Hays County Votes

By Kaitlyn Benaquisto and Aaron J. Derton
News Reporter and News Director

Results for the Texas primary elections are in. Former San Marcos mayoral candidate Ruben Becerra won the Democratic primary for Hays County Judge. He will face Will Conley, who ran unopposed in the Republican primary, in the general election this November.

“I want to be the County Judge that represents everyone in Hays County, not just a select few or the gerrymandered out. Will Conley gerrymandered Texas State out of its precinct. He clearly does not want to hear from Bobcats. I do,” said Mr. Becerra.

Mr. Conley, a Texas State alumni, says he’s “working hard to earn the support” from Texas State students.

The County Court seat vacated by Mr. Conley last year is now held by Republican Lon Shell. Mr. Shell defeated his primary opponent and will face Democrat Jimmy Alan Hall in November.

Races that weren’t so cut and dry were Texas House District 45 and Congressional District 21. District 21 is currently held by Rep. Lamar Smith, R-San Antonio. Mr. Smith announced his retirement last year and set off a scramble to fill his seat. None of the Democrats or Republican candidates gained a majority of votes, meaning they will face off in May runoff election.

The top two candidates from each party will be on the runoff ballot. The Republican candidates will be a former staffer for Senator Ted Cruz, Chip Roy, and William Negley. The Democrats will see Joseph Kopser, who has the backing of national Democrats, and Mary Street Wilson, a lesbian minister, battle it out for the nomination.

Only the Republicans have a clear nominee for the House District 45 race. Ken Strange will top the ballot in November. The Democrats still have another fight ahead of them. Texas State University English professor Rebecca Bell-Metereau and author Erin Zwiener will be on the ballot again in the runoff election.

There has been a lot of talk around the nation about a “blue wave,” and analysts say Texas will be a strong indicator for the rest of the country. In Hays County, voting turnout for Republicans went up 1.3 percent since the last midterm primary elections in 2014. Democratic turnout went up 6.5 percent since 2014. At first glance, this seems like good news for Democrats. However, the increased turnout only levels the playing field. Fewer Democrats than Republicans showed up to the polls this year than Republicans in Hays County and around the state.

A full list of winners can be found at the Texas Secretary of State’s office and the Hays County Elections office.

Featured image via Facebook.