Two runoffs will take place on May 26 as voters sort out who will be advancing in the race to replace U.S. Rep. Mac Thornberry (R-Clarendon).
First, on the Republican side, Josh Winegarner and Ronny Jackson punched their tickets to the runoff on Tuesday, winning 38 percent and 20 percent, respectively. Wichita Falls businessman Chris Ekstrom placed third in the primary, winning 15 percent. Amarillo City Councilwoman Elaine Hays and railroad conductor Vance Snider rounded out the top five, winning 8 percent and 3 percent, respectively. Overall, a little over 100,000 votes were cast in the contest.
Jackson’s spot in the runoff was certainly aided by a last minute voter drive push from President Donald Trump on behalf of the retired physician and rear admiral.
Following the results of the election, Snider and Republican candidate Monique Worthy endorsed Jackson in the runoff.
On the Democratic side, voters also advanced two contenders to a May runoff. Gus Trujillo and Greg Sagan, both of Amarillo, will meet in the runoff after edging out Timothy W. Gassaway in the first round of voting. Trujillo’s 42 percent was not enough to avoid a runoff with Sagan, who picked up 35 percent of the vote.
The winners of both primaries will likely face Libertarian Jack B. Westbrook in November.