With all precincts reporting in the Republican race for the U.S. congressional District 21 seat, incumbent Rep. Lamar Smith, Kerrville, has won, according to unofficial results. Democrat Tom Wakely is projected to have won the Democratic nomination.
Smith received 60.05 percent, or 69,348 total votes. His nearest challenger, Matt McCall, of Boerne, received 28.95 percent, or 33,432 votes. Todd Phelps came in third with 5.67 percent, or 6,557 votes while John Murphy received 5.31 percent, or 6,134 votes.
In the Democratic primary, Wakely received 58.96 percent, or 29,201 votes, with 459 out of 463 precincts reporting. His opponent, Tejas Vakil, received 41.03 percent, or 20,323 votes.
Election Day is Nov. 8.
Updated 11 p.m.
With 239 out of 1,106 precincts reporting, U.S. Rep. Lamar Smith, Kerrville, is set to once again capture his party's nomination as he looks to reclaim his District 21 seat, according to unofficial results. Democrat Tom Wakely appears likely to be his challenger.
Smith claimed 60.94 percent, or 42,446 votes, as 78.39 percent of the precincts remained unaccounted for.
Wakely had received 60.38 percent with 229 of 1,104 precincts reporting. His opponent, Tejas Vakil, received 39.61 percent, or 10,364 votes.
In the Republican race, Matt McCall received 30.78 percent, or 21,444 votes, Murphy received 4.09 percent, or 2,852 votes and Phelps received 4.17 percent, or 2,909 votes.
Murphy and Phelps said their campaigns this year provided helpful preparation as they plan to run again in 2018.
“We’re really excited about the results considering we have only been in the race for 10 weeks,” Phelps said.
He said he is looking forward to getting to know the voters over the next two years.
"I’m proud of [my campaign],” Murphy said. “I think we did well with the resources we had and the things we were able to do in terms of when I decided to start running. I think we did well, and I can’t wait to run again in 2018.”
Posted 8:15 p.m.
According to unofficial early voting results, U.S. Rep. Lamar Smith, Kerrville, appears set for a victory in the Republican primary for his District 21 seat.
Smith received 63.14 percent of the votes, or 21,625 early voting tallies. Challenger Matt McCall trailed Smith with 30.61 percent, or 10,484 votes. John Murphy received 3.41 percent, or 1,171 votes, and Todd Phelps received 2,81 percent, or 964 votes.
Asked whether the congressman had any comment regarding the early returns, a representative for Smith's campaign said, "not as of now."
Smith has served Texas’ 21st congressional district since 1987.
Phelps was a 2014 candidate for mayor of Austin.
According to his website, Murphy is a software engineer for an Austin tech sector startup.
McCall is a small business owner from Boerne, according to his website.
Democratic primary
Tom Wakely is on his way to securing the Democratic nomination in the District 21 race, according to unofficial early voting results.
Wakely received 60.06 percent, or 14,204 votes. His challenger, Tejas Vakil, received 39.93 percent, or 9,442 votes.
Reached by phone after early voting results had published, Wakely said he aligns with Presidential candidate Bernie Sanders' politics.
“People recognize that a progressive can beat Lamar Smith,” Wakely said. “I think that’s what [the early voting results say].”
When asked for comment, Vakil said he was "still waiting to see" the final election day returns.
Vakil, a commercial real estate company owner and technology consultant, was born in India and has lived in Texas for 22 years, according to his website.
A U.S. Air Force veteran and owner of a private care hospice, Wakely is a native of San Antonio, according to his website.
District 21 encompasses Bandera, Blanco, Gillespie, Kendall, Kerr and Real counties, as well as parts of Bexar, Comal, Hays and Travis counties. Members of the U.S. House of Representatives serve two-year terms.
All results are unofficial until canvassed.
