NEW SHERIFF’S OFFICE LEADERSHIP COMING IN LEE, WALLER COUNTIES

  

The Lee and Waller County Sheriff’s Offices are set to have new leadership in the near future, following the conclusion of the Republican Primary Runoff elections Tuesday night.

In Lee County, retired DPS Major Casey Goetz defeated Fayette County Sheriff’s Detective Garrett Durrenberger with 1,503 votes, compared to Durrenberger’s 1,064.  Goetz, who will not have opposition in November, will succeed current Sheriff Rodney Meyer, who is not seeking re-election after holding the office since January 2009.

Meanwhile, in Waller County, incumbent Sheriff R. Glenn Smith lost to challenger Troy Guidry, who had 1,895 votes to Smith’s 1,479.  Guidry, a trainer and instructor for the K9 and Mounted Patrol Divisions of the Harris County Sheriff’s Office, will face Democrat Cedric D. Watson in November’s general election.

In statewide races, Mike Siegel secured the Democratic nomination for the 10^th Congressional District race in November against incumbent Michael McCaul, defeating Pritesh Gandhi 26,162 to 22,015.  Siegel won out with Washington County voters against Gandhi by a total of 571 to 366.

In the U.S. Senator Democratic Primary, Mary “MJ” Hegar defeated Royce West by a tally of 498,180 to 457,555.  Hegar will now go on to face Republican incumbent John Cornyn in the fall.  In Washington County, Hegar defeated West 576 to 357.

For Texas Railroad Commissioner, Chrysta Castañeda secured 575,460 votes en route to a victory against Roberto “Beto” Alonzo, who received 353,399 votes.  Castañeda, a Democrat, will go up against Republican Jim Wright in November.  Voters in Washington County voted 502 to 412 for Castañeda.

In Court of Appeals races, Tamika “Tami” Craft defeated Cheri Thomas with 119,007 votes to Thomas’ 81,365 in the Democratic Primary for the 14^th Court of Appeals District, Place 7.  However, Thomas was the candidate of choice in Washington County, receiving 475 votes to Craft’s 436.

In the Republican Primary for the 1^st Court of Appeals District, Place 5, Terry Adams received 88,827 votes to James Lombardino’s 39,603.  Adams’ victory margin was similar in Washington County: Adams received 789 votes to Lombardino’s 182.

Out of 23,317 registered voters in Washington County, 1,923 voters—8.25 percent—cast ballots in the runoffs.  The unofficial tally was made up of 979 Republicans and 944 Democrats.  Election results will be considered official when both parties canvass their election returns.