Updated 10 p.m. CST

Democratic candidate James Cargas is the projected winner of U.S. Representative District 7 primary race over Lissa Squiers with 64 percent of the vote, with 120 of 166 precincts reporting, according to unofficial results from the Harris County election office.

Cargas received 3,283 of 4,860 votes and Squiers received 1,879.

"It's mixed feelings, obviously I feel good about advancing on to November, but it's always a shame when you have to spend money on another Democrat rather than the incumbent," Cargas said. "Winning a primary does not make me a congressman."

Cargas will challenge Republican incumbent John Culberson for the District 7 seat, which he has held since 2000. In his tenure he has served as the Vice Chair of Homeland Security Subcommittee and also served on the Commerce, Justice and Science Subcommittee. In 1999 he ended his 14-years stint on the Texas House of Representatives.

"There is a lot of work to do to win in November," Cargas said. "I think there may be some moderate republicans out there looking for a decent alternative as well."

Cargas graduated from The American University's Washington College of Law, has worked for law firms and as counsel for independent companies and for national and local political councils. Cargas has spent most of his career working on energy and utility issues, including the President's Council on Sustainable Development, the Office of Fossil Energy, and the City of Houston's energy counsel.

Posted 7:56 p.m. CST March 4

In the Democratic primary race for U.S. Representative District 7, James Cargas leads Lissa Squiers with 64 percent of the vote, according to unofficial results from Texas Secretary of State office.

The candidates are vying to unseat District 7 Republican incumbent John Culberson, who has held the seat since 2001.

A total of 3,382 votes were cast in early voting. Cargas received 2,161 votes and Squiers received 1,221.

Zero precincts have reported results from the March 4 primary election day at this time.