Though many have turned their attention to November, runoff elections still must take place to solidify which candidates will represent their respective parties on the general election ballots. Here’s a look at the state legislative candidates that will face off in May.
The winner of the Democratic primary runoff in this race will face off against Sen. Pete Flores (R-Pleasanton), whose upset win in 2018 will make Senate District 19 the only battleground senate district in November.
Democratic runoff candidate(s):
- Xochil Peña Rodriguez — 43.7%
- Roland Gutierrez — 37.3%
Sen. Eddie Lucio Jr. (D-Brownsville) is the most likely of the Democratic state senators to side with Republicans on social issues, and though he almost avoided a runoff, he will face progressive opposition in an attempt to maintain his party’s nomination.
Democratic runoff candidate(s):
- Eddie Lucio, Jr. (I) — 49.8%
- Sara Stapleton Barrera — 35.6%
Rep. Dan Flynn (R-Canton) faced two primary opponents this cycle, which resulted in him having to face Bryan Slaton, who’s run against Flynn twice before, in what promises to be a heated runoff.
Republican runoff candidate(s):
- Dan Flynn (I) — 44.5%
- Bryan Slaton — 35.2%
Five candidates sought to replace disgraced Texas House Speaker Dennis Bonnen (R-Angleton) as the state representative in House District 25, but only two, both of which are local elected officials, made the runoff.
Republican runoff candidate(s):
- Ro’vin Garrett — 28.6%
- Cody Vasut — 22.2%
After Rep. Rick Miller (R-Sugar Land) made controversial comments about the ethnicity of his primary opponents, he announced he would not run for reelection. After Tuesday’s results, runoffs in both the Democratic and Republican fields are necessary to determine which candidates will make it to November.
Democratic runoff candidate(s):
- Suleman Lalani — 31.7%
- L. Sarah DeMerchant — 29.6%
Republican runoff candidate(s):
- Matt Morgan — 49.7%
- Jacey Jetton — 40.7%
Rep. Erin Zwiener (D-Driftwood) flipped this Hill Country district from red to blue in 2018, and promises to be a contentious race in both the runoff and general elections.
Republican runoff candidate(s):
- Carrie Isaac — 47.9%
- Bud Wymore — 41.4%
The final results of who will challenge Rep. Vikki Goodwin (D-Austin) are still unknown, as two Republican candidates are nearly tied for second place and separated by only one vote.
Republican runoff candidate(s):
- Jennifer Fleck — 32.2%
- Don Zimmerman — 22.9%
- Justin Berry — 22.9%
Incumbent J.D. Sheffield (R-Gatesville) faced two viable primary opponents and ended election night 15 points behind first-place finisher Shelby Slawson.
Republican runoff candidate(s):
- Shelby Slawson — 45.7%
- J.D. Sheffield (I) — 30%
The two front-runners in this rural house district solidified their place in the runoff and will seek to replace former Texas Freedom Caucus Chairman Mike Lang (R-Granbury).
Republican runoff candidate(s):
- Jon Francis — 45.9%
- Glenn Rogers — 43.8%
The seat held by Rep. Jeff Leach (R-Plano) promises to be a hotbed of general election activity after he won reelection by just over two points.
Democratic runoff candidate(s):
- Tom Adair — 32.9%
- Lorenzo Sanchez — 27%
After Rep. Lorraine Birabil (D-Dallas) won House District 100 in a special election to fill the void left by Mayor Eric Johnson, she heads to a runoff in an attempt to maintain her seat.
Democratic runoff candidate(s):
- Lorraine Birabil (I) — 29.2%
- Jasmine Felicia Crockett — 25.9%
With Rep. Roland Gutierrez (D-San Antonio) in the runoff to secure the Senate District 19 nomination, here are the two candidates vying for his seat.
Democratic runoff candidate(s):
- Elizabeth “Liz” Campos — 46.1%
- Jennifer Ramos — 43.7%
This Harris County district will be one of the most contentious districts in the general election, considering both Rep. Dwayne Bohac’s (R-Houston) retirement and the 47 vote margin he won reelection by. The winner of the Democratic runoff will faceoff against Republican Lacey Hull.
Democratic runoff candidate(s):
- Akilah Bacy — 46.7%
- Jenifer Rene Pool — 29.3%
Amid concerns about “fake candidates” and potential legal action, longtime Rep. Harold Dutton (D-Houston) was forced into a runoff.
Democratic runoff candidate(s):
- Harold Dutton Jr. (I) — 45.2%
- Jerry Davis — 25.3%
Rep. Anna Eastman (D-Houston) won her seat in a special election earlier this year, but will have to fight to maintain her position after being successfully forced into a runoff against a former rival.
Democratic runoff candidate(s):
- Anna Eastman (I) — 41.6%
- Penny Morales Shaw — 22.1%
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McKenzie Taylor
McKenzie Taylor serves as Senior Editor and resident plate-spinner for The Texan. Previously, she worked as State Representative Kyle Biedermann’s Capitol Director during the 85th legislative session before moving to Fort Worth to manage Senator Konni Burton’s campaign. In her free time, you might find her enjoying dog memes, staring at mountains, or proctoring personality tests.
