No clear winners in Harris County judge primaries
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Annise Parker (left), Letitia Plummer (right). Photos: Kirk Sides/Houston Chronicle via Getty Images; Karen Warren via Getty Images
The top two finishers in the Democratic and Republican primary for Harris County judge are headed for May runoffs after no candidate passed the 50% threshold, according to unofficial election results on Wednesday.
Why it matters: The race will determine who succeeds Judge Lina Hidalgo, as Republicans push to reclaim control of the nation's third-largest county.
State of play: On the Democratic side, former Houston mayor Annise Parker will face off against former at-large Houston City Council Member Letitia Plummer.
- On the Republican side, former Harris County treasurer Orlando Sanchez and business owner Warren Howell advanced to a runoff.
By the numbers: Parker led with 46.62% of the Democratic vote, compared with 37.29% for Plummer. Political newcomer Matt Salazar garnared 16.09%, per the Harris County Clerk's Office unofficial results released Wednesday morning.
- For Republicans, Sanchez led with 26.46%, followed by Howell with 20.79%. Marty Lancton had 20.57% and Aliza Dutt had 18.64%, as of Wednesday morning.
Catch up quick: Sanchez leaned on deep local name recognition to emerge from the crowded, splintered field. Howell edged out firefighters union president Lancton, who raised the most money and had Gov. Greg Abbott's endorsement, by a few hundred votes.
- Parker, a former three-term Houston mayor, brought broad recognition and executive experience to the race. Plummer framed herself as a community-centered alternative.
What they're saying: "I really went to bed last night thinking that we weren't going to win, only to wake up this morning and realize that we did, so it was a pleasant surprise to say the least," Howell tells Axios.
- "We did not concentrate on endorsements ... we relied on getting our message out to the grassroots, the everyday Republicans out here voting."
The big picture: The open-seat race is one of Texas' most closely watched local races, with both parties eyeing an opportunity in a county that remains politically competitive.
- Abbott has pledged to turn Harris County "dark red" after years of Democratic control.
What's next: Runoffs are scheduled for May 26.
Editor's note: This story has been updated.