With all 401 Harris County voting centers reporting election day results, incumbent Ed Gonzalez won the Democratic candidacy for Harris County sheriff, while Republican challengers Joe Danna and Paul Day are heading to a runoff.
In the Democratic primary, Gonzalez earned 72.61%, or 185,168 votes, while challengers Jerome Moore garnered 18.45%, or 47,051 votes, and Harry Zamora received 8.94%, or 22,809 votes.
"I am honored to have earned the support of so many voters," Gonzalez said. "My commitment is to serve all the residents of Harris County and I will continue working to keep our county safe."
In the Republican primary, Danna earned 48.55%, or 79,020 votes, Day earned 28.96%, or 47,128 votes, and Randy Rush received 22.49%, or 36,612 votes. As no candidate received more than 50% of the vote, the top two vote-getters, Danna and Day, are expected to face each other in a runoff election May 26.
“We are preparing for a runoff and we feel very confident because of the [voting] margin between [myself] and Paul Day," Danna said. "We’re very encouraged with the support that we received and will be receiving in the next couple months prior to the May 26 [election]. We’re not wasting any time. It’s going to be an uphill battle but we’re going to take this one day at a time and we started this morning.”
Likewise, Day said he was encouraged by the voter turnout in the primary election and was looking forward to the May 26 election.
"We had such a good grassroots effort—we got a lot of votes out that we wouldn't have if people hadn't worked so hard countywide, [so] we're just thankful for the voters for voting for us," Day said. "I can't emphasize enough how proud I am of all the voters and of those groups who endorsed me because they did their research and they saw that I was the best candidate. We're excited—it's going to be another miracle from God. I believe I can get those 47,000 votes out again and I think we're going to get above and beyond that because we've got almost three months to spread the message."
All results are unofficial until canvassed.
Updated March 3 at 10:38 p.m.
Incumbent Sheriff Ed Gonzalez continues to lead the Democratic primary, while Joe Danna continues to lead the Republican primary, with 167 of 401 Republican voting centers and 140 of 401 Democratic voting centers reporting election day results at 10:30 p.m. March 3.
In the Democratic primary, Gonzalez has received 73.82%, or 113,850 votes, while challengers Jerome Moore received 18.44%, or 28,442 votes, and Harry Zamora received 7.74%, 11,934 votes.
In the Republican primary, Danna earned 52.68%, or 59,683 votes, Paul Day earned 26.6%, or 30,134 votes, and Randy Rush earned 20.72%, or 23,467 votes. Danna said although all election date voting results had not yet been reported, he was hopeful for the election's outcome.
"We're headed in the right direction," Danna said. "I don't want to be overly-confident because we haven't gotten today's totals yet but I certainly feel very, very good as I've got 54-55% versus the second place's 25%, so we feel very good about what's happening so far."
If no candidate receives at least 50% of the votes, the top two candidates would head to a runoff election.
Gonzalez could not be reached for comment as of press time. All results are unofficial until canvassed.
Posted March 3 at 7:22 p.m.
With six candidates vying for two places on the ballot, unofficial absentee and early voting results show incumbent Ed Gonzalez is leading the Democratic Primary, while Joe Danna is leading the Republican Primary.
In the Democratic Primary, Gonzalez received 74.14%, or 91,729 votes, while challengers Jerome Moore received 18.99%, or 23,498 votes, and Harry Zamora earned 6.87%, or 8,496 votes. Gonzalez was first elected Harris County sheriff in November 2016.
In the Republican Primary, Danna received 54.77%, or 50,397 votes, Paul Day received 25.49%, or 23,455 votes, and Randy Rush received 19.74%, or 18,164 votes.
The winner of each primary election will face each other in November. For more information about the Harris County Sheriff's Office, click here.
All results are unofficial until canvassed.
