Though this will be the first entry published in the morning, it was the last one I wrote last night, and I’m super tired. So, I’m going to make this brief.
Harris County Dem results – Harris County GOP results
Democratic races of interest, with about 86% of precincts reporting
District Attorney: Kim Ogg with 51%, so no runoff needed.
Sheriff: Ed Gonzalez (43%) and Jerome Moore (30%) in the runoff.
Tax Assessor: Ann Harris Bennett (61%) gets another crack at it.
Judicial races: Some close, some blowouts, some runoffs. Jim Sharp will not be on the ballot, as Candance White won easily, while the one contested district court race that featured an incumbent will go to overtime. Elaine Palmer in the 215th will face JoAnn Storey, after drawing 43% of the vote to Storey’s 28%. Those who are still smarting from Palmer’s unlovely ouster of Steve Kirkland in 2012 will get their chance to exact revenge on May 24.
Turnout: For some reason, Dem results were reporting a lot more slowly than GOP results. As of midnight, nearly 150 precincts were still out. At that time, Dem turnout had topped 200,000, so the final number is likely to be in the 210,000 to 220,000 range. That’s well short of 2008, of course, but well ahead of projections, and nobody could call it lackluster or disappointing. As was the case in 2008, some 60% of the vote came on Election Day. I think the lesson to draw here is that when there is a real Presidential race, fewer people vote early than you’d normally expect.
Republican races of interest, with 92% of precincts reporting
Sheriff: Ron Hickman, with 72%.
Tax Assessor: Mike Sullivan, with 83%. Kudos for not being that stupid, y’all.
County Attorney: Jim Leitner, with 53%.
Strange (to me) result of the night: GOP Chair Paul Simpson was forced to a runoff, against someone named Rick Ramos. Both had about 39% of the vote. What’s up with that?
Turnout: With 67 precincts to go, just over 300,000 total votes. Interestingly, that was right on Stan Stanart’s initial, exuberant projection. He nailed the GOP side, he just woefully underestimated the Dems.
Bedtime for me. I’m sure there will be plenty more to say in the coming days. What are your reactions?
Just a great informative blog. I would give you a like if you had a like button. I know I am critical of the positions you progressives take but I gotta tell you I respect the fact that they are well thought out. Just another good job.
One reason for late reporting in Dem races may be long lines. At Travis Elementary, we voted late and there was a long line that didn’t end until after 8 p.m. We were told by the election judge that two precincts were combined at this location with a smaller than usual staff and only four voting machines rather than the usual six. She also told us that Hogg Middle, where the GOP voted, had 10 voting machines. I’m curious about the allocation of resources. Most voters stuck it out, but one had to leave because her kids needed her at home.
Jeff N, the primaries are developed by each party and components such as polling place location, staffing and I presume the number of eSlates at each polling place is determined by them. If you want to voice any concerns, your first call should be to party HQ.
I took the liberty of listing the elections that will require runoffs for voters in Harris County here. Chuck & others, please let me know if I missed anything.
My polling place had both GOP and Democrat elections, and the Democrat official was also loudly telling his voters that their lines were the fault of the fewer machines he had been allocated, but he attributed it to the last gubernatorial election results.
Ramos was pushed by Hotze, Woodfill, and the usual suspects who are still smarting that Simpson unseated Woodfill in the last contest. They argue that Simpson is not loud and focused enough on social issues. Ramos has no depth in party mechanics, or as a grassroots worker, and I am hard pressed to imagine him managing the party’s day to day business or its factions, or even being the spokesman for candidates or issues. He probably would hand things over to Hotze and others and take direction from them, or whatever staff they provide to him. Fundraising would likely dry up. If I were a GOP countywide candidate, this would make me nervous.
Paul,
It’s not about being liberal, conservative or progressive.
It’s just easier to pigeon hole ideas and people by political parties and names
It’s actually called… critical thinking skills.
Something most-all candidates running for office lack.
Where is Steven in Houston?