Texas Republicans and Democrats secured nominations for the November midterm elections in runoffs on May 26. This election occurred after the primaries held in March did not result in clear candidates for multiple local and state positions.
These runoff winners will now face their opposing party’s nominee in the general election on Nov. 3.
State Representative for House District 49
Democrat Montserrat Garibay defeated former city council member Kathie Tovo for the House District 49 seat tasked with considering and approving proposed amendments, laws and funding. House District 49 is a voting district in central Austin that covers the UT campus and much of the surrounding area, currently represented by Gina Hinojosa, the democratic nominee for governor.
Garibay, a labor rights activist, served as deputy assistant secretary for the U.S. Department of Education under President Joe Biden. She was born in Mexico and moved to Austin, where she attended Austin Community College and graduated from UT. She advocates for academic freedom, criminal justice reform and gun safety.
Garibay is running “to ensure that every child learns in a fully funded school, every worker earns a fair wage, and every family has the opportunity to thrive,” according to her website.
She will face Green Party candidate Arshia Papari, a government and Middle Eastern studies senior, in the general election.
Lieutenant Governor
State House Rep. Vikki Goodwin, D-Austin, defeated Marcos Vélez, a labor leader from Houston, in the democratic primary runoff for lieutenant governor. Goodwin, a UT alumnus, will face Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick, who has held the position since 2015 and is currently in his third term. Texas lieutenant governors are tasked with presiding over the state senate, forming committees and assigning laws to be discussed.
According to Goodwin’s website, she “champions educational equity and access at all levels.” Some of her planned policies include increasing public school funding, housing affordability and access to healthcare.
United States Senator
Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton defeated three-term incumbent Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas, in the runoff for the Republican nomination for Texas’ U.S. Senate seat. Paxton was elected as attorney general in 2014 after serving 10 years in the Texas legislature.
In 2015, Paxton was indicted on two counts of securities fraud, though the charges were dismissed in 2017. He was also acquitted of 16 articles of impeachment in 2023. Paxton’s platform includes support for stronger border control, conservative values, and increased scrutiny on health and pharmaceutical companies. He will face State Rep. James Talarico in November.
Attorney General
State Sen. Mayes Middleton, R-Galveston, defeated U.S. Rep. Chip Roy, R-Austin, for the Republican nomination for attorney general. The Democratic nominee is State Sen. Nathan Johnson, who defeated Joe Jaworski.
The attorney general is charged with defending the laws and the Constitution of the State of Texas, representing the State in litigation and approving public bond issues. The office is currently held by Ken Paxton, who is running for Senate.
