%) and Rick Trevino (17.4%) are headed to a runoff. The winner will face incumbent Will Hurd (R-San Antonio) in November. This is competitive/swing district.

CD-27: Republicans Bech Bruun (36.1%) and Michael Cloud (33.9%) are headed to a runoff in the race to replace Blake Farenthold (R-Corpus Christi).

CD-29: State Senator Sylvia Garcia prevailed in the Democratic primary with 63.2% of the vote, avoiding a runoff. Although she will face a Republican in November, this is a solidly Democratic seat. She and fellow congressional democratic candidate Veronica Escobar will be the first Latinas elected to U.S. Congress from Texas.

CD-32: Democrats Colin Allred (38.5%) and Lillian Salerno (18.3%) head to a runoff out of a field of 7 candidates to challenge incumbent Pete Sessions.

Statewide Races

Governor

Democratic gubernatorial candidates Lupe Valdez (42.9%) and Andrew White (27.4%) are headed to a runoff. The winner will face Governor Greg Abbott in November.

Lieutenant Governor

Mike Collier (D) will face Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick in November. Lt. Gov. Patrick defeated his primary challenger Scott Milder with 75.9% of the vote.

Comptroller

Incumbent Glenn Hegar (R) will face Democrat Joi Chevalier (51.9%) in November.

Land Commissioner

Miguel Suazo (D) will face incumbent George P. Bush in November. Commissioner Bush (58.2%) avoided a runoff between former Land Commissioner Jerry Patterson (29.7%), Rick Range (5.3%), and Davey Edwards 6.8%).

Commissioner of Agriculture

Incumbent Sid Miller (55.8%) avoided a runoff against Jim Hogan (22.8%) and Trey Blocker (21.4%) and will face Democrat Kim Olson in November.

Railroad Commissioner

Roman McAllen (D) will face incumbent Christi Craddick (R) in November.

Judicial Races

Judge, Place 1, Court of Criminal Appeals: Sharon Keller (R) defeated David Bridges with 52.1% of the vote and will face Democrat Terri Jackson in November.

Judge, Place 8, Court of Criminal Appeals: in a race for an open seat Michelle Slaughter (52.8%) defeated Jay Brandon (30.7%) and Dib Waldrip (16.4%). There is no Democratic running.

Texas Senate

  • SD 2: incumbent Bob Hall (R-Edgewood) defeated Cindy Burkett (R-Sunnyvale) with 53.2% of the vote and will face Democrat Kendall Scudder in November. This is a solid Republican seat.
  • SD 5: Incumbent Charles Schwertner (R-Georgetown) successfully defended his seat from Harold Ramm and will face Democrat Meg Walsh in November.
  • SD 8 (open seat/Van Taylor running for Congress): Angela Paxton (R-McKinney) (54.4%) defeated Phillip Huffines (R-Plano) (45.6%) and will face Democrat Mark Phariss in November.
  • SD 10: Beverly Powell (61.6%) defeated Allison Campolo (38.4%) and will face incumbent Konni Burton (R-Colleyville) in November. This is a swing district.
  • SD 15: incumbent John Whitmire (D-Houston) easily defeated challengers Damian Lacroix and Hank Segelke with 74.9% of the vote.
  • SD 17: Incumbent Joan Huffman (R-Houston) defeated Kristin Tassin with 72.6% of the vote and will face the winner of the Democratic primary runoff Fran Watson or Rita Lucido (D-Houston) in November.
  • SD 25: incumbent Donna Campbell (R-New Braunfels) (73.7%) defeated Shannon McClendon (26.3%) and will face Democrat Steven Kling in November.
  • SD 30: Pat Fallon (R-Frisco) defeated incumbent Craig Estes (R-Wichita Falls) and fellow challenger Craig Carter with 62% of the vote. Fallon will face Democrat Kevin Lopez in November.
  • SD 31: incumbent Kel Seliger (R-Amarillo) narrowly avoided a runoff and defeated Mike Canon and Victor Leal with 50.5% of the vote.

Texas House

There are 13 open seats in the Texas House. All of these races will impact the race for Speaker to be voted on when the Texas Legislature re-convenes in January 2019. Six incumbents lost to challengers last night and two incumbents will have to continue their defense as they head into runoffs.

