AUSTIN, Texas — Texas primary voters have made their decisions, and the winners are putting their focus on the campaign ahead.
But some Central Texas races are headed for a runoff in May. The leading two candidates in races where nobody managed to get 50% plus one vote in Tuesday’s primaries will face off again to decide the nominee for November.
In Central Texas, at least three races will be going to a runoff, including:
- U.S. House District 31 and 35
- Texas Board of Education District 10
On the Republican side, U.S. House District 31 incumbent John Carter won Tuesday’s primary with 65% of the vote. But on the Democratic side, leading candidate Stuart Whitlow, who got 48% of the vote, will face either Brian Walbridge or Rick Von Pfeil in a runoff election. Walbridge and Von Pfeil each got 26% of the vote and, as of Wednesday afternoon, were just 18 votes apart with 99% of precincts reporting. District 31 includes Georgetown and parts of Round Rock, as well as Burnet County.
RELATED: How House GOP challengers backed by Gov. Greg Abbott, AG Ken Paxton fared in primary election
In the Republican race for U.S. House District 35, five candidates are vying for the chance to take on Congressman Greg Casar in November. Leading candidates Michael Rodriguez and Steven Wright, who got 27% and 25% of the vote, respectively, are headed for a runoff in May.
But whoever wins the runoff faces uphill chances in November. The district, which includes Austin, is +21 Democratic according to the Cook Partisan Voting Index.
The Republican race for Texas Board of Education District 10 will also be going to a runoff. The district includes an area from Round Rock up to north of Temple, as well as areas west and east of Austin, including Fredericksburg and La Grange.
Incumbent Tom Maynard, who got 49% of the vote, will face Mary Bone, who got 40% of the vote, in the runoff.