Despite last-minute and anonymous robocalls charging her with “murdering her husband” and a well-funded anti-Trump Republican, the widow of the late Republican Rep. Ron Wright topped the crowded race Saturday to fill his seat in Texas’ 6th District.
With near-final returns in Sunday morning from the 23-candidate field, Susan Wright had about 24 per cent of the vote. With all candidates regardless of party on the same ballot, the second place was a near-tie (14 per cent each) between Republican State Rep. Jake Ellzey and Democrat Jana Lynne Sanchez.
Once the second-place finisher is determined, he or she will meet Wright in a run-off (the date of which is yet to be scheduled).
A longtime Republican activist, Wright has long been considered the favorite to succeed her husband (who died from corona virus February 7, soon after he was sworn in for a second term).
A week ago, she got a surprise boost with a strong endorsement from Donald Trump.
On the eve of the vote, however, supporters of Wright told authorities they were getting anonymous robocalls charging her with “murdering her husband” to collect the insurance money and run for his seat.
Michael Wood, a veteran, drew swatches of publicity and considerable funding running as an anti-Trump Republican. Despite substantial contributions from Republican Reps. Anthony Gonzales of Ohio, Adam Kinzinger of Illinois, and Liz Cheney of Wyoming —all of whom voted for Trump’s impeachment—Wood drew only 3 per cent of the vote.
John Gizzi is chief political columnist and White House correspondent for Newsmax. For more of his reports, Go Here Now.
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