Republican State Rep. Lois Kolkhorst avoided a runoff for the state Senate District 18 seat by receiving 55 percent of the vote Saturday to win a special election, according to unofficial results.
Kolkhorst, who has served as a state representative for 14 years, won the race for the position vacated by Sen. Glenn Hegar, who resigned his post after being elected as Texas' next comptroller in the November elections.
"I'm excited to work with my colleagues in the State Senate, Governor-elect [Greg] Abbott, and Lt. Governor-elect Dan Patrick in the next legislative session," she said. "We have an opportunity to have the most conservative session in recent history, responding to the demand of the voters of Texas. I cannot thank the voters of District 18 enough. I'm truly humbled by the results."
Kolkhorst garnered 21,833 votes [or 55.69 percent] with all precincts reported, beating out fellow Republican Gary Gates [13,414 votes or 34.21 percent]. Also running were Democrats Cindy Drabek [1,900 votes or 4.84 percent] and Christian E. Hawkins [1,275 or 3.25 percent], and Republican Charles Gregory [778 votes or 1.98 percent].
