TREY WHARTON WINS RUNOFF FOR HOUSE DISTRICT 12, ADVANCES TO GENERAL ELECTION

  

The stage is set for the November general election after Tuesday night’s primary runoff.

Among the most notable races was for the Texas House District 12 seat, sought by Republicans Trey Wharton and Ben Bius.  Wharton secured the Republican nomination after tallying 10,127 votes to Bius’ 3,860, or 72.4 percent of the vote.  Wharton won all six counties in the district.

Wharton was thrilled with the voting turnout for this runoff election and said it was driven by a “true grassroots, full-team effort” of family, friends and supporters.

Wharton will now face Democrat Dee Howard Mullins and Libertarian Robert Profili in November.  The election is to fill the seat of Republican Kyle Kacal, who did not run for another term.

Bius congratulated Wharton on the victory and said he wishes for his success.  Bius is optimistic that his message resonated with voters heading into the fall election and the next legislative session.

When asked if he would consider another potential run should an opportunity arise, Bius said that at his age, combined with his desire to tend to his business and be with family, he feels “it’s time for the younger people.”

Elsewhere, Tom Maynard defended his position with the State Board of Education District 10 against challenger Mary Bone.  The two Republicans were in a close race, but Maynard emerged victorious with 24,622 votes, while Bone had 22,891.  Of the 27 counties in the district, Maynard won 21 of them.

Maynard will proceed to the November election, where he will face Democrat Raquel Saenz Ortiz, Daniel Caldwell of the Green Party and Libertarian Gerald McAlexander.

For the 14^th Court of Appeals District, Place 3, Democratic challenger Velda Renita Faulker unseated incumbent Jerry Zimmerer by a margin of 30,893 – 21,854.  Faulkner claimed eight of the 10 counties in the district, with one of the two remaining counties – Colorado County – resulting in a tie. 

Faulkner will go up against Republican Chad Bridges in November. 

A total of 3,001 ballots were cast in the primary runoff in Washington County, including 1,942 during early voting, 889 on Election Day and 170 absentee ballots.  There are 25,062 registered voters in Washington County, so the voter turnout in this election was 11.97 percent. 

In area races, Gary Bender defeated Courtney Armstead 469-355 for Grimes County Precinct 3 Constable.  Incumbent Wes Male was defeated during the March primary.  Bender, a Republican, will not have a Democratic opponent in November’s election. 

Waller County had two races on the runoff ballot.  For Tax Assessor-Collector, Carolyn Miedke received 587 votes to Jessica Weaver Holloman’s 387.  Ellen Shelburne did not run for re-election.  Miedke wins the Republican nomination and will face Democrat Rebecca Richard in November.

Meanwhile, for Waller County Precinct 3 Commissioner, Democratic incumbent Kendric Jones bested Carla Richardson Foster 83-69.  Jones will go on to face Republican Brent Davis this fall. 

Colorado County also featured two races, one for Tax Assessor-Collector and the other for Precinct 3 Justice of the Peace.  Both winners on the Republican ticket will not face Democratic opposition come November.

For Colorado County Tax Assessor-Collector, challenger Melinda Zajicek defeated incumbent Erica Kollaja 1,016-585. 

The Colorado County Precinct 3 Justice of the Peace race ended with incumbent Donald Clark defending his seat, winning against Bennie Zajicek 511-303.

For Brazos County Precinct 1 Commissioner, Bentley Nettles collected 1,442 votes to incumbent Steve Aldrich’s 985.  Nettles secures the Republican nomination and advances to November.  Democratic candidate Maria McCain Shelton ended her campaign in March, but Nettles is still expected to face Libertarian Scott Haynes.