A former Trump campaign official won a fierce primary and will now represent a heavily Republican Texas congressional district.
Republican Katrina Pierson, who served as a spokeswoman for former President Donald Trump’s 2016 presidential campaign, defeated incumbent state Rep. Justin Holland in Tuesday’s runoff primary for Texas’ 33rd Congressional District, making her the presumptive winner in November’s general election with no Democratic candidate running.
Pearson had the backing of Republican Texas Gov. Greg Abbott, who sought to remove a sitting Republican who opposed some of his policy goals.
WATCH: As these two major issues come to the forefront, businessman reveals plan to flip California House seat
Republican Texas Rep. Justin Holland and Republican challenger Katrina Pierson. (Texas State Capitol, Getty Images)
Holland, who was first elected in 2016, opposed a major bill backed by Abbott that would have opened the door for Texas parents to use public funds to send their children to private or religious schools. Holland was part of a group of 21 Republicans who joined all Democrats in opposing the bill last year.
Holland has also come under scrutiny for a number of positions she has taken, including supporting a bill last year to raise the age to purchase “assault” style rifles from 18 to 21, and voting in favor of impeaching Republican Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton.
Click here to get the FOX News app
Katrina Pierson, a former national press secretary for the Trump administration, listens to a speaker at the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) on Saturday, July 10, 2021 in Dallas, Texas, USA. (Dylan Hollingsworth/Bloomberg via Getty Images)
Pearson garnered Paxton’s endorsement ahead of the March primary, while Abbott endorsed her ahead of the runoff election.
Republicans currently hold 86 of the 150 seats in the Texas House of Representatives, giving them a majority of 11 seats.
Get the latest 2024 campaign updates, exclusive interviews and more on Fox News Digital’s Election Hub.
