Updated 10:25 p.m.
Incumbent Kevin Brady likely will be returning to Washington for another two-year term after a projected victory in the March 4 Republican Primary over opponent Craig McMichael.
According to unofficial results, Brady received 67.9 percent of the votes, or 35,373 votes, compared to McMichael, who earned 32.1 percent, or 16,758 votes. About 64 percent of the precincts were reported as of press time, or 134 out of 208 precincts.
"I'm thrilled with the win," Brady said. "It's an anti-incumbent mood about Congress right now. I'm just excited about getting back."
Brady has served District 8 on the U.S. House of Representatives since 1997. Before that, he served with the Texas House and served for 18 years on various chambers of commerce. Brady is a senior member of the U.S. House Ways and Means Committee, is the chairman of the Health Subcommittee and the second highest Republican on the Social Security Subcommittee.
Brady said he looks forward to serving as the chairman of the Ways and Means Committee in his next term. He hopes to continue to pay down the nation's debt, fix the budget and address health care issues.
"The Ways and Means Committee we serve in, we have an idea to fix this broken tax code and reign in the IRS," he said. "That chairmanship is important, because Obamacare, Social Security, Medicare, they all start in that committee."
Posted 8:30 p.m.
Incumbent Kevin Brady has an early lead in the Republican Primary race for U.S. Representative District 8 based on early results from four of District 8's nine counties, according to the Secretary of State's website.
According to early voting results, Brady received 65.8 percent of the early voting totals in Montgomery, Harris, Houston and Trinity counties, or 18,543 votes. His opponent Craig McMichael, has received 34.2 percent, or 9,648 early votes, among the four counties. Early voting results have not been posted for Grimes, Leon, Madison, San Jacinto or Walker Counties, while three of District 8's 208 precincts reporting.
There is no Democratic candidate running for the position in the November general election. The winner will begin serving his two-year term on Jan. 1, 2015.
Brady has served District 8 on the U.S. House of Representatives since 1997. Before that, he served with the Texas House and served for 18 years on various chambers of commerce. Brady is a senior member of the U.S. House Ways and Means Committee, is the chairman of the Health Subcommittee and the second highest Republican on the Social Security Subcommittee.
McMichael is a former Oak Ridge High School Graduate and Marine Sergeant who served 10 years in the Marine Corps, including two tours in Iraq and a tour in Afghanistan. He has received numerous medals for his time served and has lived in Houston with his wife, Penny, and three sons since his honorable discharge.