State Rep. Jake Ellzey (R-Waxahachie) stunned the President Trump-endorsed Susan Wright, 53%-47%, to win the unexpired term of Wright’s late husband, former U.S. Rep. Ron Wright (R-Arlington).

Wright finished first in the May 1 special election thanks to Trump’s late endorsement and a corresponding surge in Election Day support. She and Ellzey received nearly the same number of early votes, but Wright received more than 4K more votes among Election Day voters than Ellzey.

In this round, Ellzey’s percentages of early vote and Election Day were practically identical. He received 53% of the early vote and 54% of the Election Day vote. Both candidates improved their vote totals in each of the three counties, but Ellzey claimed nearly 80% of those votes. He received 8K more votes in Tarrant Co. than during the special election and added 2K more votes in the other two counties. Wright improved by just over 2K votes in Tarrant Co. and just over 1K elsewhere.

Turnout was about 8% of registered voters, roughly half what it was for the May 1 special election.

It’s unclear at this point how much support Ellzey received from Democratic voters (37% of special election voters) versus his consolidating the supporters of the other nine Republicans in the May election (29% of the special election vote collectively).

A special election will be needed to fill Ellzey’s unexpired term in the Texas House.

SD2: Rockwall legislative aide Giadolor established a campaign committee for a potential challenge of Sen. Bob Hall (R-Edgewood), likely as a Democrat. Giadolor has worked for Sen. Royce West (D-Dallas) since 2018.

HD63 open: Highland Village resident Scott Smith established a campaign committee for a potential run for the seat being vacated by Rep. Tan Parker (R-Flower Mound). We were not able to identify Smith conclusively.

HD142: Rep. Harold Dutton (D-Houston) announced he would seek re-election to a 20th term.

CD8 open: Conroe pastor Dan McKaughan established a campaign committee for a potential run for the seat being vacated by U.S. Rep. Kevin Brady (R-The Woodlands) as a Republican. He is at least the 12th Republican to take a formal step toward entering the race.

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