Super Tuesday in Travis County

As polls for the March 1 joint primary election close at 7pm, we’ll be watching the returns all night in contested Democratic races, plus select GOP races. Follow the Chronicle's News team on Twitter with the hashtag #ACvotes, and find more election coverage in Thursday’s print edition.

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12:45am: We've dispatched our last of the night. Thanks for staying up with us. More election coverage tomorrow and in Thursday's print issue.

Speaker Joe Straus survives yet another Empower Texans-backed attempt to remove him #ACvotes #txlege #SuperTuesday pic.twitter.com/D1JIG3aR1P

— Richard Whittaker (@YorkshireTX) March 2, 2016

Sampson says he's feeling "very, very good... I'm prepared and ready to go" as TravisCo Comm Pct 1 #ACvotes

— Amy Kamp (@amyleekramp) March 2, 2016

UT boxes reporting shifts Fischer from 8% of e-day turnout to 13% in #hd49. Still not enough to force run-off, but significant #ACvotes

— Richard Whittaker (@YorkshireTX) March 2, 2016

Interesting swap in Travis co: EV - Clinton 51.6%, Sander 47.9%. E-day, Clinton 45.7%, Sander 53.9% #ACvotes

— Richard Whittaker (@YorkshireTX) March 2, 2016

Biggest vote winners in Travis County? Dem: Sanders, 64,143. GOP: Melissa Goodwin, 3rd Court of Appeals, 45,677. #ACvotes

— Richard Whittaker (@YorkshireTX) March 2, 2016

Lowest polling candidate in Travis County? GOP presidential hopeful Elizabeth Gray, who seemingly had 25 friends here #ACvotes

— Richard Whittaker (@YorkshireTX) March 2, 2016

Robert Morrow, who besieges journos with sex conspiracy theories emails about everyone from LBJ to Perry, now Travis Co GOP chair #ACvotes

— Richard Whittaker (@YorkshireTX) March 2, 2016

Respected ex-state rep Lon Burnam not making the Dem railroad commission runoff re-enforces idea Texans can't have nice things #ACvotes

— Richard Whittaker (@YorkshireTX) March 2, 2016

Sally Hernandez wins the Democratic nomination for @TravisCoSheriff. Over 50% of the vote with all precincts reporting. #ACvotes

— Nina Hernandez (@neenthirteen) March 2, 2016

Final results in and it looks like Sampson's made it to the Travis Co Commish Pct 1 runoff by less than a percentage point. #ACvotes

— Amy Kamp (@amyleekramp) March 2, 2016

It's a difference of 138 votes for 2nd place in TravisCo Comm Pct 1 race, of course OFFICIAL count not in yet #ACvotes

— Amy Kamp (@amyleekramp) March 2, 2016

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12am: The latest Travis County numbers on some of the races still in play. 187 of 190 precincts reporting.

Texas Democratic Primary: Travis County

Sheriff
Sally Hernandez 57,075 / 50.78%
Todd Radford 24,136 / 21.47%
Don X. Rios 20,974 / 9.09%

County Commissioner, Pct. 1
Jeff Travillion 9,681 / 41.85%
James Nortey 4,179 / 18.07%
Arthur Sampson 4,278 / 18.49%

Constable, Pct. 1
Danny Thomas 5,973 / 37.39%
Rick Schumacher 4,024 / 25.19%
Janie Serna 5,976 / 37.41%

Texas Republican Primary: Travis County

District 24, State Senator
Jon Cobb 1,182  / 14.65%
Brent Mayes 782  / 9.69%
Susan King 1,215 / 15.06%
Dawn Buckingham 3,514 / 43.54%

Place 5, Judge, Court of Criminal Appeals
Mary Lou Keel 21,836 / 42.25%
Ray Wheless 17,512 / 33.89%
Chris Oldner 12,331 / 23.86%

