Incumbents did not fare well on Election Night. The record number of Republican incumbents to lose was seven in 2012 and 2014. Tuesday evening was a historic night with nine sitting State Representatives losing and eight heading to a runoff including Speaker Phelan. Phelan is the first House speaker in 52 years to be forced into a primary runoff, where he will face Paxton-backed challenger David Covey.
It is important to note on average, incumbents lose to their challengers in runoffs 66% of the time. Below is the summary of runoff races:
Texas House Republican Primary Runoff Elections (8 incumbents and 4 open seats, 12 total)
House District 1: Rep. Gary VanDeaver – 45.5% vs. Chris Spencer – 43.1%
House District 12: Trey Wharton – 35% Ben Bius – 32.7% (To replace Rep. Kyle Kacal)
House District 21: David Covey – 46.3% vs. Speaker Dade Phelan – 43.2%
House District 29: Jeffrey Barry – 48.4% vs. Alex Kamkar – 44.1% (To replace Rep. Ed Thompson)
House District 30: Jeff Bauknight – 42.1% vs. AJ Louderback – 40.5% (To replace Rep. Geanie Morrison)
House District 33: Katrina Pierson – 39.4% vs. Rep. Justin Holland – 38.8%
House District 44: Alan Schoolcraft – 48.1% vs. Rep. John Kuempel – 45%
House District 58: Helen Kerwin – 48.9% vs. Rep. DeWayne Burns – 41.2%
House District 61: Keresa Richardson – 39.8% vs. Rep. Frederick Frazier – 32.1%
House District 64: Andy Hopper – 46.7% vs. Rep. Lynn Stucky – 43.3%
House District 91: Rep. Stephanie Klick – 48.1% vs. David Lowe – 46.1%
House District 97: Cheryl Bean – 49.6% vs. John McQueeney – 29.7% (To replace Rep. Craig Goldman)
Texas House Democrat Primary Runoff Elections (1 incumbent and 5 open seats, 6 total)
House District 37: Ruben Cortez – 32.5% vs. Jonathan Gracia – 25.4% (To challenge Republican Rep. Janie Lopez)
House District 77: Vince Perez – 38% vs. Norma Chavez – 32.2% (To replace Rep. Lina Ortega)
House District 80: Cecila Castellano – 27.1% vs. Rosie Cuellar – 25.5% (To replace Rep. Tracy King)
House District 97: Diane Symons – 44.2% vs. Carlos Walker – 34.5% (To replace Rep. Craig Goldman)
House District 139: Angie Thibodeaux – 33.4% vs. Charlene Ward Johnson 24% (To replace Rep. Jarvis Johnson)
House District 146: Lauren Ashley Simmons – 49.5% vs. Rep. Shawn Thierry – 44.4%
Texas Senate Republican Primary Runoff Election (1 open seat)
Senate District 30: Brent Hagenbuch – 36.4% vs. Jace Yarbrough – 33.9% (To replace Sen. Drew Springer)
Texas Senate Democrat Primary Runoff Elections (2 open seats)
Senate District 15: Jarvis D. Johnson – 36.1% vs. Molly Cook – 20.6% (To replace Sen. John Whitmire)
Senate District 30: Michael Braxton – 37.7% vs. Dale Frey – 33% (To replace Sen. Drew Springer)
Important Primary Runoff Election Dates
Primary Runoff Early Voting: May 20-24 (Monday through Friday)
Primary Runoff Election Day: Tuesday, May 28