In Runoffs, Many Moderate Republican Candidates Outperformed More Conservative Challengers

This week in Texas politics with the Texas Tribune.

By Rhonda FanningMay 25, 2018 1:18 pm,

It’s time for the week that was in Texas politics with Emily Ramshaw, editor-in-chief of the Texas Tribune.

This week Gov. Greg Abbott convened a series of roundtable discussions at the Capitol to discuss safety measures in the wake of the Santa Fe High School shooting. Ramshaw says that there wasn’t much conversation about gun control, though.

“I see it less as a turning point around issues of gun control and gun safety,” Ramshaw says, “and more of a turning point around what are the additional things Texans are going to do to safeguard schools.”

On Tuesday, some Texans headed to the polls to vote in the primary runoff elections – but not many of them.

“Turnout is notoriously terrible in Texas,” Ramshaw says, “but I have to say the runoff turnout particularly in the Democratic gubernatorial race was pathetic.”

Ramshaw says the biggest takeaway from election night was that moderate Republicans in the state outperformed the more conservative Republican candidates, setting up an interesting dynamic for the next legislative session.

Written by Jen Rice.