In a unique election, local Republican Party officials chose State Sen. Pat Fallon of Prosper to be their nominee for the 4th Congressional District in Northeast Texas.
Former U.S. Rep. John Ratcliffe vacated the seat when the U.S. Senate confirmed him to be the new Director of National Intelligence in May, after the state’s primary elections. Republican Party precinct chairs and county chairs then convened a “Congressional District Executive Committee” in Sulphur Springs on August 8 to pick their new nominee.
Twelve candidates were nominated by the committee. After one round of voting with 145 votes cast, Fallon won the nomination with 82 votes.
“I didn’t get 82 votes, I have 82 friends,” Fallon told the audience after winning.
Ahead of the committee’s vote, Fallon touted an endorsement from U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz and his record in the state legislature, claiming he had one of the most conservative voting records in the Texas Senate. “Don’t believe what we say,” he said, speaking about himself and the other candidates vying for their vote. “Look at what we’ve done.”
Republican Party of Texas Chairman Allen West congratulated Fallon on the win, saying, “I have no doubt he will represent his fellow Texans well on Capitol Hill.”
Fallon now goes on to face Democrat nominee Russell Foster and Libertarian nominee Lou Antonelli in the November 3 general election, which he is expected to win in the strongly Republican district.
“As hard as you’ve seen me work the last three months, you ain’t seen nothing yet,” Fallon promised.
Fallon’s move to D.C. opens up his current seat in the Texas Senate, which will be filled by a special election on a date yet to be determined.
