Texas Runoff Elections: key races to watch

Runoff Candidates
Get ready to vote again on May 24, 2022!

The first leg of the 2022 Texas Primary is over, with some races ending in a landslide and others looking too close to call. Only two statewide races avoided a runoff by both parties and will be heading straight to the General Election in November: Beto O’Rourke and Greg Abbott for Governor and for Agriculture Commissioner, Democrat Susan Hays and Republican incumbent Sid Miller. 

Texas is one of only 10 states that hold runoff elections, required when no candidate receives a majority of votes and thus the top-two vote getters advance. 

The following results are compiled from Texas Tribune, Decision Desk HQ and the Texas Secretary of State.

The Primary Runoff Election will be held on May 24th. Update your voter registration or register to vote by April 25th to ensure you can take part. For more information, visit GoVoteTexas.org

Here are the key races to watch:

Attorney General - Democrats and Republicans

On the Democratic side, Rochelle Garza came in first and her runoff opponent is still to be determined because of a too-close-to-call race for second between Lee Merritt and Joe Jaworski. Republican incumbent Ken Paxton will face off against George P. Bush.

 

Lieutenant Governor - Democrats

In the Democratic primary for Lt. Governor, first place goes to Mike Collier (the 2018 nominee) with State Rep. Michelle Beckley coming in second. 


 

Comptroller - Democrats

Certified Public Accountant Janet Dudding, who previously ran for the Texas Legislature and is from the Bryan/College Station area, will face off against newcomer Angel Luis Vega, from Katy.

 

Railroad Commissioner - Republicans

First off, the Railroad Commission has literally nothing to do with railroads and everything to do with managing oil and gas. Republican incumbent Wayne Christian will face off against Sarah Stogner, an oil and gas attorney who made headlines by riding semi-nude on an oil pump.

Land Commissioner - Democrats and Republicans

Sandragrace Martinez landed first with only $2,000 raised compared to second place Jay Kleberg's fundraising haul of nearly $1 million. State Senator Dawn Buckingham, who polled at 4% in January, won 41% of the Republican vote. Texas’ current commissioner George P. Bush vacated to run for Attorney General. 


 

Regional runoffs to watch

To look up new maps for these districts, click here and enter the city’s name.

 

District

Region

Party

Why it matters

CD-15

South Texas: San Antonio to McAllen

D

This is an open seat and a swing district in November.

CD-28

South Texas: San Antonio to Laredo

D

Incumbent Henry Cuellar is a conservative Democrat who received 48.4% of the vote, and is in a rematch against progressive Jessica Cisneros who came in at 46.9%. This is a swing seat in November.

CD-28

South Texas: San Antonio to Laredo

R

Republican Cassy Garcia received 23.3% and will square off against Sandra Whitten who received 18.2%. This is a swing seat in November.

SD-27

South Texas: Brownsville, Harlingen, Kingsville, and parts of Corpus Christi.

D

Barely 400 votes separate Morgan LaMantia and Sara Stapleton-Barrera, who ran in 2020. This is a rare Senate swing district on the November ballot.

TX-37

South Texas: Harlingen, coastal communities

D

State Board of Education member Reuben Cortez, Jr. received 41.2% and will face Luis Villarreal, Jr. who received 38.5% of the vote. This district will be a tight general election contest.

TX-91

Tarrant County: Watauga

R

Stephanie Klick is one of the few Republicans actively supporting marijuana policy reform. She was held to 49% in the primary, and will meet David Lowe in the runoff, who got 39%. This is a red district in November. 

 

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