The Bandera County Republican Party has announced a series of six runoff candidate forums across the county as voters prepare for the May 26 election, featuring high-profile matchups for local and statewide offices.
Under Texas election law, a runoff is triggered when no candidate in a multi-candidate primary receives more than 50% of the total vote.
Because the top vote-getters in several key races failed to secure an absolute majority during the March 3 primary, the two leading candidates in those contests must now face each other in a second round of voting to determine the party’s nominee.
At the top of the local ticket, Susan Junker and Dennis Fitzgerald have advanced to the runoff for Bandera County Judge. Junker led the primary field with 42.3% of the vote, while Fitzgerald secured 29.7% to clinch a spot in the final round.
On the statewide level, a historic race for the U.S. Senate continues as incumbent John Cornyn faces a challenge from Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton. Both candidates emerged from the primary with approximately 40% of the vote.
Other key races appearing on the runoff ballot include the contest for Railroad Commissioner between incumbent James Wright and Bo French, as well as the race for Attorney General between State Sen. Mayes Middleton and U.S. Rep. Chip Roy.
'We are coming to you,' the Bandera County GOP stated in a recent announcement. 'We want you to be an informed voter.'
Organizers say all candidates are invited.
The forum schedule begins in Bandera at 6 p.m. Friday, April 17, at BEC.
Residents in Tarpley can meet candidates at 5:30 p.m. Tuesday, April 21, at the Haner Hall Community Center.
The Utopia forum is set for 5:30 p.m. Wednesday, April 22, at Blue Flame, followed by a Medina session at 5:30 p.m. Thursday, April 30, at The Core.
Lakehills will host a forum at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, May 5, at the Lakehills Community Center, and the final event will take place in Pipe Creek at 6 p.m. Tuesday, May 12, at the Pipe Creek VFD.
The deadline to register for the runoff election is April 27. Early voting will run from May 18 through May 22, with the final election day on Tuesday, May 26.
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