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11:47pm: Between conversations with Sally Hernandez supporters and foraging sessions at the snack table, District 4 Council Member Greg Casar named his reasons for supporting the Precinct 3 constable. Not only has she been insistent that she'll sever the relationship between the office and the Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency (ICE), but she's also spent time on the ground engaging the community on the issue, he explained. "I think over the next few months I and others will be working to support her in coming up with a strategy to separate local law enforcement from immigration officials," Casar said. – Nina Hernandez

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11:30pm:

Hernandez looking to avoid a run-off in the sheriff's race. Sitting at 50.88% (52,329) with 160 of 190 precincts reporting. #ACvotes

— Nina Hernandez (@neenthirteen) March 2, 2016

Caught up with Huey Rey Fischer. Still processing tonight's events, but his takeaway after UT long lines is that students vote #ACvotes

— Richard Whittaker (@YorkshireTX) March 2, 2016

Sampson now ahead of Nortey by an entire percentage point in Travis Co Comm. Pct. 1 race. #ACvotes

— Amy Kamp (@amyleekramp) March 2, 2016

Regardless of who's in the runoff against him, Travillion appears confident of his place, discussing Pct 1 concerns in detail #ACvotes

— Amy Kamp (@amyleekramp) March 2, 2016

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11:18pm: Precinct No. 1 Constable race is neck and neck between incumbent Danny Thomas and challenger Janie Serna:
Danny Thomas 5,573 / 38.09%
Janie Serna 5,527 / 37.77%
Rick Schumacher 3,533 / 24.14%

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11:11pm: In the race for second place for Precinct No. 1’s County Commissioner, Arthur Sampson extends lead over James Nortey, 4,032 votes (18.87%) to Nortey’s 3,753 (17.56%). Jeff Travillion solidly in first place with 8,887 votes (41.58%). 160 of 190 precincts reporting.

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11:01pm: The Republican primary ballot included four propositions which could inform party platform. The numbers so far:

1) “replace the property tax system with an alternative other than an income tax and require voter approval to increase the overall tax burden” (yes: 66.80%, no: 33.20%)
2) “Texas cities and counties should be required to comply with federal immigration laws or be penalized by loss of state funds” (yes: 67.26%, no: 32.74%)
3) “Texas should prohibit governmental entities from collecting dues for labor unions through deductions from public employee paychecks” (yes: 82.51%, no: 17.49%)
4) Texas – state and citizens both – should “strongly assert” states’ rights as granted under the 10th Amendment. (yes: 90.22%, no: 9.78%)

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10:45pm:

Five referenda votes were on the Democratic ballot – calling for a workers’ rights package, criminal justice reform legislation, a renewable energy push, support of the Voting Rights Advancement Act in Congress, allowing public universities to opt out of the open campus carry law, and immigration reform – and Dem voters voted emphatically to support all platforms. The campus carry vote saw the most resistance, with (as of now) 90.30% of voters supporting the idea that public universities should be allowed to opt out of campus carry.

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10:36pm: With 111 of 190 precincts reporting, latest numbers in Sheriff’s race:

Todd Radford 18,263 / 21.57%
Don X. Rios 15,758 / 18.61%
John Sisson 7,881 / 9.31%
Sally Hernandez 42,753 / 50.5%

Radford campaign "remains hopeful," say outstanding precincts are where they "worked the hardest." #ACvotes

— Nina Hernandez (@neenthirteen) March 2, 2016

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10:29pm: Jeff Travillion holds onto lead in the Precinct No. 1 County Commissioner Democratic Party race, but second place is still up for grabs, with Arthur Sampson (18.26%) nudging ahead of James Nortey (18.20%); just 10 votes separate the candidates.

Sampson has inched ahead Nortey in latest Pct. 1 results, will he make it to the runoff? #ACvotes

— Amy Kamp (@amyleekramp) March 2, 2016

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10:26pm:

Commish Shea spotted at Travillion's party, crowd at one point broke into shouts of "Jeff! Jeff!" for the Pct. 1 frontrunner. #acvotes

— Amy Kamp (@amyleekramp) March 2, 2016

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10:14pm: Latest returns put HD 49 Dem candidate in decisive lead with 56.90% of vote; Heather Way following with 19.01% and Huey Rey Fischer with 13.71%.

