Updated at 9:23 a.m. May 25
Several state races resulted in runoff elections after candidates failed to receive at least 50 percent of the vote during the March 1 primary election. In the May 24 runoffs, the two candidates who earned the most votes in the primary without earning 50 percent of the total vote faced each other. The winners will run against candidates from opposing political parties during the general election in November.
Texas railroad commissioner
Unofficial results show Grady Yarbrough won the race for the Texas railroad commissioner Democratic candidate against Cody Garrett.
Yarbrough received 53.91 percent of the statewide vote, or 101,401 votes, and Garrett received 46.08 percent, or 86,683 votes, according to the Texas Secretary of State Elections Division.
Garrett's platform included a moratorium on natural gas rate increases, worker safety, support of labor unions and environmental issues, according to the candidate's website. Yarbrough's website was unavailable.
The race for the Texas railroad commissioner Republican candidate also went to a runoff election.
Unofficial results show Wayne Christian won with 50.88 percent of the vote, or 192,599 votes, compared with Gary Gates' 49.11 percent, or 185,887 votes.
Gates ran on the platform of job creation, private property rights and government accountability, and Christian said his priorities if elected would be consistent, predictable and science-based leadership as well as bridging the gap between the commission and the Legislature.
The Texas Railroad Commission sets policies and regulations for the exploration and production of oil and natural gas and manages gas utilities. Its three commissioners are elected to six-year terms, with one commissioner seeking election every two years. Texas Railroad Commission Chairman David Porter reached the end of his term and did not run for re-election.
Court of Criminal Appeals, Place 2
The Texas Court of Criminal Appeals is the highest court for criminal cases in the state, and its nine judges are elected to six-year terms in statewide elections.
Unofficial results show Mary Lou Keel led race for the Republican candidate. Keel received 50.96 percent of the statewide vote, or 185,257 votes, and Ray Wheless received 49.03 percent, or 178,272 votes.
Keel and Wheless both have backgrounds as trial court judges.
Keel will face Democrat Lawrence “Larry” Meyers, who ran unopposed March 1, in the November general election.
Court of Criminal Appeals, Place 5
Scott Walker led the Republican race for the Court of Criminal Appeals Place 5 candidate against Brent Webster, according to unofficial results.
Walker received 57.88 percent of the vote, or 207,195 votes, compared with Webster’s 42.11 percent, or 150,722 votes.
Walker's website said the candidate believes in the separation of powers and is opposed to legislation from the bench. Webster's platform included judicial integrity, fiscal responsibility, and protecting first and second amendment rights.
Walker will face Democrat Betsy Johnson, who ran unopposed March 1, in the November general election.
All results are unofficial until canvassed.
