Henry Cuellar likely headed for runoff. Few surprises in most House races.

In Democratic and Republican primaries, activist-wing candidates made strong showings.

By Michael Marks & Shelly BrisbinMarch 2, 2022 11:59 am,

Update: U.S. Rep. Van Taylor, representing Texas’ 3rd Congressional District, ended his race for reelection on Wednesday. Taylor was set for a runoff election in May. See more here.

Candidates for Texas’ 38 U.S. House seats faced off in Tuesday’s Republican and Democratic Party primaries. Texas gained two congressional seats after the 2020 census, and two more seats opened up after those incumbents retired.

Several candidates for Congress face May runoffs. But the Quorom Report’s Scott Braddock says the results for most congressional races turned out as he had expected.

Listen to the interview with Braddock in the audio player above or read the interview highlights below:

– The runoff between Henry Cuellar and Jessica Cisneros reflects a larger debate happening within the Democratic Party in Texas. Braddock argues it’s a sign that Democrats are having a “healthy debate” over whether to elect more progressive candidates like Cisneros, or stick with moderates like Cuellar.

– Incumbents facing runoffs may be in serious trouble. Braddock says it’s a sign that a large portion of voters considered those candidates’ records and decided they wanted something different.

– Former President Donald Trump may still be a strong influence on Republican primary voters, Braddock says. Of all the major candidates who had Trump’s endorsement, including Gov. Greg Abbott, Attorney General Ken Paxton and Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller, only one (Paxton) faces a runoff, despite all having strong primary challengers.

– Republican candidates across Texas seemed to be trying to prove to voters that they were “the most conservative” candidate, Braddock says. And this primary was a proving ground for conservatism perhaps unlike any before it.

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