The biggest surprise in the Texas Republican Primary vote was the defeat of Railroad Commissioner Ryan Sitton by Jim Wright, owner of an oilfield waste services company, who did little campaigning, spending less than $15,000 in a statewide race. Incumbent Sitton cannot be faulted for taking the race lightly, he campaigned hard.
Jim Wright
It is my learned opinion that as a lesser-known office Jim Wright simply benefited from name I.D. However, it is a bit disgusting that Republican voters would remember “Fort Worthless” Jim Wright in a positive manner given he was the Democrat Speaker of the House from 1987 to 1989 and left office due to scandal.
The most amazing and historic electoral performance was in Texas’ 11th Congressional District which covers 29 counties and includes the cities of Midland, Odessa, and San Angelo.
In the race to replace Midland’s Mike Conaway in Congress, ten Republicans were on the ballot and most all of them seriously campaigned. Several, including Odessa’s Jamie Berryhill, Midland’s J. Ross Lacy and Brandon Batch had major endorsements and yet San Angelo’s August Pfluger won the race outright with slightly more than 52% of the vote. In a distant second was Batch with only 15% and no one else even made it to double digits.
August Pfluger
Given the nature of these districts where each big vote center normally coalesces around “their” candidate fearful of the Congressman being from another part of the district, it is shocking that Pfluger performed as he did. Sure Tom Green County and San Angelo coalesced behind him but he pulled over 42% in Midland and almost 44% in Ector County. And that after admitting he did not even vote in the key 2018 General Election! Pfluger’s performance was nothing less than stunning.
Railroad Commission upset was big but the stunner was in TX11
Jim Wright
It is my learned opinion that as a lesser-known office Jim Wright simply benefited from name I.D. However, it is a bit disgusting that Republican voters would remember “Fort Worthless” Jim Wright in a positive manner given he was the Democrat Speaker of the House from 1987 to 1989 and left office due to scandal.
The most amazing and historic electoral performance was in Texas’ 11th Congressional District which covers 29 counties and includes the cities of Midland, Odessa, and San Angelo.
In the race to replace Midland’s Mike Conaway in Congress, ten Republicans were on the ballot and most all of them seriously campaigned. Several, including Odessa’s Jamie Berryhill, Midland’s J. Ross Lacy and Brandon Batch had major endorsements and yet San Angelo’s August Pfluger won the race outright with slightly more than 52% of the vote. In a distant second was Batch with only 15% and no one else even made it to double digits.
August Pfluger
Given the nature of these districts where each big vote center normally coalesces around “their” candidate fearful of the Congressman being from another part of the district, it is shocking that Pfluger performed as he did. Sure Tom Green County and San Angelo coalesced behind him but he pulled over 42% in Midland and almost 44% in Ector County. And that after admitting he did not even vote in the key 2018 General Election! Pfluger’s performance was nothing less than stunning.