Primary day may be over, but several primary races are far from settled.
Republican voters will have another 12 weeks to hear incumbent Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst and state Sen. Dan Patrick tout their conservative records. Meanwhile, Republicans Ken Paxton and Dan Branch will continue attempts to bolster their credentials in the race for attorney general. On the Democratic side, U.S. Senate candidates David Alameel and Kesha Rogers will also extend their battle.
They are among a slew of Texas candidates — including those battling for congressional seats and other statewide offices — who will face each other in the May 27 runoff election.
As of early Wednesday, the list of runoffs was on the verge of growing. State Sen. Glenn Hegar, R-Katy, who led the race for comptroller, was on the edge of the 50 percent of votes needed to win outright and avoid a runoff, while two state House races and two State Board of Education races could also join the list.
U.S. Rep. Ralph Hall, R-Rockwall — Congress’ oldest member — outpaced his five challengers, but not by enough to avoid a runoff in what he says will be his last election. The 90-year-old will face John Ratcliffe, a former U.S. attorney and mayor of Heath.
Former U.S. Rep. Francisco “Quico” Canseco is also headed for a runoff with San Antonio native and former CIA agent Will Hurd in the battle for Congressional District 23, which spans from El Paso to Bexar counties.
And in Congressional District 36, Republicans Brian Babin and Ben Streusand will square off in the race to replace U.S. Rep. Steve Stockman, R-Friendswood.
The race for agriculture commissioner will see runoffs in both parties. On the Republican side, former state Rep. Sid Miller will face a former state House colleague, Tommy Merritt. Meanwhile, Jim Hogan, a virtually unknown dairy farmer and insurance agent, will battle musician Kinky Friedman for the Democratic nod.
The Republican race for Railroad Commission is also far from over. Former state Rep. Wayne Christian received more votes than his three opponents, but not enough to avoid a runoff. He will face Ryan Sitton, an oil and gas engineer.
In the race to replace state Sen. Wendy Davis in Senate District 10, Republican candidates Konni Burton, a Tea Party activist, and former state Rep. Mark Shelton will face each other again.
Meanwhile at least eight other House primaries — seven of them on the Republican side — ended in runoffs. Just one of those involved an incumbent. State Rep. Stefani Carter, R-Dallas, will face former Dallas City Councilwoman Linda Koop.
In Senate District 2, Sen. Bob Deuell, R-Greenville, faces a runoff with challenger Bob Hall.
Learn about The Texas Tribune’s policies, including our partnership with The Trust Project to increase transparency in news.
