No. 45 is No. 47, too
Editor’s note: These are unofficial election results.. Excerpts from the Texas Tribune and The Texan have been used and marked as such.
In the early morning hours of Wednesday, Nov. 6, Republican Donald Trump was declared the winner of the U.S. presidency over Democrat Kamala Harris.
But, it didn’t take that long in Texas or Limestone County. Texas declared its 40 electoral votes for Trump about 10 p.m. on Election Day.
In a display of civic engagement, early voting in Limestone County achieved 47% (6883 votes) early voter turnout, and the overall participation reached 63% on Election Day, with an additional 2,232 voters casting their ballots.
In the presidential race, Donald J. Trump and running mate JD Vance dominated the ballot, garnering 7,075 votes, translating to a substantial 77.88%. Kamala D. Harris and Tim Walz received 1,920 votes, or 21.13%, while the remaining candidates – Chase Oliver, Jill Stein, and write-in options – totaled less than 1% combined.
The US Senate race saw Ted Cruz earning 6,816 votes (75.64%) against Colin Allred, who received 2,044 votes (22.68%). In the U.S. Representative District 17 contest, Pete Sessions claimed victory with 7,041 votes, representing 79.56% of the total.
At the end of election day, Limestone County had a 63% turnout overall with 2,232 voters on election day.
Jennifer Southard, Limestone County Elections administrator, expressed her gratitude for the enormous turnout, attributing a significant portion of the numbers to early voting.
Early voting returns in the county showed that 6,883 total votes were cast before election day in Limestone County. The majority of those votes were in favor of Donald J. Trump (5,340 votes, 77.83%) and Ted Cruz (5,180 votes, 76.08%).
“Limestone Voter turnout was amazing, especially for early voting, we had a total of 47% in our county for early voting,” stated Limestone County Elections Administrator Jennifer Southard, “We had a wonderful turnout, early voting was a lot of that in our local numbers, which is wonderful. Thank you to Limestone County Election workers and all of those who helped make this election a success.”
The unofficial results from the Limestone County Election Office reflect the county's preferences across several races, showcasing a strong showing for Republican candidates in federal and state contests.
Donald Trump wins Texas’ 40 electoral votes
Texas voters went for Donald Trump on Tuesday, according to The Associated Press. This gave the Republican nominee the state’s 40 electoral votes and continued its streak of going red in every presidential election since it went for Jimmy Carter in 1976.
Neither candidate has reached the 270 electoral votes necessary to clinch the race as of Groesbeck Journal press time.
*From the Texas Tribune (www.texastribune.org) Trump wins Texas 40 electoral
Cruz declares win over Allred
U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz declared victory over U.S. Rep. Colin Allred on Tuesday, defying another spirited and well-funded effort to turn Texas blue and preserving his status as a leading conservative voice in American politics.
"The results tonight, this decisive victory, should shake the Democrat establishment to its core," he said in a speech to supporters at his campaign watch party in downtown Houston.
*From the Texas Tribune (www.texastribune.org) Cruz wins over Allred
State Races
In state races, Christi Craddick prevailed in the Railroad Commissioner position, securing 6,638 votes (75.53%). The Justice Supreme Court races also leaned heavily Republican, with Jimmy Blacklock receiving 6,936 votes (78.97%) for Place 2 and John Devine earning 6,860 votes (78.45%) for Place 4.
The results for Place 6 showed Jane Bland winning with 6,722 votes (76.70%). Meanwhile, in key appellate positions, David J. Schenck and Gina Parker secured majorities for Judge of the Court of Criminal Appeals, each gathering around 77% of the votes.
Uncontested County Races
Several county positions were unopposed, with Jeff Janes becoming County Attorney and Murray Agnew winning the Sheriff's race. The role of County Tax Assessor-Collector went to Stacy Hall, and several precinct Commissioner and Constable positions were filled without opposition.
