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    John Burns, the de facto winner of the JP4 race, as there is no Democrat candidate for office.

Runoff Election Results: die is cast

LOCAL RACES

The May 22 primary runoff election results are in, and the die is cast for the candidates in the upcoming 2018 election. In an unusual case, the primary did determine one winner for office. In the Republican Primary race for Dripping Springs’ Justice of the Peace Precinct 4 (JP4), John Burns won readily over Robert Avera, with 1,102 votes versus Avera’s 570 votes. Burns is now the de facto winner of the office, as there is no Democrat candidate for JP4. Burns issued a brief statement after his win. “I’d like to thank my supporters and all those who came out to vote in the May 22 runoff election. Special thanks to my wife, Melody, and my campaign treasurer, Steve Meyer, for their constant encouragement and support. “As your next JP, my priorities are to have a smooth transition with Judge Terry Kyle as he retires, to ensure that everyone receives a fair and speedy trial, to manage the growing workload at the JP’s office as efficiently as possible, and to connect with the youth or our community through outreach programs.” Other Republican races In the race for Justice, 3rdCourt of Appeals District, Place 6, Michael “Mike” Toth won a statewide victory over Donna Davidson with 53% of the vote. For U.S. Representative, District 21 (Hays County, but not Dripping Springs), Chip Roy won a victory over Matt Mcall, with 53% of the vote. The Congressional seat became open when incumbent Congressman Lamar Smith (R-San Antonio) announced his retirement.

Democrat races

On the Democrat primary runoff ballot, candidate Lupe Valdez will be the Democrat gubernatorial candidate in November. Hays County voters chose Andrew White won over Valdez by a comfortable margin of 3,026 votes, to Valdez’s 2,487 votes, but Valdez won the statewide vote with a comfortable 6-point lead. Both Democrats had strong support within their party. Valdez is touted as the “first openly lesbian and first Latina candidate to win a major party gubernatorial in Texas,” by The Texas Tribune. White is the son of late Texas Governor Mark White (D). Valdez will face off against incumbent Texas Governor Greg Abbott (R) in the fall. For U.S. Representative, District 21 (Hays County, but not Dripping Springs), Joseph Kopser won handily against Mary Wilson, with 58% of the vote. For U.S. Representative, District 25 (Dripping Springs), Chris Perri won over Julie Oliver with 52% of the vote. Perri will face off against incumbent Dripping Springs Congressman Roger Williams (R) in November. In the Texas House, Erin Zwiener won by two-percent over Rebecca Bell-Metereau for the right to represent Democrats in the State Representative, District 45 seat election in November. The Texas House seat, which represents areas in both Hays County and Blanco County, became open when Jason Isaac, R-Dripping Springs, announced he would not run for re-election. Zwiener will face Wimberley businessman Ken Strange (R) in November.

Dripping Springs Century-News

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Dripping Springs, Texas 78620

Phone: (512) 858-4163
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