However, the Democratic primary for HD 22, anchored in Port Arthur, is still not decided.
State Rep. Joe Deshotel (D-Port Arthur) announced his retirement from the Texas House in November after having represented the area for 23 years. Independent political scientists at Rice University ranked Deshotel the 16th most conservative Democrat in the state House.
Three candidates entered the Democratic primary to succeed him. The March 1 results were lopsided: the top two candidates, Joseph Paul Trahan and Christian “Manuel” Hayes, together took over 90 percent of the vote.
But since neither Trahan nor Hayes won a majority, the race went to a runoff election on May 24 that remains undecided.
According to unofficial results, Hayes is currently 122 votes ahead.
Deshotel endorsed Hayes, who worked as his chief of staff for 17 years. Hayes also boasts the endorsements of 13 other state representatives.
Meanwhile, Trahan, who formerly chaired the Jefferson County Democratic Party, has the support of U.S. Reps. Al Green (D-TX-9) and Sheila Jackson Lee (D-TX-18). His major endorsements also include the American Federation of Teachers and newspaper The Beaumont Enterprise.
Both candidates prioritized education on the campaign trail.
###
Disclosure: Unlike almost every other media outlet, The Texan is not beholden to any special interests, does not apply for any type of state or federal funding, and relies exclusively on its readers for financial support. If you’d like to become one of the people we’re financially accountable to, click here to subscribe.