Axtell ISD Elections
In the Axtell Independent School District's election, Joe ‘Scooter’ Bays emerged as the lead contender during early voting with 29 votes. Ultimately, he further solidified his position with a total of 74 votes on election day. Other notable results included Stephanie Amy and Brian Frankum tying at 58 votes each, while Joseph Carl Reinke garnered 56 votes.
The unofficial results reported by the Limestone County Election Office were;
Federal Races
President/ VP
Donald J. Trump/ JD Vance 7,075 votes 77.88 percent
Kamala D. Harris/ Tim Walz 1,920 votes 21.13 percent
Chase Oliver/ Mike ter Maat 44 votes .48 percent
Jill Stein/ Rudolph Ware 23 votes .25 percent
Write-In 23 votes .25 percent
US Senate
Ted Cruz 6,816 votes 75.64 percent
Colin Allred 2,044 votes 22.68 percent
Ted Brown 142 votes 1.58 percent
Write-In 9 votes .10 percent
US Rep. District 17
Pete Sessions 7,041 votes 79.56 percent
Mark Lorenzen 1,809 votes 20.44 percent
State Races
Railroad Commissioner
Christi Craddick 6,638 votes 75.53 percent
Katherine Culbert 1,761 votes 20.04 percent
Hawk Dunlap 272 votes 3.09 percent
Eddie Espinosa 115 votes 1.31 percent
Justice Supreme Court, Place 2
Jimmy Blacklock 6,936 votes 78.97 percent
DeSean Jones 1,847 votes 21.03 percent
Justice Supreme Court, Place 4
John Devine 6860 votes 78.45percent
Christine Vinh Weems 1,884 votes 21.56 percent
Justice Supreme Court, Place 6
Jane Bland 6,722 votes 76.70 percent
Bonnie Lee Goldstein 1,826 votes 20.84 percent
J. David Roberson 216 votes 2.46 percent
Presiding Judge, Court of Criminal Appeals
David J. Schenck 6,816 votes 77.92 percent
Holly Taylor 1,931 votes 22.08 percent
Judge, Court of Criminal Appeals, Place 7
Gina Parker 6,877 votes 78.85 percent
Nancy Mulder 1,845 votes 21.15 percent
Judge, Court of Criminal Appeals, Place 8
Lee Finley 6,950 votes 79.54 percent
Chika Anyiam 1,788 votes 20.46 percent
Member, State Board of Education, District 10
Tom Maynard 6,830 votes 78.88 percent
Raquel Saenz Ortiz 1.838 votes 21.12 percent
State Rep. District 13
Angelia Orr 6,866 votes 78.88 percent
Albert Hunter 1,838 votes 21.12 percent
Chief Justice, 10th Court of Appeals
Matt Johnson unopposed
District Judge, 77th Judicial District
Roy DeFriend unopposed
County Races (all unopposed and determined)
County Attorney
Jeff Janes
Sheriff
Murray Agnew
County Tax Assessor-Collector
Stacy Hall
County Commissioner, Precinct No. 3
Stephen Friday
Justice of the Peace, Precinct No. 3-unexpired term
Jeff Melasky
County Commissioner, Precinct No. 1
Jody Goodman
Constable, Precinct No. 1
Scott Smith
Constable, Precinct No. 2
Michael Carter
Constable, Precinct No. 3
Glenn Shoemaker
Constable, Precinct No. 4
Mark Roark
Axtell ISD (voters choose up to 4)
Early voting showed Joe ‘Scooter’ Bays in the lead with 29 votes as Brian Frankum (28 votes), Joseph Carl Reinke (26 votes), Jamie Brannen (25 votes) as Stephanie Amy, Brooke Tennison, Kevin Willis, Mark McCallister and Beni Lupu trailed.
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In unofficial Limestone County votes Joe ‘Scooter’ Bays was the lead winner with 74 votes, Stephanie Amy and Brian Frankum tied with 58 votes and Joseph Carl Reinke in fourth to win the seat with 56
Other contestants were; Brooke Tennison (28 votes), Jamie Brannen (44 votes), Kevin Willis (33 votes), Mark McCallister (40 votes), and Beni Lupu (34 votes).