Gina Hinojosa grabs quick bite after building big lead in HD49 #ACvotes pic.twitter.com/yQkxUPB4l3

— Richard Whittaker (@YorkshireTX) March 2, 2016

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10:12pm: Latest election results put sheriff candidate Sally Hernandez over the 50% mark.

Hernandez hugs her son as the results are announced. 50.21%. #ACvotes pic.twitter.com/xaNCXlwtvF

— Nina Hernandez (@neenthirteen) March 2, 2016

D4 CM Greg Cesar just left Hernandez party. Cites her immigration position as reason for support. #ACvotes

— Nina Hernandez (@neenthirteen) March 2, 2016

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10:06pm: Looks like District 47 State Rep. Paul Workman is holding off his GOP primary competitor, Jay Wiley, earning 8,317 (60.38%) votes to Wiley’s 5,458 (39.62%).

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9:58pm: Tamara Needles is posting strong numbers in her bid to take incumbent state district judge Jim Coronado’s seat on the bench in the 450th Judicial District. Latest results, with 63 of 190 precincts accounted for, place her at 58.75% (37,964 votes) of the vote, compared to Coronado’s 41.25% (26,654).

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9:47pm:

In the Precinct No. 1 County Commissioner Democratic Party race and with 38 of 190 precincts reporting, Jeff Travillion leads the field with 43.06%; James Nortey (18.59%) and Arthur Sampson (18.35%) in a battle for second place.

Pct. 1 race second place appears to be getting hot, with Nortey and Sampson neck and neck in latest results. #ACvotes

— Amy Kamp (@amyleekramp) March 2, 2016

Nortey, at Hoover's, is looking toward a runoff, saying "People are looking for new energy and we're going to deliver." #ACvotes

— Amy Kamp (@amyleekramp) March 2, 2016

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9:40pm: D.A. front runner Margaret Moore addresses supporters:

Margaret Moore addresses her crowd now that the first batch of today's totals come in, increasing her lead #acvotes pic.twitter.com/zSG0YBlGnx

— Chase Hoffberger (@hoffberger) March 2, 2016

9:35pm: With 22 precincts now reporting Election Day ballots cast, Sally Hernandez builds on her lead, picking up 999 votes for Sheriff and stretching her total percentage of the vote to 49.37%. Closest competitor Todd Radford comes in at 21.58%. [updated to reflect latest election results]

Radford is "so new" to campaigning he didn't know what to expect, he says. Credits staffers for making it this far. #ACvotes

— Nina Hernandez (@neenthirteen) March 2, 2016

Radford on supporters: "My disappointment tonight if we didn't do well would be more for them than myself." @TravisCoSheriff #ACvotes

— Nina Hernandez (@neenthirteen) March 2, 2016

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9:26pm:

2 hours after cut-off and line still round the corner on UT campus #acvotes pic.twitter.com/TYK8G7OowE

— Richard Whittaker (@YorkshireTX) March 2, 2016

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9:21pm: The Travis County Clerk's office has just issued is first election day voting numbers, with 8 (of 190) precincts counted – 4.21% of the total locations reporting.

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9:13pm: More from District Attorney candidate Gary Cobb:

Cobb not ready to concede yet; expects clearer pictures once results begin trickling in within half hour #acvotes

— Chase Hoffberger (@hoffberger) March 2, 2016

Interesting side note: one APD vet tells Chron that large contingent of rank-and-file wanted Cobb over Moore. #acvotes

— Chase Hoffberger (@hoffberger) March 2, 2016

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8:56pm: Staff writer Richard Whittaker is tracking the HD 49 race to succeed the retiring Elliott Naishtat.

