Three Texas Senate Incumbents Ahead
Early returns from Central Texas show narrow margins in District 5 and wider leads in Districts 21 and 24, with most precincts still pending.
By Amit Chukwu ·
Voters in three Central Texas state Senate districts face uncertain outcomes as early returns trickle in. Incumbent Charles Schwertner holds a slim edge in District 5, while Judith Zaffirini and Pete Flores lead their respective races in Districts 21 and 24.
The Texas Secretary of State’s website shows that 51 of 342 precincts have reported in District 5. Schwertner has secured 50.1% of the vote, edging out Democratic challenger Paul Thomasson from College Station, who holds 49.9%. The race covers much of Williamson County and extends east to San Jacinto County and north to Limestone County. It also includes Brazos County, which is home to Bryan and College Station.
Schwertner has served in the Texas Senate since assuming office in January 2013. He previously represented House District 20. His opponent, Thomasson, spent more than 40 years as a United Methodist pastor at Oakwood United Methodist Church in North Houston before entering the race.
In District 21, Zaffirini leads by a wide margin with 72.6% of the vote from 113 of 291 reported precincts. Republican challenger Julie Dahlberg from Sutherland Springs has received 27.4% of the ballots. This district spans Southwest Texas, touching parts of Bexar, Guadalupe, Hays, and Travis counties.
Zaffirini took office in 1987 after becoming the first Mexican American woman elected to the Texas Senate in 1986. She brings 13 years of teaching experience to the role. Dahlberg is a U.S. Army veteran who operates MYCO Glass & Mirror with her husband, Shane, and has worked with nonprofits serving military families and those with disabilities.
District 24 results show Pete Flores ahead with 53.7% of the vote from 52 of 276 reported precincts. Democratic challenger Joe Paz Herrera from Natalia holds 46.3%. The district includes the Lake Travis area, Northwest Austin, Cedar Park, and Round Rock, with voting locations spread across Bell and Williamson counties.
Flores served as a Texas Game Warden for 27 years before entering politics. He won a special election for District 19 in 2018 and was re-elected for District 24 in 2022. Herrera worked in the food and packaged goods industry for over 20 years and has previously sought the Democratic nomination for House District 53 in 2020, 2022, and 2024.
All results remain unofficial until the canvassing process is complete. The remaining precincts in these three districts have yet to report their final tallies.
