TX Governor Runoff Results: Lupe Valdez Wins

ACROSS TEXAS — The race for the Democratic governor's nomination was neck-and-neck most of the night, but with 90 percent of precincts reporting, Lupe Valdez secured a win in the May 22 primary.

The Associated Press called the race around 9:40 p.m. Tuesday with Valdez up by 17,850 votes. In a historic first, Valdez's nomination marks the first time a Hispanic female and first openly gay Texan to has won a major party's nomination in a gubernatorial race.

Valdez, a North Texan and former Dallas County Sheriff, opened the night with a strong lead in early voting totals in Dallas and in counties along the Rio Grande, while her opponent and Houston native Andrew White grabbed a strong lead in the Houston area and Travis County.

The race between Valdez and White began to take shape after the March primaries and peaked in a televised and sometimes contentious debate between the candidates. The race will cease on Nov. 6 when Valdez faces off against Republican incumbent Greg abbott for the governor's mansion.

And Valdez has her work cut out for her when it comes to Abbott. The incumbent is well liked in Texas and took the March primaries by storm with 90.4 percent of of the Republican vote.

In addition, Texas hasn't elected a Democratic governor in nearly 30 years.

Valdez released a statement thanking her supporters Tuesday night after the victory was announced.

"Tonight, Texas proved that no matter who you are, where you are from, or who you love — in this state, you've got a fighting chance. Tonight is a victory for all of us who are fighting for a stronger and fairer Texas. a tolerant and diverse Texas. A Texas where the everyday person has a voice and a fair shot — just as I had. Together, we'll make that a reality. I am proud to be the candidate of the everyday Texan and I will NEVER stop fighting for you."

Returns: (7,385 of 7,468 precincts reporting)

• Lupe Valdez — 53% — 227,212 votes
• Andrew White — 47% — 201,745 votes

Credit: Scott Olson/Getty Images, REX/Shutterstock