Huey Rey Fischer not at his election party yet - still working the 500+ voters in line at UT campus cc @ACNewsdesk

— Richard Whittaker (@YorkshireTX) March 2, 2016

"This was the right fight to fight" I'm told by source close to Fischer campaign cc @ACNewsdesk

— Richard Whittaker (@YorkshireTX) March 2, 2016

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8:48pm: After early voting, D.A. candidate Gary Cobb pulled just 33.4% of the vote, compared to Margaret Moore's 60.99%.

Across the river at El Sol y La Luna for Gary Cobb's watch party. Morale still high despite early figures #acvotes pic.twitter.com/Rkf8aIBb2o

— Chase Hoffberger (@hoffberger) March 2, 2016

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8:45pm: Travis County Sheriff candidate Todd Radford, currently trailing opponent Sally Hernandez, pointing out there are a lot of votes still to be counted:

Todd Radford still optimistic: "It's very early; there's no precincts reporting. We're hoping we can push this to a run-off." #ACvotes

— Nina Hernandez (@neenthirteen) March 2, 2016

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8:39pm:

Festive @ Threadgill's, where democratic DA candidate Margaret Moore enjoys 2-to-1 EV lead over Gary Cobb #acvotes pic.twitter.com/JG0tfjoMu5

— Chase Hoffberger (@hoffberger) March 2, 2016

Third candidate Rick Reed is here. He tells Chron he chose to fold two weeks ago, voted this morning for Moore, not himself. #acvotes

— Chase Hoffberger (@hoffberger) March 2, 2016

Moore holding comment until more results come in, but says she's excited, somewhat surprised, by EV numbers. #acvotes

— Chase Hoffberger (@hoffberger) March 2, 2016

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8:25pm: Assistant News Editor Nina Hernandez is at Travis County Sheriff candidate Sally Hernandez's watch party. Hernandez leads the race after early voting with 48.75%.

"I have to sit for a minute," says Sally Hernandez. Looks giddy at prospect of avoiding runoff #ACvotes pic.twitter.com/qbXyuPSH4j

— Nina Hernandez (@neenthirteen) March 2, 2016

Hopeful mood at @SallyForSheriff's watch party. "Just waiting to see how the night progresses." #ACvotes pic.twitter.com/uTS2nRlyYb

— Nina Hernandez (@neenthirteen) March 2, 2016

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8:13pm: How about this blast from the past: the Chronicle's 2013 Ted Cruz Halloween mask cover.

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Thank you Texas! #ChooseCruz https://t.co/pjxDblMwoG

— Ted Cruz (@tedcruz) March 2, 2016

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8:05pm: CNN and MSNBC are both projecting wins for Clinton and Cruz in Texas.

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7:42pm: Statewide early voting tallies show Hillary Clinton with a strong lead in the Democratic Party presidential primary – 124,053 votes (68.28%) versus Bernie Sanders’ 53,870 votes (29.65%).

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Don't expect early voting results soon in Travis County - still a line out the door at Ben Hur Shriner cc @ACNewsdesk @AustinChronicle

— Richard Whittaker (@YorkshireTX) March 2, 2016

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7:30pm: Early voting numbers in Travis County’s Republican presidential primary put Rubio, Trump, and Cruz in a close race.

Ted Cruz      8,844   27.81%
Donald Trump      8,788   27.63%
Marco Rubio      9,238   29.05%

But Texan Ted Cruz has a more commanding early lead in the statewide count:

Ted Cruz      94,288   39.56%
Donald Trump      67,806   28.45%
Marco Rubio      45,189   18.96%

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7:06pm: At 7pm, the Elections Division of the Travis County Clerk's Office issued the early voting numbers for today’s joint primary.

