Several GOP nominations for open seats in the Texas House and Senate were decided in Tuesday’s Primary Election, setting the Republican lineup for November’s legislative battles.
In the Texas House races, a few stood out as grassroots wins.
As incumbent State Rep. Tony Tinderholt seeks a Tarrant County commissioner seat, Cheryl Bean won a five-way race for the GOP nomination in House District 94 with 53 percent of the vote. A staunch opponent of casinos, Bean triumphed over casino gambling PAC-backed Jackie Schlegel. Schlegel came in a distant second to Bean, with around 25 percent of the vote. Susan Valliant, Michael Ingraham, and Michael Daughenbaugh all received less than 10 percent of the vote each.
Armin Mizani secured the GOP nomination for the House District 98 seat left open by State Rep. Giovanni Capriglione. Mizani won around 53 percent of the vote, compared to Fred Tate’s 43 percent and Zdenka Wilcox’s three percent. Lobbying organization Texans for Lawsuit Reform spent millions on behalf of Tate, while Mizani had endorsements from True Texas Project, Texas Gun Rights, Texas Family Project, and Texas Right to life, along with a slew of local activists and elected officials.
Former member of the State Republican Executive Committee Scott Bowen secured the GOP nomination for the House District 129 seat that State Rep. Dennis Paul is leaving for a state senate seat. Bowen won more than 70 percent of the vote compared to Bob Mitchell’s 28 percent.
Additional open seats in the Texas House will be sought by the following Republicans:
- Chris Spencer, who won the GOP nomination for the House District 1 seat that State Rep. Gary VanDeaver is leaving.
- Brad Bailey, who ran unopposed for the GOP nomination for the House District 2 seat left available as State Rep. Steve Toth seeks a congressional seat.
- Rocky Thigpen, who secured the GOP nomination for the House District 9 seat left available by State Rep. Trent Ashby as he seeks a seat in the Senate.
- Ray Callas, who also ran unopposed for the GOP nomination in House District 21 as State Rep. Dade Phelan did not seek another term.
- Jay Hardaway, who secured the GOP nomination for the House District 71 seat left open by retiring State Rep. Stan Lambert.
- Holly Jeffreys, who won the GOP nomination for the House District 86 seat left open by retiring State Rep. John Smithee.
- Alan Blaylock, who secured the GOP nomination for the House District 93 seat left open by State Rep. Nate Schatzline upon his announcement of not running for re-election.
- Ellen Fleischmann, who ran unopposed for the GOP nomination for the House District 96 seat left open by State Rep. David Cook as he seeks a state senate seat.
- Jorge Borrego, who won the GOP nomination for the House District 118 seat left open by State Rep. John Lujan as he campaigns for a congressional seat.
- Tom Butler, who ran unopposed for the GOP nomination for the House District 128 seat left open by State Rep. Briscoe Cain following his congressional bid.
Meanwhile, Stan Stanart and Kelly Peterson will head to a May runoff over the House District 126 seat, which was left open by State Rep. Sam Harless.
Two others—Kristen Plaisance and Dennis Geesaman—have ousted incumbent Republican State Reps. Cecil Bell and Stan Kitzman for the nomination in House Districts 3 and 85 respectively.
Five open seats in the Texas Senate will be sought by the following Republican nominees:
- State Rep. Trent Ashby won the GOP nomination for the Senate District 3 seat, as State Sen. Robert Nichols is retiring.
- Brett Ligon secured the GOP nomination for the Senate District 4 seat, which was left vacant by Brandon Creighton after he was appointed chancellor of the Texas Tech University System.
- Leigh Wambsganss ran unopposed for the GOP nomination for the Senate District 9 seat, which was left vacant after Kelly Hancock was appointed acting comptroller by Gov. Greg Abbott.
- State Rep. Dennis Paul also ran unopposed for the GOP nomination for the Senate District 11 seat, which State Sen. Mayes Middleton is leaving as he seeks the GOP nomination for Texas attorney general.
- State Rep. David Cook secured the GOP nomination for the Senate District 22 seat, which State Sen. Brian Birdwell is leaving for a post in the Trump administration.
Each of the Republican nominees will face off with their respective Democrat opponents in the November General Election slated for November 3.
