With a large voter turn out for the General Election,  a long-time U.S. Representative was unseated and funding was approved to address transportation issues in Collin County.

The General Election was conducted Tuesday, Nov. 6 and held few surprises. A Blue Wave ushering Democratic candidates into office failed to materialize, with only a few exceptions.

One of those exceptions was in the race for U.S. Representative, District 32 that pitted long-time Republican incumbent Pete Sessions against Democratic challenger Colin Allred, a civil rights lawyer and former National Football League player. Allred won the office with 142,885 votes (52.16 percent) to 125,600 (45.85 percent) for Sessions.

Allred did not win approval in the Collin County part of the district, but picked up the necessary votes for victory in Dallas County.

Collin County approved all three parts of a $750 million bond election addressing transportation needs to meet a growing population expected to double over the next 25 years.

Proposition A for $600 million received 221,905 (68.63 percent) for votes, Proposition B for $140 million received 221,493 (68.95 percent) for votes and Proposition C for $10 million for parks and open space received 230,923 (71.43 percent) for votes.

Republican Candy Noble received 44,312 votes (59.47 percent) to defeat Democratic nominee Ray Ash, 30,080 votes (40.43 percent), winning election as State Representative, District 89. Noble replaces Jodie Laubenberg who opted to not seek another term.

Elected County Judge was Republican Chris Hill, a former county commissioner, who received 193,168 votes (57.23 percent) to defeat Democratic nominee Danyell Lanier, 144,363 votes (42.77 percent). Current County Judge Keith Self decided to not seek a new term.

Incumbent County Commissioner Cheryl Williams, Precinct 2, received 43,545 votes (55.54 percent) to defeat Democratic challenger Tanner Do, 34,851 votes (44.46 percent).

Incumbent Justice of the Peace Jerry Shaffer, Precinct 2, received 24,509 votes (67.2 percent) to defeat Democratic challenger Dian Engelman, 11,964 votes (32.8 percent) for a second term in office.

Ballots this fall included most of the top state government offices and a high-profile race to represent Texas in the U.S. Senate.

In the U.S. Senate race, GOP incumbent Ted Cruz held off Democratic challenger Beto O’Rourke to win a second term. Cruz received 4.2 million votes (50.89 percent) statewide to 4.01 million (48.32 percent) cast for O’Rourke and 65,034 votes (0.78 percent) for Libertarian Neal M. Dikeman.

Republicans, who hold all statewide offices in Texas, re-elected last week included Gov. Greg Abbott, Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick, Attorney General Ken Paxton, Comptroller Glen Hegar, Land Commissioner George P. Bush, Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller and Railroad Commissioner Christi Craddick.

Winning election to the U.S. House of Representatives, District 3, was Republican Van Taylor with 139,106 votes (54.25 percent) over Democrat Lorie Burch, 112,056 votes (44.05 percent) Taylor is replacing Sam Johnson who decided to retire at the end of the year.

Incumbent U.S. Rep. John Ratcliffe, Republican, handily won re-election in District 4 by earning 188,003 votes (75.69 percent) over Democratic challenger Catherine Krantz, 57,209 votes (23.03 percent).

Winning election to the State Board of Education, District 12, was Republican Pam Little, 333,216 votes (49.46 percent) over Democrat Suzanne Smith, 322,454 votes (47.87 percent).

For State Senate, District 8, GOP nominee Angela Paxton received 169,133 votes (51.18 percent) to beat Democratic nominee Mark Phariss, 161,324 votes (48.81 percent). The office was vacated by Taylor when he entered the U.S. House contests.

Republican nominee Pat Fallon received 228,186 votes (73.69 percent) to win election to State Senate District 30 over Democrat Kevin Lopez who received 81,466 votes (26.3 percent). Fallon defeated incumbent Craig Estes in the GOP Primary earlier this year.

For State Representative, District 33, GOP incumbent Justin Holland received 53,371 votes (65.04 percent) to defeat Democrat Laura Gunn, 28,885 votes (34.95 percent).

Incumbent GOP State Representative Angie Chen Button received 27,031 votes (51.07 percent) to win re-election in District 112 over Brandy Chambers, Democrat, who received 25,891 votes (48.92 percent).

Election turnout in Collin County was 61.15 percent with 355,694 voters casting ballots, numbers that compare with the 2016 presidential election when 366,483 ballots (67.86 percent of registered voters) were cast.

In the 2014 midyear election, 177,821 ballots were cast in Collin County, representing just 36.36 percent of registered voters.

By Joe Reavis • Staff Writer • [email protected]

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