Jake Ellzey has officially won the special election for Texas’ Sixth Congressional seat against Trump-backed candidate Susan Wright.
Susan Wright, the widow of late Rep. Ron Wright, was the odds-on favorite to win the run-off election, especially after gaining Trump’s endorsement. Wright passed away from COVID-19 complication last year. The election was a major disappointment for Democrats who have been hoping to flip Texas blue, not a single Democrat candidate advanced to the run-offs.
With election day votes now starting to come in from Tarrant and Navarro Counties in, Jake Ellzey(R) with 13,820 votes (52.80%) still leads Susan Wright(R) 12,354 (47.20%) in the TX-06 special election runoff. https://t.co/u5Zhy1FOjU pic.twitter.com/cRdOAzqorQ
— Decision Desk HQ (@DecisionDeskHQ) July 28, 2021
Fox News reports:
“Special elections are special, and this one was no exception,” she tweeted. “I want to congratulate Congressman-elect Jake Ellzey on his victory. I am praying for his success & wish him well. I will never forget the kindness the people of #TX06 have shown Ron & I for so many years. Thank you.”
Special elections are special, and this one was no exception.
I want to congratulate Congressman-elect Jake Ellzey on his victory. I am praying for his success & wish him well.
I will never forget the kindness the people of #TX06 have shown Ron & I for so many years. Thank you.
— Susan Wright (@SusanWrightTX6) July 28, 2021
Ellzey did not try to distance himself from Trump and instead sought to overcome the lack of Trump’s backing by raising more money and showing off other endorsements, including the support of former Texas Gov. Rick Perry, the Associated Press reported.
“One of the things that we’ve seen from this campaign is a positive outlook — a Reagan Republican outlook for the future of our country — is what the people of the 6th District really, really want,” Ellzey said, according to the Texas Tribune.
Wright’s defeat is especially interesting as it indicates a drop in support for Trump in Texas. The Lone Star State hasn’t been shy in its continued support of the former president and Trump has taken on a sort of kingmaker role within the party. However, Wright’s loss having had Trump’s support now calls into question how much influence Trump still retains on the party and if other candidates he’s thrown his support behind still have the chance to succeed in next year’s mid-term elections.
