Political analysts faced unexpected outcomes on Tuesday night as low Democratic turnout and internal strife within the GOP led to surprising results across various races.
Starting from the top of the ballot, President Joe Biden and former President Donald Trump secured victories in their respective primaries in Texas. The similarity in the vote count between Trump and Biden in Bexar County underscored the lackluster Democratic turnout compared to the more spirited contests within the GOP.
In the U.S. Senate primaries, Congressman Colin Allred emerged victorious over state Senator Roland Gutierrez on the Democratic side, while Senator Ted Cruz secured the GOP nomination.
In the competitive Congressional District 23, incumbent Tony Gonzales was forced into a runoff after falling short of the 50% threshold. He will face Brandon Herrera in the upcoming runoff.
State Representative Steve Allison faced defeat in Texas House District 121, losing to Marc LaHood, who received backing from Governor Greg Abbott following Allison’s opposition to school vouchers. The loss was met with criticism from Allison, who expressed concern about the future of representation in the state.
Similarly, in Texas House District 44, Republican incumbent John Kuempel is headed to a runoff against Alan Schoolcraft after being targeted by Governor Abbott over his vote against school vouchers.
Former Uvalde Mayor Don McLaughlin Jr. secured the GOP nomination in Texas House District 80, while a runoff is expected between Cecilia Castellano and Rosie Cuellar on the Democratic side.
In Texas House District 19, state Representative Ellen Troxclair narrowly avoided a runoff against former state Representative Kyle Biedermann. Troxclair, supported by Governor Abbott, will face Dwain Handley in the general election.
Javier Salazar dominated the Democratic primary for Bexar County Sheriff, while Nathan Buchanan likely avoided a runoff on the Republican side.
In local races, Precinct 1 Bexar County Commissioner Rebeca Clay-Flores will face Amanda Gonzalez in a runoff, while Precinct 3 Commissioner Grant Moody narrowly defeated his GOP challenger Chris Schuchardt.
Additionally, Sheriff Ruben Nolasco and Uvalde County Constable Emmanuel Zamora, implicated in a Justice Department report on a school shooting response, won their respective Republican primaries for reelection.
Governor Abbott celebrated the outcomes in races where he targeted GOP incumbents who opposed school vouchers, emphasizing the importance of education freedom for Texas families.
The runoff election is scheduled for May 28, where further determinations will be made in these closely contested races.