Why Can't I Vote for Beto O'Rourke?

SAN ANGELO, TX -- Monday is President's Day and schools, banks and government offices are closed in observance of the federal holiday.  And early voting for the March 6 primary election begins Tuesday and there are two ballots; one for the Democrat primary and one for the Republican primary.  

Voters can cast a ballot as either a Democrat or a Republican, but not both.  In Tom Green County there is only one contested race on the primary ballot; Republican Tom Green County Commissioner in Pct. 2 where Tana Sue Pyssen and Sammy Farmer are running for the seat being vacated by Aubrey deCordova who is not seeking reelection.  The winner of the Republican primary will be sworn in as Commissioner January 1, 2019 because there is no Democrat candidate on the general election ballot in November. 

While there are no locally contested Democrat races on the ballot, there are contested races at the state and national level.  Democrat voters have three choices for U.S. Senator; Beto O’Rourke, Edward Kimbrough or Sema Hernandez.  O’Rourke is the favorite; the winner will face the Republican winner of a five candidate field including favorite and incumbent Senator Ted Cruz in the general election in November.

Democrat voters have a choice for U.S. House Representative in District 11; Eric Pfalzgraf or Jennie Lou Leeder.  The winner of that race will face Republican incumbent Congressman Mike Conaway in November.  Conaway is challenged by Paul Myers in the Republican primary.  

There is a crowded field for Texas Governor in the Democrat primary.  Andrew White is the favorite in the nine candidate field.  If no candidate gets over 50 percent of the vote, there will be a runoff election and the winner of that will face Governor Greg Abbott in November.  Abbott is challenged by Barbara Krueger and SECEDE Kilgore.  

There are two candidates for Texas Lieutenant Governor on the Democrat primary ballot; Michael Cooper and Mike Collier.  The winner will take on Lt. Governor Dan Patrick in November if he wins the Republican primary.  Patrick is challenged by Scott Milder.

In the Democrat primary for Texas Comptroller there are two candidates; Joi Chevalier and Tim Mahoney.  The victor will face incumbent Republican Glenn Hegar in the general election.

The race for Texas Land Commissioner has made headlines across Texas.  Republican Incumbent George P. Bush is challenged by former Commissioner Jerry Patterson and challengers Rick Range and Davey Edwards.  On the Democrat side, Miguel Suazo and Tex Morgan square off.  

Texas Commissioner of Agriculture Sid Miller is the incumbent Republican and facing Jim Hogan and Troy Blocker in the primary.  The winner takes on Democrat Kim Olson in the general election.  

The Democrats have two candidates for Railroad Commissioner; Chris Spellmon and Roman McAllen.  Incumbent Commissioner Christi Craddock of Midland is challenged by Weston Martinez.  There are other races on the ballot including 3rd Court of Appeals justices and Supreme Court justices.  To see a sample ballot, go here.  

Each party primary ballot includes a number of non-binding ballot initiatives.  We will explore those initiatives in future stories.  

Voters who want to cast a vote using a paper ballot may do so during early voting but not during the general election on March 6.  

Early voting for the March 6 Democrat and Republican primaries runs from Tuesday, February 20 to Friday, March 2 on the first floor of the Keyes building downtown.