(The Center Square) – With newly redrawn districts, several key races are heading to runoff elections after Tuesday’s midterm elections. Others are too close to call. Two incumbent Republicans faced major upsets, including one ousted from office.
Seventeen Republican and seven Democratic incumbents easily won their primary races. Two out of six open seats vacated by outgoing Republicans are likely heading to runoffs.
Major upsets
One of the biggest upsets of the night was the ousting of incumbent U.S. Rep. Dan Crenshaw, a Republican who was first elected in 2018 to CD 2 in the Houston area.
State Rep. Steve Toth, considered one of the most conservative members of the Texas legislature, defeated Crenshaw by a vote of 56% to 40%, according to unofficial results from the Texas Secretary of State’s Office.
Crenshaw increasingly alienated constituents after calling Americans traitors who disagreed with him, talking down to those who described the border crisis as an invasion, including 55 county leaders, and riled constituents with profanity-laced tirades on social media and in public remarks. He also faced increasing scrutiny over allegations of insider trading, which he and other members of Congress who profited millions of dollars from the stock market, deny. Toth, who once supported Crenshaw, said he felt compelled to run because Crenshaw no longer represented his constituents.
In CD 23, U.S. Rep. Tony Gonzales, a Republican representing the largest border district, heads to runoff election with Second Amendment advocate Brandon Herrerra. Herrerra received 43.33% of the vote; Gonzalez 41.72%; two other candidates received a combined 15%, according to unofficial results. Gonzales refused to resign after constituents and members of Congress demanded he do so after his alleged affair with a now dead staffer. A House Ethics Committee report is forthcoming, The Center Square reported.
Republican runoff elections in Republican strongholds
In newly redistricted CD 9, failed Harris County judge candidate Alex Mealer is heading to a runoff with state Rep. Briscoe Cain. Mealer was endorsed by President Donald Trump at the last minute after early voting ended. Gov. Greg Abbott has endorsed Cain. Mealer has no elected political experience. Cain has served in the state legislature for several years and has a strong conservative record.
Two of six open seats likely heading to runoff election
In CD 8, vacated by outgoing U.S. Rep. Morgan Luttrell, Republican Jessica Steinmann won in a crowded race and will face Democrat Laura Jones in November.
In CD 10, vacated by U.S. Rep. McCaul, Republican Chris Gober won and will face Democrat Caitlin Rourk in November.
In CD 19, vacated by U.S. Rep. Jodey Arrington, Republicans Tom Sell and Abraham Enriquez are heading to a runoff election. Whoever wins will face Democrat Kyle Rable.
In CD 21, vacated by U.S. Rep. Chip Roy, who is heading to a runoff election for attorney general, former professional baseball player Mark Teixeira defeated 11 candidates, winning more than 60% of the vote. Democrat Kristin Hook also defeated her two challengers.
In CD 22, vacated by U.S. Rep. Troy Nehls, his identical twin brother, Trever Nehls won his primary race. Democrat Marquette Greene-Scott also defeated four challengers.
In CD 38, vacated by U.S. Rep. Wesley Hunt who lost his U.S. Senate bid Tuesday, Republicans Jon Bonck and Shelly deZevallos are likely heading to a runoff election. Bonck had nearly 47% of the vote with 86% of votes in as of Wednesday morning.
Seventeen Republican incumbents won their primaries
Seventeen Republican incumbents won their primary races: U.S. Reps. Nathaniel Moran (CD 1), Keith Self (CD 3), Pat Fallon (CD 4), Lance Gooden (CD 5), Jake Ellzey (CD 6), August Pfluger (CD 11), Craig Goldman (CD 12), Ronny Jackson (CD 13), Randy Weber (CD 14), Monica De La Cruz (CD 15), Pete Sessions (CD 17), Beth Van Duyne (CD 24), Roger Williams (CD 25), Brandon Gill (CD 26), Michael Cloud (CD 27) and Brian Babin (CD 36).
In CD 31, U.S. Rep. John Carter staved off nine challengers, including a Colombian Youtuber from New York, winning reelection by nearly 58% of the vote.
Seven Democrat incumbents won their primaries
Seven Democratic incumbents won their primary races: U.S. Reps. Lizzie Fletcher (CD 7), Veronica Escobar (CD 16), Joaquin Castro (CD 20), Henry Cuellar (CD 28), Sylvia Garcia (CD 29), Vicente Gonzalez (CD 34) and Greg Casar (CD 37).
Multiple runoff elections
One key Democratic race likely heading to a runoff election that hasn’t yet been called is in the Democratic stronghold of Houston in CD 18. Longtime Democratic congressman Al Green is facing Christian Menefee who won a special election for the seat vacated by former U.S. Rep. Sylvester Turner after he died. After redistricting, Green ran in the new CD 18 and didn’t receive 50% of the vote. Menefee is ahead by two points as of Wednesday morning.
Democrats running in Republican strongholds are likely heading to runoff elections in congressional districts 1, 5, 14, 17, 24, 33 and 35. Republicans are likely heading to runoff elections in districts 7, 9, 16, 30, 32, 33, 35, 37 and 38.
In newly redistricted CD 32 in the northeastern suburbs of Dallas, a once Democratic district and now solidly conservative district, is considered to flip in November. Republican Jace Yarbrough had 49% of the vote; Ryan Binkley 21.7% as of Wednesday morning. Whoever wins will face Democrat Dan Barrios in November.
In CD 38 and other districts, only 87% of the votes were in as of Wednesday morning.
