Christine Eady Mann and her husband Travis check out Election Day preliminary results at a watch party at Gumbo’s Tuesday night. Ms. Mann lost the Democratic primary nomination for House District 31 to Mary Jennings “MJ” Hegar.

Hegar gains Congressional victory, Lupe Valdez wins governor primary

By CHARLOTTE KOVALCHUK

Late Tuesday night, preliminary results from primary runoffs came in: Democratic House District 31 candidate Mary Jennings “MJ” Hegar beat Christine Eady Mann by 2,243 of the 11,311 votes cast. Russ Boles took home the Republican primary nomination for Precinct 4 commissioner, defeating Bobby Seifermann by 478 of the 2,660 votes cast. Lupe Valdez won the statewide Democratic nomination for governor, while Andrew White lost by 4,400 votes at press time. Mr. White won in Williamson County by 507 of 11,355 votes cast. Donna Davidson lost the Republican nomination for Third Court of Appeals to Michael “Mike” Toth by 724 of the 8,630 votes.

Ms. Hegar spent Election Day on the phone trying to connect with voters before wrapping up with a watch party at her office in Round Rock.

During Ms. Mann’s watch party at Gumbo’s on the Square, the candidate spoke to family, volunteers and supporters about a text she received from a man who said he had been on the fence for a long time about casting a vote for her or Ms. Hegar.

In the midst of her hectic day filled with calls and messages, one text stood out among the rest: “You earned my vote.”

“I started crying,” Ms. Mann told the crowd.

“I didn’t earn his vote. We earned his vote.”

She went on to thank a long list of supporters and volunteers.

“No matter what happens tonight, y’all have been amazing,” Ms. Mann said, adding, “There’s lots more to do either way. We’re not done yet.”

Then Ms. Mann asked her husband Travis, whose eyes were glued to his computer screen, about the preliminary results around 7 p.m.

“Fifty-nine to 40,” he called out.

“It’s going to be a long night,” she responded.

In the end, that percentage held.

“Of course it’s not what I hoped for tonight,” Ms. Mann said about her loss.

But, “I am not the go home, sit down and shut up kind of person. This is not the last thing I will be doing. There’s so much work to be done in this country and the world that I’m sure I’m going to find a place where my voice is needed and useful.”

First things first, though.

“I will spend time with my husband and dogs and chickens and then get back to doing what I’ve already been doing, which is helping elect Democrats. I will support every Democrat in the district. There is such a great slate of candidates. They all need help. When I get back in it, I’m in it for everyone.”

When Ms. Mann called to congratulate Ms. Hegar, she wished her the best in the next six months before the November 6 election, when Ms. Hegar will face Congressman John Carter.

“It’s going to be challenging,” Ms. Mann said.

For Ms. Hegar, the celebration will only last for the night.

“We’re all talking about getting back to work in the morning,” she said.

Renewed campaign efforts include reaching out to people for donations and volunteer time. Ms. Hegar said the phone call she received from Ms. Mann was gracious and she hopes they can work together to unite the party.

“We’re both appreciative to each other for running a clean campaign,” Ms. Hegar said.

A dirty one “would have hurt whoever won the primary in the general election. That’s a good sign for what we can expect in the future for this district.”

Ms. Hegar is excited that “we are finally going to have good representation in the district I grew up in.”

Democratic governor nominee Ms. Valdez will face Gov. Greg Abbott, while Mr. Boles will run against Democrat Carlos Salinas for the Precinct 4 commissioner seat.

Mr. Seifermann said he is “naturally very disappointed” he didn’t win.

“We worked really, really hard. It’s been a long campaign season. We just couldn’t get voters to come out.”

He said he’ll support the Republican nominee, but “I need to sleep on what my involvement will be.”

Mr. Boles could not be reached Tuesday night for a comment.

Reggie, a favorite patron of the Georgetown Public Library, accompanies his owner Rosie Rocke to volunteer as often as six times a week. Ms. Rocke went to Washington D.C. with library director Eric Lashley to receive the National Medal for Museum and Library Service. Reggie couldn't make it, but a cardboard likeness will represent him at the ceremony. [Read the ful article in the Sun]

Wednesday A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms after 1pm. Mostly sunny, with a high near 89. South wind 5 to 10 mph.

3-day weather history at the airport [here]

Live music this weekend

Thursday, May 24
6:00p Ken Kruse sings Frank Sinatra tributes at Tony and Luigi's, 1201 South Church Street, Georgetown
6:00p R.E. Huie Music performs Americana Singer-Songwriter music at Gumbo's North Bar (2nd Floor) on the Square, 110 E 7th Street, 2nd Floor
7:00p Daniel Guevara performs at the Sheraton Austin Georgetown Hotel and Conference Center, 1101 Woodlawn Avenue, Georgetown
8:00p Brian Hankins performs at Hardtails Bar and Grill, 1515 N. I-35, Georgetown

Friday, May 25
5:00p Rob Kahn performs at Grape Creek Georgetown on the Square, West 7th Street
8:00p The Staylyns performs at Hardtails Bar and Grill, 1515 N. I-35, Georgetown

Saturday, May 26
5:00p Dan Sullivan performs at Grape Creek Georgetown on the Square, West 7th Street
7:30p The Walburg Boys play in the Biergarten at Walburg German Restaurant, 3777 Farm-to-Market 972, Walburg
8:00p John McDonough performs at the Sheraton Austin Georgetown Hotel and Conference Center, 1101 Woodlawn Avenue, Georgetown
8:30p Code Blue at Hardtails Bar and Grill, 1515 N. I-35, Georgetown

Events

Thursday, May 24
8:00a Carry the Load Rally at the Williamson County Courthouse, 710 S. Main Street
2:30p A Matter of Balance-Fall Prevention Classes hosted by Faith in Action at The Delaney at Georgetown Village, 359 Village Commons Blvd
4:00p Inaugural Raising of the Flags hosted by St. David's Georgetown Hospital at the hospital's main entrance, 2000 Scenic Dr., Georgetown

Friday, May 25
7:00p Hidden Stories Walking Tour hosted by The Williamson Museum on the Georgetown Square

Saturday, May 26
9:00a Hands on in the Garden hosted by the Williamson Country Master Gardeners at the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Training room, located at 3151 SE Inner Loop in Georgetown
7:00p Hidden Stories Walking Tour hosted by The Williamson Museum on the Georgetown Square

Tuesday, May 29
2:30p A Matter of Balance-Fall Prevention Classes hosted by Faith in Action at The Delaney at Georgetown Village, 359 Village Commons Blvd
7:00p A Craftsman's Legacy episode will be playing at Mesquite Creek Outfitters, 704 S Austin Ave, Georgetown

Deaths • Services

Tomi Longtin Spence died on May 10. Services will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, May 26, 2018 at St. John's United Methodist Church, Georgetown

Serena Ann McDougald Whitley died on May 20. A funeral service will be held at 12 p.m., Saturday, May 26 at the First United Methodist Church, Georgetown

Marvin Gerhard Kleypas died on May 19. Services are pending

Norvin Henry Schaper II died on May 21. The funeral service will be held at Faith Impact Church in Georgetown, Texas on Thursday, May 24, 2018 at 11:00 am

Nelma Arlene (Toney) Wilkinson, 92, of Georgetown, died May 13, 2018. A graveside service celebrating her life will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Tuesday, May 22, 2018 at the I.O.O.F. Cemetery in Georgetown.

Mary Ann Tomasek, 74, of Georgetown, Texas, died on May 8, 2018. A celebration of life service will be at the Brethren Church, 710 Sloan St., Taylor, Texas on May 26, 2018 at 10:30 a.m.