It’s time for the week that was in Texas politics with Alex Samuels, political reporter for The Texas Tribune.
Looking back at Super Tuesday primary results, Samuels says there are a few takeaways for Texans.
Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders seemed strong as early voting returns came in on election night. But voters who cast ballots on Election Day went for former Vice President Joe Biden in greater numbers. He went on to win the Texas Democratic presidential primary.
In the Democratic Senate primary, MJ Hegar’s leading finish was expected, but it wasn’t clear before Election Day whom she might face in a possible runoff. Dallas state Sen. Royce West took the second spot, having been neck and neck in polls with labor activist Cristina Tzintzún Ramirez.
Railroad Commissioner Ryan Sitton lost his Republican primary contest to Jim Wright, an owner of an oilfield waste services company. Sitton lost despite support from Gov. Greg Abbott, Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick and both of Texas’ U.S. senators.
“He lost to a guy who had about $13,000 in the bank, and little to no name recognition,” Samuels says.
Samuels says one possible explanation for Wright’s surprising win is that he shares a name with former U.S. Speaker of the House Jim Wright, who was a Fort Worth Democrat.
Written by Shelly Brisbin.
