Editor’s note: This story has been updated throughout.
Two new Republicans are poised to claim seats in the Texas Senate: Travis County eye surgeon Dawn Buckingham and state Rep.ย Bryan Hughes, R-Mineola.
On Tuesday, Buckingham won the Republicanย runoff for the outgoing seat of state Sen. Troy Fraser, R-Horseshoe Bay, in Senate District 24.ย Buckingham finished the night with 26,413 votes, 61 percent of the total count, according to complete but unofficial returns. Thatโs compared to 16,645 votes, or 39 percent, who backedย state Rep.ย Susan King, R-Abilene.
Buckingham will face Democratย Jennie Lou Leeder in the Nov. 8 general election. The rural-suburban hybrid districtย spans roughly 20,000 square miles, from the northwest suburbs of Austin up to Abilene, and is considered safely Republican.
“It has been an honor traveling across the most beautiful part of Texas and meeting so many fantastic people,” Buckingham said in a prepared statement. “I look forward to being the conservative voice at the Capitol!”ย
In another highly anticipated Republican Senate primary, Hughesย on Tuesday won theย runoff for Senate District 1, all but guaranteeing he will win the seat of outgoing state Sen. Kevin Eltife, R-Tyler, in the Texas Senate.
Hughes ended his night earning 27,348, 69 percent of the total count. Thatโs compared to 12,105 votes, or 31 percent, forย his opponent, state Rep.ย David Simpson, R-Longview.
Hughes will not face a Democratic opponent in November’s general election.
In the low-turnout election, Hughes and Buckingham both coasted to double-digit victories after running campaigns to the right of their opponents.
Hughes scored a late endorsement from U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz in addition to previous endorsements from some ofย the state’s top Republican leaders, includingย Lt. Gov.ย Dan Patrick, Attorney Generalย Ken Paxtonย and former Gov.ย Rick Perry.
Buckingham also claimed an endorsement from Perry, in addition to nods from Tea Party stalwart and state Rep. Jonathan Stickland, R-Bedford, and fellow doctor and state Sen. Charles Schwertner, R-Georgetown.
Julian Aguilar contributed to this report.