  • HD 2: incumbent Dan Flynn (R-Van) (51.7%) defeated Bryan Slaton (48.3%).
  • HD 4 (open seat-Lance Gooden running for Congress): Stuart Spitzer (45.8%) and Keith Bell (26.2%) are headed to a runoff out of a field of 5 Republicans.
  • HD 6: Matt Schaefer (73.3%) defeated Ted Kamel (26.7%).
  • HD 8 (open seat-Byron Cook retiring): Cody Harris (44.9%) and Thomas McNutt (39.5%) are headed to a runoff.
  • HD 9: incumbent Chris Paddie (R-Marshall) defeated Garrett Boersma with 63.9% of the vote.
  • HD 11: incumbent Travis Clardy (R-Nacogdoches) defeated Danny Ward with 66.8% of the vote.
  • HD 13 (open seat-Leighton Schubert): Republicans Jill Wolfskill (38.5%) and Ben Leman (36.2%) are headed to a runoff out of a field of 6.
  • HD 14: incumbent John Raney (R-Bryan) defeated three challengers with 57.7% of the vote and will face Democrat Josh Wilkinson in November.
  • HD 15 (open seat-Mark Keough): Republican Steve Toth (78.4%) defeated Jackie Waters and will face Democrat Lorena Perez McGill in November.
  • HD 18: incumbent Ernest Bailes (R-Shepherd) defeated Emily Cook with 59.3% of the vote.
  • HD 23: Mayes Middleton (57.1%) defeated incumbent Wayne Faircloth (R-Galveston) (42.9%) and will face Democrat Amanda Jamrok in November.
  • HD 25: incumbent Dennis Bonnen (R-Angleton) (76.8%) defeated Damon Rambo (23.2%).
  • HD 27: incumbent Ron Reynolds (D-Missouri City) (61.4%) defeated Wilvin Carter (D) (38.6%).
  • HD 31: incumbent Ryan Guillen (D-Rio Grande City) defeated challenger Ana Lisa Garza with 55.4% of the vote.
  • HD 37: incumbent Rene Oliveira (D-Brownsville) (48.4%) is headed to a runoff with Alex Dominguez (36.4%).
  • HD 41: incumbent Bobby Guerra (D-McAllen) easily defeated challenger Michael L. Pinkard, Jr. with 82.8% of the vote and will face Republican Hilda Garza DeShazo in November.
  • HD 45 (open seat-Jason Isaac running for Congress) Republican Ken Strange won outright out of a field of 5 with 54.7% of the vote, avoiding a runoff. He will face the winner of the Democratic primary runoff between Rebecca Bell-Metereau (45.4%) and Erin Zwiener (30.7%) in November.
  • HD 46: out of a field of 6 to oust incumbent Dawnna Dukes (D-Austin), Chito Vela (39.6%) and Sheryl Cole (38.2%) are headed to a runoff. 209 votes separate the two.
  • HD 47: incumbent Paul Workman defeated challengers Jay Wiley and Patty Vredevelt with 59.5% of the vote and and will face the winner of the Democratic primary runoff (Vikki Goodwin or Elaina Fowler) in November.
  • HD 52 (open seat-Larry Gonzales retired): Cynthia Flores won outright with 60.8% of the vote, defeating Christopher Ward and Jeremy Story in the Republican primary. Flores will face Democrat James Talarico in November. This is a possible swing district.
  • HD 54: incumbent Scott Cosper (R-Killeen) (44.6%) finds himself in a runoff with Brad Buckley (41.6%). 299 votes separate the two.
  • HD 55: incumbent Hugh Shine (R-Temple) defeated Brandon Hall and CJ Grisham with 60.2% of the vote.
  • HD 59: incumbent J.D. Sheffield (R-Gatesville) defeated challenger Chris Evans with 57.9% of the vote.
  • HD 60: incumbent Mike Lang (R-Granbury) defeated challengers Gregory Risse and Jim Largent with 58.3% of the vote.
  • HD 62 (open seat-Larry Phillips is running for a district judge position): Republicans Reggie Smith (45.8%) and Brent Lawson 34.3%) are headed to a runoff.
  • HD 64: incumbent Lynn Stucky (R-Sanger) defeated challenger Mark Roy with 64.3% of the vote.
  • HD 65: incumbent Ron Simmons (R-Carrollton) (83.3%) easily defeated challenger Kevin Simmons (16.7%).
  • HD 73: incumbent Kyle Biedermann (R-New Braunfels) defeated challenger Dave Campbell with 57.8% of the vote.
  • HD 75: incumbent Mary Gonzalez (D-Clint) defeated challenger MarySue Femath with 68.5% of the vote.
  • HD 87: incumbent Four Price (R-Amarillo) easily defeated challenger Drew Brassfield with 78.5% of the vote.
  • HD 88: incumbent Ken King (R-Canadian) narrowly avoided a runoff with Jason Huddleston with 50.5% of the vote.
  • HD 89 (open seat-Jodie Laubenberg retired): Candy Noble (R-Lucas) defeated John Payton with 54.2% of the vote.
  • HD 98: incumbent Giovanni Capriglione (R-Southlake) defeated challenger Armin Mizani with 62.7% of the vote.
  • HD 99: incumbent Charlie Geren (R-Fort Worth) defeated challenger Bo French with 56.8% of the vote.
  • HD 100: incumbent Eric Johnson (D-Dallas) defeated challenger Sandra Crenshaw with 70.5% of the vote.
  • HD 102: incumbent Linda Koop (R-Dallas) defeated opponents Chad Carnahan and Scott Kilgore with 72%. She will face Democrat Ana-Maria Ramos in November.
