Hays County Democratic and Republican voters made their choices on who will appear on the Nov. 3 ballot in the July 16 runoff elections, although turnout fell short of what many had anticipated.
According to the Hays County Elections Office, the runoffs, which were postponed from May due to the COVID-19 pandemic, drew just 12.93 percent of the county’s registered voters.
Results are unofficial until they are can be canvassed by the Commissioners Court.
On the Democratic side, Mary “MJ” Hegar defeated Royce West by a statewide vote of 498,180 (52.13 percent) to 457,555 votes 47.87 percent) in the race for U.S. Senator. In Hays County, her win was even bigger, with 7,364 (74.79 percent) of the vote compared to 2,482 (25.21 percent) for West.
Hegar will face Republican John Cornyn in the fall.
In the race for the Democratic candidate for the Texas Railroad Commission, Chrysta Castaeneda garnered 575,460 votes (61.95 percent) compared to 353-399 (38.05 percent) for her opponent Roberto R. “Beto” Alonzo.
In Hays County, Castaneda drew 6,396 votes (66.86 percent), while Alonzo got 3,170 votes (33.14 percent).
Castaneda faces Republican Jim Wright in November.
In the last race on the Democratic ballot, Donna Haschke won with 5,715 votes (60.57 percent) to 3,720 votes (39.43 percent) for Angela “Tia Angie” Villescaz.
On the Republican ballot, for State Rep. District 45 (Hays and Blanco counties), Carrie Isaac won with 6,420 votes 64.87 percent) compared to 3,476 (35.13 percent) for Kent “Bud” Wymore. In Hays County, Isaac captured 58,508 votes (63.79 percent) to Wymore’s 3,126 (36.21 percent).
Isaac will face Democratic incumbent Erin Zwiener in the general election.
Lani Popp easily defeated Robert Morrow in the race for the Republican candidate for the State Board of Education District 5. Popp garnered 55,670 votes statewide (77.94 percent) compared to Morrow’s 15,756 votes (22.06 percent). In Hays County Popp dew 6,081 votes (7.16 percent) compared to 2,199 (25.84 percent) for Morrow.
Rounding out the GOP ballot was Jenny Garcia Sharon, who edged out “Guillermo” William Hayward for U.S. Rep. District 35. Sharon got 4,111 votes statewide (53.08 percent) compared to 3,634 (46.92 percent) for Hayward. The Hays County vote went to Sharon by a margin of 789 (50.87 percent) to 762 (49.13 percent).
