Incumbent U.S. Rep. Eddie Bernice Johnson appears well on her way to an 11th term in Congress. Johnson captured 71 percent of the early vote in Congressional District 30, according to the Dallas County Elections office. Barbara Mallory Caraway was second with 18 percent, while Taj Clayton was third with 12 percent. Early voting is expected to account for at least half of overall turnout, and Johnson needs only 50 percent to avoid a runoff.
Meanwhile, in Congressional District 33, state Rep. Marc Veasey leads the way with 39 percent after early voting but appears headed for a runoff with Domingo Garcia, who was second with 25 percent. Kathleen Hicks was third with 14 percent.
In other local races, Dallas County Sheriff Lupe Valdez also has a commanding lead after early voting, with 74 percent to Charlie Thomas’ 26 percent.
In Dallas County Commissioners Court Precinct 1, Theresa Daniel leads Democrats with 53 percent after early voting, followed by Daniel Clayton with 33 percent and Gloria Levario with 15 percent. It’s too soon to say whether Daniel will avoid a runoff. On the Republican side in Precinct 1, Larry Miller leads Cecile Fernandez by 73 percent to 27 percent, and appears on his way to the GOP nomination. In Precinct 3, Democratic incumbent John Wiley Price leads with 76 percent, and Micah Phillips was second with 10 percent.
In Tarrant County, incumbent state Rep. Lon Burnam leads gay school board member Carlos Vasquez by 55 percent to 45 percent after early voting, a margin of fewer than 200 votes.
In Collin County, openly gay State Board of Education member George Clayton can only hope to make a runoff against Geraldine “Tincy” Miller. Miller leads with a combined total of 34 percent of early votes in District 12, which covers all of Collin and part of Dallas County. Gail Spurlock was second with 24 percent, followed by Clayton with 22 percent and Pam Little with 19 percent. A margin of about 650 votes separates Spurlock and Clayton for second place and a spot in the runoff.
In the GOP Senate race, with 89 of 8,779 precincts reporting, Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst leads with 47 percent followed by Ted Cruz with 27 percent, according to the Secretary of State’s Office. Dewhurst needs 50 percent to avoid a runoff. On the Democratic side, Paul Sadler leads the way among four candidates with 35 percent after early voting. Dallas’ Sean Hubbard was a disappointing fourth and, as of now, out of a likely runoff.
In Austin, lesbian Travis County District Attorney Rosemary Lehmberg appeared well on her way to re-election, with 74 percent of the early vote compared to Charlie Baird’s 26 percent.
In the GOP presidential race, the Associated Press has called it for Romney and declared that Texas delegates give him enough to clinch the Republican presidential nomination.
Again, these are only early voting totals. Election Day results should start to come in shortly, and we’ll post final results as soon as they’re available.
Congratulations EBJ and thanks for all that you stand for, and your stand for all of us!