Texas Primary Winners

For years political analysts have speculated that Texas could eventually become a battleground state. Last night’s primary results fuel that speculation, as midterms officially kicked off with the country’s first primary. Lupe Valdez, the former Dallas County Sheriff, led Andrew White, the son of the late Governor Mark White, by 16 points. The two will head to a runoff on May 22nd before the winner advances to compete against incumbent Republican Governor Greg Abbott. Senator Ted Cruz (R-TX) easily won his primary but is clearly nervous about November, as he launched a preemptive attack on his Democratic opponent, Congressman Beto O'Rourke, who carried 60% of the vote. Former Air Force intelligence officer Gina Ortiz Jones led with 41% of the vote in Texas’ 23rd district represented by Congressman Will Hurd (R-TX), who easily won his primary. It’s not yet clear who Jones will face in the May 22 runoff. But if she wins in November, she will be the first Filipino American in Congress. In the 32nd district, former NFL linebacker, Barack Obama appointee and lawyer, Colin Allred, finished first with 39% of the vote. Joining him in the May runoff will be businesswoman Lillian Salerno who took 18%. Both are hoping to unseat incumbent Congressman Pete Sessions (R-TX). Texas has never sent a Latina to Congress. That could change this year. In the Solid Democratic 16th District race, El Paso County Judge Verónica Escobar won the primary outright with 61% of the vote in her effort. On the Dem side in Texas’ 29th, State Senator Sylvia García took 63% of the vote, despite Senator Chuck Schumer’s (D-NY) endorsement of her opponent. On the GOP side, Carmen María Montiel will face Phillip Aronoff in a runoff. Get the complete recap here.