As of 6 p.m., Smith Co. has counted 228 provisional and overseas ballots impacting the SD1 race. Red Brown, who finished third behind Rep. David Simpson (R-Longview) by 13 votes on Election Day, has netted 27 votes over Simpson. If this holds, it could conceivably put Brown into the runoff over Simpson.
There are 16 counties in the district, and almost all of them will have provisional ballots. Simpson fared better than Brown in many of these counties, and so provisional ballots there could boost him back into the lead.
After provisional ballots are counted, a recount is highly likely, and it could again change the results.
Either Brown or Simpson will meet Rep. Bryan Hughes (R-Mineola) in the runoff.
