Cornyn, Paxton head to runoff In Texas U.S. Senate GOP race

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 (The Center Square) – Gov. Greg Abbott and several other incumbents easily won their primary elections on Tuesday. Several key races have yet to be called but are expected to head to runoff elections. 

Despite high profile races, voter turnout was low. 

More than 18.6 million people were registered to vote but less than three million voted during early voting and on Tuesday, according to unofficial results from the Secretary of State’s Office.

During the early voting period, those voting in the Democratic primary outnumbered those voting in the Republican primary by a margin of nearly three to one, The Center Square reported. 

According to unofficial results, Abbott, who is running for his fourth term, won nearly 83% of the vote. State Rep. Gina Hinojosa, D-Austin, easily won her primary race, receiving more than 60% of the vote, with 60% of the votes in at the time of publishing.

Incumbent Lt. Dan Patrick also received more than 85% of the vote; State Rep. Vikki Goodwin, D-Austin, was approaching 50% and is projected to be the likely winner.

In the high-profile U.S. Senate race, incumbent U.S. Sen. John Cornyn is heading to a runoff against challenger, outgoing Attorney General Ken Paxton. Cornyn was leading with 43% of the vote, with U.S. Rep. Wesley Hunt receiving under 13%. 

In the Democratic race, state Rep. James Talarico, who was largely unknown statewide, received nearly 52% of the vote. U.S. Rep. Jasmine Crockett, who had greater name recognition and a larger war chest, had received 47%, in unofficial early returns.

Also with 60% of the votes in, the Texas Attorney General race is also likely heading to a runoff election. In the Republican race, state Sen. Mayes Middleton, R-Galveston, was ahead with more than 41% of the vote; U.S. Rep. Chip Roy had about 30%. Democrat state Sen. Nathan Johnson was approaching 49% and is projected to win his primary race. 

In other statewide races, Republican challenger Nate Sheets was leading Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller by 10 points. Abbott and multiple Republicans endorsed Sheets, citing corruption concerns related to Miller, The Center Square reported. 

Abbott’s endorsed candidate for state comptroller, Kelly Hancock, received 23% of the vote compared to Texas businessman Don Huffines, who received 58% of the vote with 60% of the votes in. Huffines secretly purchased the Epstein ranch in New Mexico, a property that is now under criminal investigation, The Center Square reported. State Sen. Sarah Eckhardt won the Democratic primary, receiving 63% of the vote, according to unofficial results.