Olcott explained that he had accepted the results when he was 752 votes behind, but changed his mind when the difference narrowed to 309.
“That development caused a flood of calls from our supporters concerned with the changing numbers,” Olcott wrote. “In order to provide our community peace, I filed a petition yesterday to formally ask for a recount of the backup paper ballots.
“While I do not expect foul play, HD 60 voters deserve to have full confidence that every legal vote was counted and the outcome was accurate. My hope is a recount will do just that.”
In the March 1 primary, Rogers took 44 percent of the vote compared to Olcott’s 36 percent, forcing the two into a runoff.
Rogers was endorsed by Gov. Greg Abbott after the runoff campaign began and by Speaker of the Texas House Dade Phelan (R-Beaumont), who donated more than a quarter-million dollars to Rogers’ campaign.
The candidates were particularly divided on issues like school choice.
Rogers criticized school vouchers, one proposal for increasing school choice, as a “slippery slope” that would undermine public education. According to an analysis by political scientist Mark P. Jones of Rice University, on a scale of the 82 Republicans in the Texas House, Rogers ranks as the 29th most liberal.
Olcott received the endorsement of Sen. Ted Cruz (R-TX), who indicated he would not support any candidate who did not support school choice. Chairman of the Republican Party of Texas Matt Rinaldi praised Olcott as an “honest man” with a “servant’s heart” and decried attacks against Olcott as “lies.”
Abbott has indicated school choice will be a hot item in the 88th session of the Texas Legislature next year.
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