Denton County could be in for a surprise if early voting results are an indication for the rest of the results.
Democrats are nearly tied, if not leading, in many Denton County races as the first early voting results came in shortly after 7 p.m.
In the Republican primary, United States Representative Brandon Gill declared victory shortly after early voting results were released. That won’t be the case for the general election.
Gill still leads Democratic opponent Steven Shook, but by less than 5,000 votes of the 232,676 that have been tallied.
Gill has 117,259 votes (50.40%) and Shook has 112,985 (48.56%). Libertarian Phil Gray holds the remaining 2,432 votes (1.05%)
Texas House
At the state level, incumbent Republican Richard Hayes leads narrowly leads the race to represent Texas House District 57 with 29,702 votes (50.79%), with Democrat Ray Stith following closely with 27,562 votes (47.13%).
Libertarian Darren Hamilton lags behind with 1,221 votes (2.09%).
Incumbent Republican Ben Bumgarner trails in the race to represent Texas House District 63 with 27,938 votes (47.49%). Democrat Denise Wooten leads with 30,894 votes (52.51%).
Similarly, Democrat Julie Evans leads incumbent Republican Andy Hopper in the race to represent Texas House District 64 with 20,741 votes (57.11%) and 15,579 votes (42.89%), respectively.
Incumbent Republican Mitch Little leads in the race for Texas House District 65 with 37,358 votes (51.68%) over Democrat Detrick DeBurr, who has 34,926 votes (48.32%).
County Judge, Commissioners
Current Denton County Judge Andy Eads is ahead of Democratic opponent Nick Pappas, but just barely, according to early results.
Eads holds 141,522 votes (50.31%) versus Pappas’ 139,799 (49.69%).
In the race for County Commissioner Precinct No. 4, David Wylie holds a fairly commanding lead with 42,921 votes (57.19%) over Democratic opponent Stephanie Draper, who has 32,130 votes (42.81%).
For County Commissioner Precinct No. 2, Republican incumbent Kevin Falconer is lagging behind with 31,858 votes (46.63%). Democratic opponent Candace Valenzuela has 36,466 votes (53.37%).
Local propositions
Early voting results have Double Oak’s proposition to approve alcohol sales within town limits on track to not pass with 861 votes against (55.26%) and 697 votes for (44.74%).
Voters in Bartonville, Flower Mound and Justin will consider whether to reauthorize existing local sales taxes dedicated to street maintenance and repairs.
Bartonville:
- 621 votes FOR (82.69%)
- 130 votes AGAINST (17.31%)
Flower Mound:
- 20,047 votes FOR (76.59%)
- 6,129 votes AGAINST (23.41%)
Justin:
- 1,920 votes FOR (72.26%)
- 737 votes AGAINST (27.74%)
Statewide races
In the biggest race for Texas voters, Denton County is bucking its normal trend.
Early voting results indicate Denton County voters are supporting Democrat James Talarico, who has 157,339 votes (53.64%) compared to Republican Ken Paxton, who has 131,505 votes (44.83%) in the race for United States Senator.
Libertarian candidate Ted Brown leads third-party candidates with 4,309 votes, or 1.47% of the total.
In the race for governor, incumbent Republican Greg Abbott is trailing Democrat opponent Gina Hinojosa.
Abbott has 140,243 votes from Denton County (47.74%) and Hinojosa has 149,791 (50.99%).
Libertarian candidate Pat Dixon has 3,565 Denton County votes (1.21%), and leads the parties outside of the big two.
Democrat Vikki Goodwin leads in the race for Lieutenant Governor among Denton County voters with 147,159 votes (50.30%). Republican Dan Patrick has 139,164 votes (47.57%).
In the race for attorney general, Democrat Nathan Johnson leads in Denton County with 147,795 votes (50.85%) over Republican Mayes Middleton, who has 139,082 (47.86%).
Railroad Commissioner (Denton County votes):
- Dem Jon Rosenthal – 146,354 (50.58%)
- Rep Bo French – 137,848 (47.64%)
Comptroller (Denton County votes):
- Dem Sarah Eckhardt – 144,391 (49.60%)
- Rep Don Huffines – 140,957 (48.42%)
State Board of Education, District 14:
- Dem Amy Taylor – 132,472 (51.73%)
- Rep Mindy Bumgarner – 123,616 (48.27%)
Check back later tonight for full election results.
