Runoff Roundup: Meet the Candidates Headed to the May 22 Runoff Election

Texas' Democratic and Republican primaries started off with a bang, with turnout significantly higher during early voting and crushing totals from the last midterm primary election in 2014. But voters aren't finished yet. When a candidate doesn't receive 50 percent of the vote plus one, the race goes to a runoff election, which will be held May 22. In North Texas, 12 races are headed to runoffs.GovernorFormer Dallas County Sheriff Lupe Valdez will meet Houston investor Andrew White in the runoff for the Democratic nomination for governor. Valdez had nearly 43 percent of the vote to White's 27 percent. The winner will face Gov. Greg Abbott, a popular incumbent who had more than $41 million in his campaign war chest as of last month. Congressional District 3Democrat Lorie Burch won 49.6 percent of the vote, not enough to avoid a runoff against Sam Johnson. There's trying to fill the Collin County seat held by the longtime Republican with the same name — retiring Plano Rep. Sam Johnson.Congressional District 5Dallas Rep. Jeb Hensarling endorsed his former campaign manager, Republican Bunni Pounds, to succeed him in District 5. She'll meet the top vote-getter, state Rep. Lance Gooden of Terrell, who ran well in the rural part of the district.Congressional District 6Both parties' primaries are headed to runoffs to fill the seat vacated by Ennis Rep. Joe Barton: Democrats Jana Lynne Sanchez and Ruby Faye Woolridge and Republicans Ron Wright and Jake Ellzey.Congressional District 32In one of the most closely watched races to challenge Dallas Rep. Pete Sessions, civil rights attorney Colin Allred emerged from a crowded Democratic field to take 40 percent of the vote. The race for second place was close, with former Agriculture Department appointee Lillian Salerno edging former television reporter Brett Shipp and former State Department official Ed Meier.Texas House District 107 Republicans Deanna Metzger and Joe Ruzicka are in a runoff to challenge Dallas Democrat Victoria Neave, who took over the district from a Republican in 2016.Texas House District 109Democrats Carl Sherman and Deshaundra Jones will face off to fill the seat occupied by Dallas Rep. Helen Giddings. The winner will not have a GOP opponent in the general election.Dallas County commissioners' courtDallas attorney J.J. Koch and former state District Judge Vickers "Vic" Cunningham are in a runoff for the Republican nomination for northern Dallas County's Precinct 2Dallas County Democratic judgesMartin Hoffman, who presides over the 68th District Court, and attorney Kim Brown will meet in a runoff. In the 193rd District Court, state District Judge Carl Ginsburg is in a runoff with attorney Bridgett Whitmore. County Court at Law Judge Ken Tapscott is in a runoff with attorney Paula Rosales, who was ahead but did not have a majority over her three opponents. In court No. 2 of the Criminal Court of Appeals, attorneys Pamela Luther and Marilynn Mayse will square off. There are no GOP challengers.  Continue reading...