Mary Gonzalez
Out state Rep. Mary Gonzalez will likely keep her House District 75 seat after early voting results gave her a strong lead Tuesday.
Gonzalez, D-El Paso, brought in 69 percent of the vote, compared to her only Democratic challenger Rey Sepulveda, who received 31 percent of the early vote.
No Republican is seeking the office, so Gonzalez is sure to return to the state Legislature after final results come in.
She’s one of five openly gay state House candidates, but the only one with a contested primary.
Other out candidates are Celia Israel, who won the runoff in the special election to replace state Rep. Mark Strama in Austin and will face one Republican in the fall, and Denton’s Emy Lyons and Daniel Moran, who will both take on Republican incumbents.
Former state board of education member George Clayton is unopposed in his Democratic bid for HD 102, which covers parts of North Dallas, Richardson and Addison.
On the crowded Republican side, incumbent Stefani Carter came in second to former Dallas Councilwoman Linda Koop with 33 percent and 35 percent after early voting, so a runoff is likely.
Sam Brown received 28 percent of the vote with Adyana Boyne coming in last with 4 percent.
