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 endorsement of former president Donald Trump, dismissed three all comers in former New England Patriot Jake Bequette, who filed a lawsuit 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 represent 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