ELECTION 2022 | Voters choose candidates in high-profile state races

Election Day on Tuesday was a busy one, with area voters choosing candidates in several national and state races in Arkansas and Texas.

Outside the Arkansas gubernatorial primaries, a headliner was the Republican primary for U.S. Senate in Arkansas. Incumbent John Boozman, who received the endorse- ment of former president Donald Trump, dismissed three all comers in former New England Patriot Jake Bequette, who filed a law- suit over the misspelling of his name on ballots in two counties, journalist Jan Morgan and Marine veteran Heath Loftis netted.

Among Democrats, Natalie James beat out Dan Whitfield and Jack E. Foster for a chance to face Boozman in the general election.

In Texas, the partisan runoffs for attorney general were held against the backdrop of a Monday report on the seven-year trial delay for incumbent Ken Paxton, who was indicted on securities fraud charges in 2015. Still, Paxton drew one election closer to a third term by winning his party’s nomination against Texas Land Commissioner George P. Bush.

Rochelle Garza triumphed over Joe Jaworski to repre- sent Democrats for Texas’ top law officer.

The general election is Nov. 8.

See Thursday’s edition of the Gazette for complete election results.

ARKANSAS

The Republican primary for lieutenant governor drew the most candidates of any contested race in Arkansas and Texas. Attorney General Leslie Rutledge was the projected winner by presstime Tueusday. The field also included former state GOP chairman, Doyle Webb, state Sen. Jason Rapert, attorney Chris Bequette (ex-husband of former champion figure skater Debi Thomas), physician Greg Bledsoe and Washington County Judge Joseph Wood.

Kelly Ross Krout is the lone Democratic candidate for lieutenant governor. Libertarian Frank Gilbert clinched his party’s nomination in February.

The following results were as of 11 p.m. Tuesday: Republican Primaries Attorney General: Lieutenant Governor Tim Griffin defeated Leon Jones Jr.

Secretary of State: Incumbent John Thurston defeated Eddie Joe Williams

State Treasurer: State Rep. Mark Lowery defeated state Sen. Matthew W. Pitsch Democratic Primaries Secretary of State: Anna Beth Gorman was leading Josh Price

Nonpartisan Elections State Supreme Court Associate Justice, Pos. 2: Supreme Court Associate Justice Robin Wynne was leading Judge Chris Carnahan and David Sterling

State Supreme Court Associate Justice, Pos. 6: Supreme Court Justice Karen Baker was leading Judge Gunner DeLay

TEXAS

Statewide elections in the Lone Star State were runoffs from the state’s primaries in March – the first of the year in the nation.

Republican Primaries

Land Commissioner: Dawn Buckingham defeated Tim Westley

Railroad Commissioner: Incumbent Wayne Christian defeated Sarah Stogner

Democratic Primaries

Lieutenant Governor: Mike Collier was leading Michelle Beckley

Land Commissioner: Sandragrace Martinez was leading Jay Kleberg

Comptroller: Janet T. Dudding defeated Angel Luis Vega