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Members of the Texas House education committee were hearing about the poor state of students' mental health when an 18-year-old gunman opened fire in an elementary school classroom in Uvalde, killing 19 children and two adults.

• Within 24 hours, Democrats were calling for increased gun control, and Republicans were calling for improved mental health services.

Driving the news: Gov. Greg Abbott said during a news conference Wednesday that the state’s government needs “to find a way to target that mental health challenge,” referring to whatever led the shooter to charge into the school.

The political divide over guns was on full and raw display during a Wednesday press conference, just one day after 19 children and two adults were fatally shot at an Uvalde elementary school.

Driving the news: Democratic gubernatorial candidate Beto O'Rourke approached the stage, extending a pointer finger toward Gov. Greg Abbott, and interrupting to deliver a message: "This is on you."

A loving mother and wife, a boy who enjoyed dancing with his family and another who was learning to play football with his grandfather.

The big picture: Nineteen children and at least two adults were killed after a gunman entered Robb Elementary School in Uvalde, Texas, on Tuesday and started shooting. It's the deadliest school shooting in the U.S. in nearly a decade.

Outgoing U.S. Rep. Eddie Bernice Johnson's handpicked successor won the runoff to replace the 30-year incumbent.

Driving the news: Freshman state Rep. Jasmine Crockett won Johnson’s endorsement to represent U.S. House District 30 and received 48% of the vote in the March primary.

• However, it wasn't enough to stave off a runoff against Jane Hope Hamilton, who has a 20-year political career as a congressional aide and managing campaigns.

The district, which has only been represented by Johnson, includes parts of Dallas and Duncanville and all of DeSoto and Lancaster. It's considered a lock for Democrats.

Between the lines: Crockett's campaign was boosted by $2 million from cryptocurrency traders' super PACs — the second-highest amount of special interest money spent on House candidates.

Other races

Collin County - Trump-backed police officer, Frederick Frazier, leads the race for the new House District 61, which includes several of the fastest-growing towns in Collin County: McKinney, Frisco, Celina and Anna.

• Frazier was accused of vandalizing the signs of his opponent, Paul Chabot, who the campaign called a "serial fabulist."

Dallas County - Former Dallas City Council member Sandra Crenshaw lost to real estate agent Venton Jones in a runoff for House District 100.

• Crenshaw took a surprise lead in the March primary despite raising just $500 but lost support from the Stonewall Democrats of Dallas for comments she made about her opponent, who is gay and HIV-positive.

Tarrant County - Trump-backed Phil Sorrells leads the Republican nomination for Tarrant County District Attorney against state Rep. Matt Krause.

• In the fall, Krause compiled a list of 850 books that might make students feel "discomfort" if found in school libraries.

Nineteen students and at least two adults are dead after a gunman opened fire at an elementary school in Uvalde, Texas, Tuesday, police said.

The latest: At least 17 others were injured, but no injuries are life threatening, Texas Gov. Greg Abbott said Wednesday speaking in Uvalde.

Embattled Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton fended off a challenge from George P. Bush, the scion of the famed political family, in the race for the Republican nomination for attorney general, per the AP.

Why it matters: By proxy, Paxton's victory is another win for former President Trump, who returned the attorney general's loyalty with a much-coveted endorsement.

Voters head to the polls in Georgia, Texas, Alabama, Arkansas and Minnesota on Tuesday as the 2022 primaries heat up.

Why it matters: Tuesday will be a test of former President Trump's dominance over the Republican Party and also will feature several battles in the ongoing war between progressives and moderate Democrats.

Tuesday’s congressional runoff between two South Texas Latino Democrats with opposing views on abortion could shape how their party fares in November.

The big picture: Democrats bracing for a loss of the House majority in November are rallying voters nationally around fears the Supreme Court is about to overturn abortion rights — but in a general election, this message may not work as well in socially conservative districts with Democratic incumbents.