Texas’ highly anticipated primary runoff elections are sure to make waves on Tuesday as Gov. Greg Abbott (R) and Attorney General Ken Paxton (R) look to finally put an end to the political careers of a select group of vulnerable Republicans who have wronged them over the past year.
Abbott is targeting Republican incumbents who voted against his signature policy, education vouchers, while Paxton is targeting Republicans who voted to impeach him.
Mr Abbott and Mr Paxton, along with Lt. Governor Dan Patrick (R), targeted 16 Republican lawmakers who have been colluding with their opponents over the past few weeks, funneling money to their campaigns against them.
Party leaders needed to flip six of the state’s 16 seats to swing the state legislative ticket in their favor. They nearly succeeded in the first round, with five seats flipping in Tuesday’s runoff elections and four more at risk.
One of the most closely watched races in Tuesday’s runoff election is in the 21st District, where House Speaker Dade Phelan (R) is facing off against challenger David Covey, who is supported by Paxton, Patrick and former President Trump.
Phelan led the impeachment effort against Paxton and has tried to block Patrick’s allies from gaining control of the House as well as the Senate. He did not vote against Abbott’s voucher program, and Abbott did not publicly endorse the race.
After it became clear the March 5 primary would head to a runoff, Phelan described his fight with Covey as “a battle for the soul of our district.”
“This runoff election is more than just a campaign contest — it is the front lines in a battle for the soul of our district,” he said in a statement. “While my opponents hide behind empty rhetoric, insincere ads and mouthpieces, I stand before voters with a clear record of service and conservative success.”
The primary was the most expensive House election in state history, costing $5.7 million. CBS News reported.Citing Ad Impact Politics.
In all, Phelan and seven other House Republican incumbents are in Tuesday’s runoff election.
In the 1st District, Paxton and Abbott both targeted incumbent Republican Gary Vandiver, who voted for impeachment and against vouchers, but Abbott’s choice of challenger, Chris Spencer, advanced to a runoff election where he will face Vandiver on Tuesday.
In the 33rd District, incumbent Justin Holland will face off against Katrina Pierson, a former national spokeswoman for Trump’s 2016 campaign who was endorsed by Paxton. Holland voted for impeachment and against vouchers.
In the 44th District, incumbent John Kuempel will face off in Tuesday’s runoff election against challenger Alan Schoolcraft, who is backed by both Abbott and Paxton and voted in favor of impeachment and against vouchers.
In the 58th District, incumbent DeWayne Barnes will face off against challenger Helen Kerwin, who has been endorsed by both Paxton and Abbott. Barnes voted in favor of impeachment and against vouchers.
In the 61st District, incumbent Frederick Fraser will face off against Keretha Richardson, one of two candidates endorsed by Paxton. Fraser voted in favor of impeachment.
In the 64th District, incumbent Lynn Stuckey, who voted in favor of impeaching Paxton but did not run against Abbott on the voucher issue, will face Paxton-backed challenger Andy Hopper, who supported Stuckey in the election.
In the 91st District, incumbent Stephanie Click faces off against Paxton-backed challenger David Rowe. Click supported impeachment but did not oppose vouchers. Abbott endorsed Click.
At the federal level, several high-profile elections are heading to runoff elections on Tuesday.
The election to replace Republican Rep. Kay Granger, who is not seeking reelection, will see a runoff election in the 12th Congressional District on Tuesday, pitting Craig Goldman against John O’Shea.
Incumbent Rep. Tony Gonzalez (Republican) is facing off against Brandon Herrera in the 23rd Congressional District. Gonzalez represents a border district and has worked across party lines on border security and gun control bills. He has been criticized by the state Republican Party for his moderate stance.
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