  • HD 104: Jessica Gonzalez defeated incumbent Roberto Alonzo (D-Dallas) with 62.5% of the vote.
  • HD 105: Terry Meza (D-Irving) will face incumbent Rodney Anderson (R-Grand Prairie) in November. This could be a swing district.
  • HD 106 (open seat-Pat Fallon running for Texas Senate): Jared Patterson (Frisco) defeated Clint Bedsole with 54% of the vote in the Republican primary and will face Ramona Thompson (D-Frisco) in November.
  • HD 107: Republicans Deanna Metzger (45.3%) and Joe Ruzicka (27.4%) will face incumbent Democrat Victoria Neave in November. This is a swing district.
  • HD 108: Joanna Cattanach (D) will face incumbent Republican Morgan Meyer in November. This seat is being talked about as a possible pick up for Democrats
  • HD 109 (open seat-Helen Giddings retiring): out of a field of 4, Democrats Deshaundra Jones (44.7%) and Carl Sherman (40.2%) are headed to a runoff. No Republican is running for this seat.
  • HD 113 (open seat-Cindy Burkett running for Texas Senate): Rhetta Andrews Bowers (D-Rowlett) will face Republican Jonathan Boos in November. This is a possible swing district.
  • HD 114: incumbent Jason Villalba (R-Dallas) (46.9%) was defeated by challenger Lisa Luby Ryan (53.1%). Ryan will face Democrat John Turner in November. This is a seat Democrats could pick up.
  • HD 116: incumbent Diana Arévalo (D- San Antonio) was narrowly defeated by former state representative Trey Martinez Fischer (50.6%). 115 votes separated the two Democrats.
  • HD 117: incumbent Philip Cortez (D-San Antonio) defeated challenger Terisha DeDeaux with 63.4% of the vote and will face Republican Michael Berlanga in November. This is a swing district.
  • HD 118: incumbent Tomas Uresti (D-San Antonio) (42.7%) was defeated by challenger Leo Pacheco (57.3%) and will face Republican John Lujan in the general election.
  • HD 121 (open seat-Speaker Joe Straus retiring): out of a field of 6, Republicans Matt Beebe (29.5%) and Steve Allison (26.3%) will go to a runoff. The winner will face Democrat Celina Montoya in November.
  • HD 122: incumbent Lyle Larson (R-San Antonio) defeated challenger Chris Fails with 59.5% of the vote and will face Democrat Claire Barnett in the fall, although this is a safely Republican district.
  • HD 124: incumbent Ina Minjarez (D-San Antonio) easily defeated challenger Sergio Contreras with 78.4% of the vote.
  • HD 126 (open seat-Kevin Roberts running for Congress): Republican Sam Harless defeated Gail Stanart and Kevin Fulton with 51.1%, avoiding a runoff. He faces Democrat Natali Hurtado in November.
  • HD 133: Democrats Marty Schexnayder and Sandra Moore are headed to a runoff. The winner will face incumbent Jim Murphy (R-Houston) in November.
  • HD 134: incumbent Sarah Davis (R-West University Place) defeated challenger Susanna Dokupil with 56.3% of the vote and will face Democrat Allison Lami Sawyer in November. This is a possible swing district.
  • HD 139: incumbent Jarvis Johnson (D-Houston) defeated challenger Randy Bates with 60.4% of the vote.
  • HD 142: incumbent Harold Dutton (D-Houston) (65.3%) defeated challenger Richard Bonton (34.7%).
  • HD 144: Ruben Villarreal defeated former state representative Gilbert Pena in the Republican primary with 62.1% of the vote and will face incumbent Mary Ann Perez (D-South Houston) in November. This is a swing district.
  • HD 146: incumbent Shawn Thierry (D-Houston) defeated challengers Roy Owens and Ricardo Soliz with 64.7% of the vote.
  • HD 147: incumbent Garnet Coleman (D-Houston) easily defeated challenger Daniel Espinoza with 81.2% of the vote.
  • HD 150: incumbent Valoree Swanson (R-Spring) (80.1%) defeated James Wilson (19.7%).

State Board of Education

SBOE-2: Incumbent Ruben Cortez, Jr. (D) (52.3%) defeated Michelle Arevalo Davila (47.7%) and will face Charles “Tad” Hasse (R) (67.1%) in November.

SBOE-3: Incumbent Marisa Perez (D) easily defeated her challenger Dan Arellano with 75.9% of the vote. She has no Republican opposition in November.

SBOE-4: Incumbent Lawrence Allen, Jr. prevailed with 66.9% of the vote over his challenger Steven Chambers. He has no Republican opposition in November.

SBOE-11: Carla Morton (D) will face incumbent Pat Hardy in November. Hardy defeated Republican primary challengers Cheryl Surber (20%) and Feyi Obamehinti (24.3%) with 55.8% of the vote, avoiding a runoff.

SBOE-12: open seat. Democrats Suzanne Smith (48.1%) and Laura Malone-Miller (26.3%) are headed to a runoff and the winner will face Republican Pam Little in November.