EAST TEXAS (KSLA) — Voters decided a contentious runoff for the Texas House District 1 seat Tuesday (May 28).
Longtime incumbent Gary Vandeaver, a retired educator who is completing his fifth term as a state representative, won re-election against challenger Chris Spencer with 54% of the votes cast Tuesday.
Spencer is a Cass County businessman who had the endorsement of Texas Gov. Greg Abbott.
The vote count was 9,619 for Vandeaver to 8,224 for Spencer.
Unofficially, the voter turnout Tuesday was just under 14%.
During their runoff campaigns, Vandeaver put the focus on the school voucher vote while Spencer stressed border security.
The two Republicans did agree on one thing about the runoff. They are glad it’s over.
Vandeaver, speaking from his watch party in New Boston, said that this was one of the toughest races he’s been involved in but that now he’s focused on what’s ahead. He thanked his friends and supporters and said he ran for re-election because there’s still much work to be done at the state Capitol.
Daingerfield Country Club was packed with supporters for Spencer earlier in the night Tuesday. He said that their campaign began in December, that he was grateful for the support and he congratulated his opponent.
When asked what’s next for him, Spencer said he’s ready to get back to work running his business. He also said he’s uncertain whether there will be any other political endeavors in the future.
Spencer, who was wearing a patch over one eye Tuesday night, also shared with us that he learned he had a detached retina right before the governor came last week.
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