Whitmire wins race for County Judge

Milam County will see an almost complete remake of county leadership come January.

Voters went to the polls in high numbers and elected a new county judge and commissioners.

Former Milam County Republican Party Chair Bill Whitmire defeated incumbent County Judge Steve Young in a heated, close race on Tuesday. Whitmire won 2,163 votes to Young’s 2,017.

A runoff is coming for Precinct 2 Commissioner. James Denman scored 47 percent of the vote in the race with 391 votes. He will face Doug Baker in a runoff. Baker took 239 and Dude Ferris had 195. 

The Precinct 4 race was won by Wesley Payne, who had 646 votes to Johnny Andrews’ 363.

About eight percent more voters turned out for this Primary Election than in 2018, though it still fell short of the 2020 Primary when 35 percent of voters cast a ballot. 

In total a little less than 5,000 total votes were cast in the 2022 Primary, or about 30 percent of registered voters. 

Milam County voters also overwhelmingly agreed with all 10 GOP propositions. 

Milam County chose Pete Sessions as the GOP candidate for US Representative for District 17 with over 72 percent of the vote. That matches the rest of the district that voted on the GOP ticket. 

Unopposed candidates earning re-election are Justices of the Peace Gary Northcott, Andy Isaacs, Sam Berry, and Greg Hoelscher; County Treasurer Linda Acosta; District Clerk Karen Berry; County Clerk Jodi Morgan; and Sheriff Mike Clore. 

In the District 17 Texas House race, the GOP nomination will come to a runoff between Stan Gerdes and Paul Pape.

All results are unofficial until canvassed and certified.

Winning GOP nominations statewide are incumbent Ag Commissioner Sid Miller, incumbent Comptroller Glenn Hegar, incumbent Lt. Governor Dan Patrick, and incumbent Governor Greg Abbott. 

Incumbent Attorney General Ken Paxton is headed for a runoff with George P. Bush. 

In the race to replace Bush as Land Commissioner, there will be a runoff with Dawn Buckingham leading the way and Tim Westley behind by a fair margin. 

A runoff is also expected for Railroad Commissioner where incumbent Wayne Christian took 47 percent of the vote and will square off again with Sarah Stogner. 

Democratic wins included Susan Hays for Ag Commissioner, Beto O`Rourke for Governor, and Luke Warford for Railroad Commissioner. 

Runoffs will be held for Lt. Governor between Mike Collier and Michelle Beckley; for Land Commissioner with Sandra Grace Martinez and Jay Kleberg; for Comptroller with Janet Dudding and Angel Vega; and Attorney General between Rochelle Garza and Joe Jaworski. 

Taking the Democratic nomination for House District 13 is Cedric Davis, who easily defeated Cuevas Peacock. The Republican spot was too close to call with Angelia Orr leading over Dennis Wilson. 

Incumbent District 12 State House Rep Kyle Kacal is likely headed to a runoff in taking 48 percent of the vote and will face Ben Bius in May. 

A runoff is also expected for the nomination for the GOP slot for State Senate District 24 as Pete Flores nabbed 46 percent of the vote over Raul Reyes and Lamar Lewis. 

The Democratic side showed Kathy Jones Hospod with a healthy margin over Jeremy Kohlwes. 

District 17 US House Rep. Pete Sessions easily won the nod again on the GOP ticket and will face Mary Jo Woods in November. 

Incumbent US Rep. for District 31 John Carter turned aside two challengers to win the nomination again. 

Runoff elections will take place in May.