Rand Henderson said in a statement issued March 6 he will await the final results from the March 5 election that put him at 0.03% below the 50% threshold in votes received needed to avoid a runoff.
"The results are so close that we’ll have to wait another few days until the results are final and official," Henderson said in the release. "I can be patient. But make no mistake, I am fully prepared to conduct a vigorous runoff election campaign and earn another four years from the voters."
Wesley Doolittle also provided Community Impact with a statement March 6.
"My family and incredible supporters are looking forward to the runoff," Doolittle said. "We ran a positive and truthful campaign and had a discussion with voters about the real public safety issues facing Montgomery County. We need a new sheriff, and I look forward to continuing to make my case as to why I'm the best choice in this race."
Updated March 6 at 7:15 a.m.
With all election day precincts reporting, incumbent Rand Henderson received just shy of the 50% of the vote needed to declare victory in the Republican primary for Montgomery County sheriff on March 5.
Henderson received 38,996 votes, or 49.97% of the vote. Challenger Wesley Doolittle received 35,947 votes, or 46.06% of the vote. Kenton Ford received 3,100 votes, or 3.97% of the total.
Because Henderson received less than 50% of the vote, he will face Doolittle in a runoff May 28.
No Democratic candidates filed in the primary election for sheriff.
Community Impact has reached out to the two candidates following the unofficial election results.
Updated March 5 at 10:35 p.m.
With about 20% of precincts reporting as of 10:35 p.m., Rand Henderson retained the lead in the Republican primary race for sheriff in Montgomery County. Unofficial results showed Henderson receiving 52.28% of votes cast, or 25,219 votes. Challenger Wesley Doolittle received 44.38% of ballots, or 21,408 votes, and Kenton Ford received 1,614 votes, or 3.35% of the vote.
This story will be updated March 6.
Posted March 5 at 7:23 p.m.
Incumbent Rand Henderson is leading the March 5 Republican primary race for Montgomery County sheriff with 53.02% of early voting and absentee votes, according to unofficial early voting results from Montgomery County.
Current situation
Henderson is challenged by Wesley Doolittle and Kenton Ford as the Republican candidates for sheriff. There is no Democratic primary race for sheriff in Montgomery County.
As of 7:08 p.m. on March 5, Henderson has received 22,855 votes, or 53.02% of the vote, while Doolittle has received 18,916 votes, or 43.89%, and Ford has received 1,332, or 3.09% of ballots.
All results are unofficial until canvassed.
A closer look
To learn more about the candidates, click here. Henderson was elected sheriff in 2016 and in 2020. The Montgomery County Sheriff's Office website states that he has served in Montgomery County since 1994. Doolittle said in a Q&A with Community Impact his experience includes 22 years with the Department of Public Safety, with 13 years as Texas Ranger; and he is currently a captain with the Montgomery County Precinct 1 Constable's office. According to information provided by Ford, he has 21 years experience in the sheriff's office.
Visit communityimpact.com/voter-guide/election-results to see results from all local elections in your community.
