Updated: Results show Dutton, Davis headed to runoff in race for Democratic nominee for state representative of District 142

Updated 4:55 p.m. March 5

Jerry Davis, who serves as Houston City Council Member District B, said March 5 that the primary results showed that about 55% of people in District 142 want change.

"We've been able to be good communicators and facilitators of information and projects and ordinances from our office to the people, and that's one thing I'll continue to do when elected as state representative," Davis said.

Updated 10:30 a.m. March 4

Democratic incumbent Harold V. Dutton Jr. is heading to a runoff election against opponent Jerry Davis in the race for Texas House District 142. With all 401 voting centers in Harris County reporting, Dutton received 45.24% of the votes, or 5,723 votes, and Davis followed behind with 25.29%, or 3,199 votes. Natasha Ruiz followed closely behind Davis with 20.53%, or 2,597 votes, and Richard Bonton received 8.94%, or 1,131 votes.

According to Dutton's biography on the Texas House of Representatives website, Dutton is serving his 17th term in the district. In the 86th legislative session last year, Dutton authored numerous bills relating to criminal justice reform, per the website.

Davis currently serves as Houston City Council Member District B as well as vice mayor pro tem. In a questionnaire Davis did for Community Impact Newspaper in January, Davis said he wants to address classroom sizes and continue appropriating more funds for school districts and teachers.

Davis was not able to reached for comment by press time.

The runoff election will take place May 26. Whoever wins the Democratic runoff will face Republican candidate Jason Rowe, who was uncontested in the Republican primary, in the November election.

All results are unofficial until canvassed.

Updated 11:40 p.m. March 3

With 268 of 401 Harris County voting centers reporting, incumbent Harold V. Dutton Jr. maintains a lead over his three opponents in the Democratic primary for House District 142. However, a runoff against candidate Jerry Davis is possible.

In races with more than two candidates, a candidate must obtain 50% of the votes in order to win. Unofficial election results show Dutton has received 50.03% of the votes, or 3,424 votes, while Davis follows behind at 24.96% of the votes, or 1,708 votes.

Meanwhile, the other two candidates—Richard Bonton and Natasha Ruiz—received 8.75% of the votes, or 598 votes, and 16.28% of the votes, or 1,114 votes, respectively.

If Dutton's lead drops below 50%, he will face Davis in the runoff. Whoever wins the Democratic primary will face Republican candidate Jason Rowe, who currently has 1,446 votes, in the November election.

All results are unofficial until canvassed.

Posted 8:30 p.m. March 3

Unofficial early voting results show Republican incumbent Harold V. Dutton Jr. taking the lead in the race for state representative for District 142 with 50.77% of the votes, or 3,347 votes. Dutton is followed by Jerry Davis with 24.98% of the votes, or 1,647 votes; Natasha Ruiz with 15.49% of the votes, or 1,021 votes; and Richard Bonton with 8.75% of the votes, or 577 votes.

Whichever candidate wins the primary election will face uncontested Republican candidate Jason Rowe, who currently has 1,185 votes, in the November election. If no candidate reaches 50% of the vote, the top two candidates will enter into a runoff election.

All results are unofficial until canvassed. For more primary election results and coverage, visit communityimpact.com/election-texas-2020-primary.