Updates 10:51 a.m. March 3
With all voting centers reporting, attorney Jolanda Jones and Realtor Danielle Keys Bess are headed to a runoff in the Democratic primary for Texas House District 147.
Jones finished as the frontrunner in the race with 41.2% of the vote, or 4,650 votes. Bess edged out candidate Reagan Flowers for the spot in the runoff, earning 2,239 votes to Flowers' 1,975.
In a Q&A with Community Impact Newspaper, Jones—a former at-large member of the Houston City Council and Houston ISD trustee—listed a number of priorities, including health care, affordable housing, criminal justice reform, public education, voting rights and economic development.
"We must expand Medicaid; stop gentrification and build more affordable housing; reform the criminal justice system, including bail bonds; strengthen our public schools by changing the funding formula, providing funding for vocational and trade education, reversing the ban on critical race theory and reversing restrictions on trans students; stop voter suppression; support unions and raise the minimum wage," Jones said.
Bess touted her 20 years of experience as a community advocate and in government relations. She said her focus is on public safety, sustainable living and infrastructure, and economic equity.
"Being an active member of this district in all aspects of my life, I understand the relevance of this seat when it comes to funding community infrastructure, healthcare, education and other governing aspects [and] entities that have a direct correlation with bringing equity and resources back from the state," Bess said.
A total of seven candidates ran in the primary. Candidate Aurelia Wagner finished the race in fourth with 8.6% of the vote. Namrata "Nam" Subramanian, Somtoochukwu Ik-Ejiofor and Akwete Hines finished with 7%, 3.2% and 2.5% of the vote, respectively.
The runoff election will take place May 24.
Updated 7:21 a.m. March 2
With 200 of 375 voting centers reporting in Harris County, attorney Jolanda Jones continues to lead a crowded field in the Democratic primary for Texas House District 147. But with Jones at 42.9% of the vote, a runoff remains likely.
Both Danielle Keys Bess—a Realtor and consultant—and Reagan Flowers—a nonprofit executive—remain competitive for the second spot in a potential runoff at 19.7% and 17.4% of the vote, respectively.
Unofficial vote tallies show the two candidates separated by just over 200 votes as of the morning of March 2, with Bess at 1,929 votes and Flowers at 1,707 votes. Bess' lead has grown since the release of early voting results.
Aurelia Wagner is in fourth with 8% of the vote. Namrata "Nam" Subramanian, Somtoochukwu Ik-Ejiofor and Akwete Hines are trailing with 6.5%, 2.9% and 2.5% of the vote, respectively.
Updated 10:51 p.m. March 1
With six of 375 voting centers reporting in Harris County, results in the Democratic primary for Texas House District 147 have not changed since early voting results came in.
Harris County election officials have reported delays in the release of election results. Texas election code requires precinct election records to be delivered 24 hours after polls close, but county officials said political parties are seeking a court order related to the time needed to count ballots.
This story will be updated as results continue to come in.
Posted 7:46 p.m. March 1
With early votes tallied, Jolanda Jones is leading a seven-person race in the Democratic primary for Texas House District 147, though one of two other candidates—Danielle Keys Bess or Reagan Flowers—could force a runoff.
Jones has 45.8% of the vote so far, or 3,021 votes. Bess has the second highest vote count with 18.4%, or 1,210 votes, followed by Flowers with 16.9% of the vote, or 1,116 votes.
Aurelia Wagner is in fourth with 7.5% of the vote. Meanwhile, Namrata "Nam" Subramanian, Somtoochukwu Ik-Ejiofor and Akwete Hines are trailing with 6.3%, 2.7% and 2.4% of the vote, respectively.
The winner of the Democratic primary will be on the ballot in November’s general election and will face off against the winner of the Republican primary for District 147.
If no candidate exceeds 50% of the vote by the time all ballots are counted, the two candidates with the most votes will compete in a runoff election in May. Read a Q&A with all seven Democratic candidates here.
Candidates are vying to replace former Rep. Garnet Coleman, who officially retired Feb. 28. After Coleman's retirement, Texas Gov. Greg Abbott announced a special election would take place for District 147 on May 7 to determine who would hold the seat until a new representative is elected in November.
Texas House members are up for election every two years. A total of 18,955 ballots were cast in the race for District 147 in March 2020 Democratic primary, when Coleman drew two challengers. Coleman won the race outright with 61.5% of the vote.
After new district boundaries were drawn during the 2021 redistricting process, the coverage area of District 147 shifted northward slightly to cover areas just north of I-10 along White Oak Bayou in addition to parts of Midtown, Downtown Houston and the Montrose area. The district continues to cover Houston's Third Ward and parts of south and southwest Houston.
All results are unofficial until canvassed.
Visit our online Voter Guide for all local election results in your community.
