Written by Amanda Coers – All eyes were on Texas as the results of the state’s primary elections were posted, the first of the 2018 midterm election season. Voters cast their ballots to select representatives for the political parties in the general election November 6th.

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Texas is one of 15 states with an “open primary,” where voters are not required to register with a party ahead of time. Instead voters choose a party when they go to their polling place and request a ballot. In order to vote in the local races for Brown County Judge and Precinct 2 Commissioners, voters did need to choose the Republican ballot.

On the ballot locally, the incumbent Brown County Judge Ray West was challenged by Dr. Paul Lilly, and Precinct 2 Commissioner incumbent Joel Kelton was challenged by Eddie Lord.

According to the Brown County Elections Office 5,282 voters cast ballots in the primary election, just over 11 percent of the voting population for the area.

Voting results:

Locally, for Brown County Judge challenger Paul Lilly beat out incumbent Ray West with 2,576 votes to 2,193 votes. Lilly will begin his service as the new Brown County Judge on January 1, 2019.

Precinct 2 Commissioner Joel Kelton kept his seat with 454 votes to his challenger Eddie Lord’s 309 votes.

State Representative for District 60 Mike Lang received 2,933 votes, his challengers: Jim Largent (1,685 votes) and Gregory Risse (157 votes) were unable to claim the coveted spot.

US Representative for District 11 incumbent Mike Conaway received 3,928 votes to his challenger Paul Myers’ 793 votes.

Additional Results:

REPUBLICAN

• US Senator Ted Cruz received 4,141 from Brown County.
• Governor Greg Abbott received 4,344 votes from Brown County.
• Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick received 3,337 votes from Brown County.

DEMOCRATIC

• US Senator: Beto O’Rourke received the majority of Brown County votes with 231 votes.
• US Representative for District 11: Jennie Lou Leeder received the majority of Brown County votes with 296 votes.
• Governor: Andrew White received the majority of Brown County votes with 116 votes.
• Lieutenant Governor: Mike Collier received the majority of Brown County votes with 230 votes.