Key Results of the 2018 Texas Primary Elections
Texas Democrats Make Strong Showing in 2018 Midterm Elections
In a surprising turn of events, Texas Democrats came out strong in the 2018 midterm elections, with voters narrowing down the fields of candidates in several congressional races. The results indicate that no candidate will secure more than 50 percent of the vote, leading to a runoff on May 22 for the top two contenders.
Democrats, who have long been shut out of conservative Texas politics, fielded candidates in all 36 of the state’s congressional races. They are eyeing key opportunities in districts like the Seventh Congressional District in Houston, the 23rd Congressional District outside San Antonio, and the 32nd Congressional District in Dallas – all districts that Hillary Clinton won in 2016.
One closely watched race is the 21st Congressional District, which runs from the area north of San Antonio up to Austin. The seat is open after Republican Rep. Lamar Smith announced his retirement.
The enthusiasm among Democratic voters was evident in the record-breaking early voting turnout, with more than 885,000 Texans casting their ballots – a 50 percent increase from the previous record set in 2014.
In the US Senate race, Democrat Rep. Beto O’Rourke, known for his progressive campaign style reminiscent of Barack Obama, is challenging incumbent Sen. Ted Cruz. O’Rourke is advocating for universal healthcare access and progressive immigration policies, contrasting with Cruz’s conservative stance.
The Texas governor’s race also saw a strong Democratic showing, with Andrew White and Lupe Valdez emerging as the top contenders to challenge incumbent Gov. Greg Abbott, who is one of the most popular governors in the country.
Overall, the Texas primary results indicate a shift in the political landscape, with Democrats making significant strides in traditionally conservative territory. As the race heads towards the general election in November, all eyes will be on Texas to see if this momentum can be sustained.
