The 2020 Texas Primary Mid-term Elections are now in the history books, with some incumbents remaining, others falling, and some headed into the May runoffs.
Texas is the first state to hold its primaries in 2022, and provides an early test of the political climate as Republican challengers in statewide races
Locally, Mandy Gfeller collected 51.73% of the Castro County Republican vote for County Judge, putting her above the threshold for a primary runoff. Incumbent Carrol Gerber drew 39.92% of the votes, and Marsha Cobb, 6.24%. Gfeller will be on the November ballot challenged by independent candidate Janet Sammann.
Justice of the Peace Stephen “Flip” Taylor (R) drew 43.13% of the county votes, followed by challenger Mary Ewing with 37.77%. They will be on the runoff ballot for that office in May.
Elaine Flynt (R) ran for reelection for County Treasurer, and secured her nomination unchallenged, as did Carol Lust for Republican County Chair.
There were two incumbent candidates running for County Commissioner, with Tim Elliott in Precinct 2 and Ralph Brockman in Precinct 4. Both were unchallenged and secured the Republican nomination.
On the Democratic ballot, incumbent County Clerk JoAnna Blanco and incumbent Democratic Chair Joyce Thomas were unchallenged and will be on the November ballot.
On the state level, Governor Greg Abbott (R), who is seeking a third term, claimed a spot on the November ballot, overwhelming other contenders. With 86% of the votes counted, he was the projected nominee with 66.8%/1,176,583 Texans casting their ballot for the incum bent with 85% of the votes counted. Abbott will face challenger Beto O’Rourke (R) in November general election.
Lt. Governor Dan Patrick (R) secured his nomination with 74.6%. The Democratic candidates Mike Collier, with 42%, and Michelle Beckley, with 30%, are the projected candidates for the primary runoff election in May.
Attorney General Ken Paxton (R), who is seeking a third term, is headed into the Republican primary runoff election against George P. Bush (R). Paxton pulled in around 43% percent of the vote, with Bush at 22.7%. Rochelle Garza (D), who drew 30.14%, will also be facing a runoff against Joe Jaworski at 32.88% in the Democratic primary.
U.S. Representative Jodey Arrington (R) ran unopposed in the primary and secured his spot in the general election. State Representative Ken King (R-Dist. 88) won his race with 61.17% against his opponents.
Republican candidates for State Senator, District 31, will be in the primary runoffs, with Kevin Sparks garnering 43.47% and Tim Reid, 28.74%.
The party candidates for Agriculture Commissioner each won their nominations, with incumbent Sid Miller (R) pulling in around 58% of the Republican vote and Susan Hays (D) overwhelming the Democratic field at 82.5%.
The Republican and Democratic candidates for Land Commissioner are headed for the primary runoffs. Sandragrace Martinez (D) had 32.3% and Clay Kleberg (D) had 26.2% with 94% of the votes counted. Republican Dawn Buckingham drew 41.3%, followed by Tim Westley at 14.7%.
If a candidate fails to earn most of the total vote, they will head to a runoff with the second-highest vote getter. Texas election law specifies that to avoid a runoff, a candidate must at least 50% of the vote plus one, according to the Secretary of State.
Also, it is important for voters to remember election night returns are considered unofficial and it’s only until the votes are canvassed between 10 to 20 days after the election that the results are official. That means, while in some races the margin of victory will be wide enough where a winner can be assumed, the outcomes of closer races might require more time to determine.
Election officials will also take time to count provisional ballots and overseas ballots or fix any issues with mail-in ballots.
Republican propositions were also considered by voters in the primary election. Statewide results:
Proposition 1 - 92.42% approval for the governor being authorized to defend the southern border with National Guard, Texas Military Forces and state law enforcement; enforce immigration laws and deportation.
Proposition 2 - 75.88% approval for eliminating all property taxes within 10 years without implementing a state income tax.
Proposition 3 – 88.69% approval for Texans not losing their jobs, nor students be penalized for declining a Covid-19 vaccine.
Proposition 4 – 91.33% approval for Texas schools teaching basic knowledge and American exceptionalism and reject critical race theory and other curricula promoting Marxist doctrine encouraging division based on creed, race or economic status.
Proposition 5 – 83.62% approval that Texas should enact a state constitutional amendment to defend the sanctity of innocent human life, created in the image of God, from fertilization until natural death.
Proposition 6 – 81.46% approval that the Republicancontrolled Texas Legislature should end the practice of awarding committee chairmanships to Democrats.
Proposition 7 – 95.82% approval for penalties for vote fraud and fighting any federal takeover of state elections.
Proposition 8 – 92.78% approval that Texas should ban chemical castration, puberty blockers, cross-sex hormones, and genital mutilation surgery on all minor children for sex transition purposes.
Proposition 9 – 87.83% approval for Texas parents and guardians having the right to select schools, whether public or private, for their children, and the funding follow the student.
Proposition 10 – 92.71% approval that Texans affirm that our freedoms come from God and that the government should have no control over the conscience of individuals.
Important dates for the Primary Runoff Election (must have voted in the Primary Election and must vote for the same party again):
April 7 – Last day to register to vote April 25 – First Day Early
April 25 – First Day Early Voting
May 3 – Last day early voting
May 7 – Primary Run-off election