Texas Democratic Primary

President
Hillary Clinton      31,395   51.54%
Bernie Sanders      29,204   47.94%
Martin J. O’Malley     137   0.22%
Keith Judd     21   0.03%
Roque “Rocky” De La Fuente     65 0.11%
Willie L. Wilson     49   0.08%
Calvis L. Hawes     20   0.03%
Star Locke     27   0.04%

U.S. Rep. District 10
Scot B. Gallaher     5,531   46.29%
Tawana W. Cadien     6,417   53.71%

U.S. Rep. District 21
Tejas Vakil     4,894   40.92%
Tom Wakely     7,066   59.08%

Railroad Commissioner
Grady Yarbrough     14,480   31.35%
Cody Garrett     13,065   28.29%
Lon Burnam     x18,638   40.36%

State Rep. District 49
Aspen Dunaway     394   2.93%
Kenton D. Johnson     237   1.76%
Heather Way     2,579   19.16%
Gina Hinojosa     7,457   55.40%
Blake Rocap     405   3.01%
Matthew Shrum     313   2.33%
Huey Rey Fischer     2,075   15.42%

District Judge, 345th Judicial District
Jan Soifer     28,785   60.66%
Melissa Mather     18,669   39.34%

District Judge, 427th Judicial District
Jim Coronado*     20,259   41.65%
Tamara Needles     28,381   58.35%

District Judge, 450th Judicial District
Brad Urrutia     26,562   54.77%
Chantal Melissa Eldridge     21,931   45.23%

Travis County

District Attorney
Gary Cobb     16,390   33.04%
Margaret Moore     30,253   60.99%
Rick Reed     2,960   5.97%

Sheriff
Todd Radford     11,193   21.98%%
Don X. Rios     9,980   19.60%
John Sisson     4,926   9.67%
Sally Hernandez     24,823   48.75%

County Commissioner, Pct. 1
Jeff Travillion     4,440   44.56%%
James Nortey     1,945   19.52%
Arthur Sampson     1,710   17.16%
Richard Franklin III     1,004   10.08%
Marc Hoskins     865   8.68%

Constable, Pct. 1
Danny Thomas*     2,769   40.79%
Rick Schumacher     1,754   25.84%
Janie Serna     2,266   33.38%

Constable, Pct. 3
Anthony “AJ” Johnson     4,590   33.06%
Stacy Suits     9,293   66.94%

Constable, Pct. 4
George Morales III     3,591   57.68%
Manuel Jimenez     2,635   42.32%

Texas Republican Primary

President
Ted Cruz 8,844   27.81%
Donald Trump 8,788   27.63%
Marco Rubio 9,238   29.05%

U.S. Rep. District 17
Kaleb Sims 238 / 9.28%
Ralph Patterson 969 / 37.76%
Bill Flores 1,359 / 52.96%

U.S. Rep. District 21
Matt McCall 1,363 / 23.49%
Todd Phelps 614 / 10.58%
Lamar Smith 3,416 / 58.88
John Murphy 409 / 7.05%

State Rep. District 47
Paul Workman 6,653 / 59.68%
Jay Wiley 4,502 / 40.32%

County Commissioner, Pct. 3
Gerald Daugherty 9,153 / 74.18%
Jason Nassour 3,186 / 25.82%

Railroad Commissioner
Ron Hale 3,237 / 14.75%
Dough Jeffrey 2,102 / 9.58%
Gary Gates 4,089 / 18.63%
Wayne Christian 4,602 / 20.96%
Weston Martinez 2,301 / 10.48%
John Greytok 2,395 / 10.91%
Lance N. Christian 3,226 / 14.70%

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6:06pm: Early voting was sluggish in Travis County, with total turnout of 92,914 (14.45%). That's a drop of over 22,000 since 2008, the last time there was a competitive presidential primary in both the Democratic and Republican parties. However, while Democratic turnout dropped by almost 36,000, Republican early voting participation in Travis County was actually up by nearly 14,000 – potentially a reflection of much greater energy and conflict in the GOP presidential primary. Read more in "Early Voting Low, Election Day Energized." – Richard Whittaker