The early voting numbers are in. In El Paso, early voting numbers normally suggest who wins an election. Because voter turn out is lower this cycle, those who won during the early voting period will likely prevail once the final votes are tabulated. Using the early voting data, El Paso Politics is calling the races as follows.
Although this was a primary to determine who will represent the party, in El Paso Democrats traditionally prevail on Election Day. As such, it our belief that the Democratic Party winners will likely be declared the winners in November.
The marquee race this election cycle is the race of State Representative for District 79. Claudia Ordaz moved out of her district to run against incumbent Art Fierro. Ordaz Perez had been redistricted out of her original district into district 77, currently held by Lina Ortega. Fierro sued to have Ordaz Perez removed from the ballot. The court declined to remove Ordaz Perez from the ballot because Fierro did not prove she did not meet the residency requirements he alleged she violated.
The Democrats
State Representative, District 75
Based on early voting returns, El Paso Politics is calling the race for Claudia Ordaz Perez.
United States Representative, District 16
As expected, El Paso Politics predicts the winner is Veronica Escobar.
State Board of Education, District 1
In the State Board of Education, District 1, El Paso Politics believes a runoff is likely between Melissa Ortega and Laura Marquez.
State Representative District 75
For State Representative District 75, we believe that Mary E. Gonzalez will be the winner.
Court of Appeals Justice, District 8, Place 2
In the race between Lisa Soto and Veronica Teresa Lerma, El Paso Politics believes Lisa Soto will prevail.
District Judge, Judicial District 327
In this four-way race, candidates Chris Anchondo and Monica Velarde Reyes will face off in the runoff.
County Court of Law No. 2
The likely winner, according to early voting data will be Julie Gonzalez.
County Court of Law No. 3
In this race, El Paso Politics believes it is too close to call that will result in a runoff.
County Clerk
In the County Clerk race, Delia Briones will likely keep her seat.
County Commissioner, Precinct 2
According to preliminary data, it is likely that David Stout will be forced into a runoff against Judy Gutierrez.
County Commissioner, Precinct 4
Sergio Coronado and Carl Robinson will face off in the runoffs.
Justice of the Peace, Precinct No. 2
We believe that Brian Haggerty will be the winner once the final votes are counted.
Justice of the Peace, Precinct No. 5
In the Justice of the Peace for Precinct No. 5, El Paso Politics believes it will be a runoff between Lucilla “Lucy” Najera and the incumbent, John-John Chapman.
Justice of the Peace, Precinct No. 6, Place 1
In this race, El Paso Politics calls the race for Ruben Lujan.
Justice of the Peace, Precinct No. 6, Place 2
In the race between Nina Serna and Rosie Dominguez, we are calling the race for Nina Serna.
Justice of the Peace, Precinct No. 7
In this race, El Paso Politics is calling the race for Humberto Enriquez.
Republican Races
For the Republican races, El Paso Politics calls the races as follows. Readers should note that Democrats traditionally win in El Paso in November.
County Commissioner, Precinct No. 4
We believe that Blanca Trout will face David Adams in a runoff.
Justice of Peace, Precinct No. 7
According to early voting data, El Paso Politics predicts the winner to be Ida Baeza Gardner.
El Paso Politics will report the winners tomorrow once the El Paso Elections Department publishes the unofficial results.
