Polls open for local primary runoffs
County turnout expected to be about 80,000 combined voters
Polls open Tuesday for a small array of Harris County runoffs, including races to nominate a Democratic sheriff candidate and tap a Republican county party chairman.
Aside from judicial contests, the ballot also features two races for state representative, two for constable and one for U.S. representative. Beyond Harris County, candidates for state Railroad Commissioner are slated for a runoff on both sides of the aisle, as are Democrats competing for State Board of Education, District 6.
The projected lowturnout affair has drawn just 49,300 early and mail voters in Harris County — 21,300 Democrats and 28,000 Republicans — down from 217,000 ahead of Super Tuesday.
Harris County Clerk Stan Stanart said he expects total Democratic turnout to hit 34,000 and Republican turnout to reach 45,000.
Polls are open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. To find Harris County voting locations and sample ballots, go to www.harrisvotes.org.
Voters must present valid photo identification to cast a ballot, which can be a Texas driver’s license, an election identification certificate, a personal identification card, a concealed handgun license, a U.S. military identification card, a citizenship certifi-
cate or a passport.
Harris County Democratic runoffs:
• Former Houston City Councilman Ed Gonzalez is facing Constable Lt. Jerome Moore for the sheriff’s nomination, to challenge Republican Sheriff Ron Hickman in November;
• Former legislative aide Kimberly Willis and former Houston city councilman Jarvis Johnson are competing for Mayor Sylvester Turner’s District 139 state House seat, to be unopposed in the general election;
• Constable Chris Diaz seeks to fend off former Galveston sheriff ’s deputy George Goffney, Jr. in Precinct 2, to ultimately face Republican Daniel Vela in November;
• Former Houston police officer Michel Pappillion battles Constable Sgt. Sherman Eagleton in Precinct 3, to run against Republican Dan Webb in November.
Harris County Republican runoffs:
• Harris County Republican Party Chair Paul Simpson is seeking reelection against family lawyer Rick Ramos;
• State Rep. Wayne Smith battles lawyer Briscoe Cain in Baytown’s District 128, to face Libertarian Ken Lowder in the general;
• Reggie Gonzales and Lori Bartley compete in Houston’s 18th congressional district, to ultimately square off against Democratic U.S. Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee in November.
Meanwhile, in Fort Bend County, Democratic state Rep. Ron Reynolds, who currently is appealing a misdemeanor barratry conviction, squares off against businesswoman Angelique Bartholomew.