The voters made their voices heard Tuesday in both the Democratic and Republican primary elections with thousands of voters showing up to vote in both early voting and on Election day March 6.  In fact, Democrats in Texas broke the 1 million mark for the Primary turnout making it the first time in 16 years to reach those numbers and only the third time in the past 24 years.

Texas Democratic Party Chair Gilberto Hinojosa said “It’s clear Texas Democrats are fired up, exceeding expectations, and charging forward to November. We’re grateful to so many enthusiastic voters who showed up in full force as well as our terrific candidates who stepped up to serve.”

On the Dallas County Republican side, Chairman Missy Shorey said "Republicans are united in our choices. Looking forward to the upcoming runoff, Tuesday May 22. Democrats had a contentious primary, which drove turnout. I am confident in our ability to support our candidates in November."

Texas Democrats elected a diverse group to run in the November election including Beto O’Rourke who will run against U.S. Senate GOP incumbent Ted Cruz.

In the gubernatorial Democratic race a runoff will take place on May 22 between former Dallas County Sheriff Lupe Valdez and Houston businessman Andrew White and one will run against incumbent Gov. Greg Abbott who won the Republican primary.

With District 109’s 13-term State Representative Helen Giddings not seeking re-election a runoff will take place between former DeSoto Mayor Carl Sherman, who Giddings has openly endorsed and former DeSoto City Councilmember Deshaundra Lockhart.

“We have had two candidates who have risen to the top,” Sherman said of the upcoming runoff election.  “I am honored to be considered further from this race of four and I look forward to healthy debate on the issues that matter to the constituents of District 109.  I am excited as I have the chance to grab the baton and forge onward - fighting for all the constituent of this District in Austin.”

Lockhart said in response to the outcome “I appreciate the vote of confidence as we propel forward to the final runoff election in May from my beloved Southwest Dallas County family of constituents,” Lockhart said. “This victory is because of God and active voters.  The voters of Southwest Dallas County have made the request known that they want me to represent District 109 in Austin.”

Giddings said after Tuesday night's Primary “Carl ran a positive campaign focused on issues that concerned all Texans, but particularly District 109.”

State Representative Giovanni Caprigilone took the GOP primary for State Rep in District 98.

In the Republican race for State House District 114, Republican Lisa Luby Ryan took that race in an upset beating out incumbent Jason Villalba.

Rep. Sam Johnson, R-Plano is leaving his seat after 26 years in Texas’ 3rd Congressional District, which includes McKinney, Plano, Frisco and the Collin County portion of Dallas. A second Sam Johnson is vying for that seat against Adam P. Bell, Lorie Burch and Medrick Yhap. For the Republican’s Van Taylor, formerly in the Texas Senate seat is running alongside Alex Donkervoet and David Niederkorn.

In the 5th Congressional District serving a wide area including southeast Dallas County as well as Anderson, Cherokee, Henderson and Kaufman counties, there will be a runoff between Republicans Lance Gooden and Bunni Pounds.

Joe Barton, R-Ennis is stepping down from his U.S. House 6th District seat leaving the stage open for Democrats Ruby Faye Woolridge and Jana Lynne Sanchez who will face a runoff and Ron Wright and J.K. Ellzey on the Republican side.

Pete Sessions sits in the U.S. House 32nd District seat and he will face either Democrats Colin Allred or Lillian Salerno after they vie for the spot in May. 

For the state Senate seat in District 10 Democratic nominee Beverly Powell will be facing off against Republican incumbent Konni Burton come November.

And one more win for the Democratic party, Interim Dallas County Sheriff Marian Brown, who was voted into that position by the Dallas County Commissioners when Valdez quit to run for governor will run against Republican nominee Deputy Aaron Meek in November. Brown squared off against challenger Constable Roy Williams, but easily took the lead.