A brutal race to represent District 81 in the Texas House of Representatives is thankfully over with longtime State Rep. Brooks Landgraf defeating challenger Casey Gray by an overwhelming margin.
Landgraf takes a fifth term in the Texas House of Representatives with no democrat on the ballot in November.
In Ector County, Landgraf collected 7,876 votes (78.78%), while Casey Gray had 2,122 (21.22%). Landgraf and Gray each received 16 votes in Loving County. Ward and Winkler Counties weren’t final as of 11:42 p.m. Tuesday.
Landgraf and wife, Shelby, and daughter Hollis Rose were met with wild applause at the Copper Rose Building following early election results that showed Landgraf with more than 80 percent of the votes. Landgraf thanked the crowd.
“You made this night possible.. some in the last couple weeks and some in the last few years but Shelby and Hollis Rose and I are indebted to each and every on of you. I know support wasn’t always as easy to show this time and that makes me cherish the opportunity to serve all of you even more.”
Landgraf was referring to a particularly nasty campaign by Gray and his supporters including members of the Ector County Republican party executive board, some of whom financed Gray’s bid.
“I take a lot of pride in this opportunity and it means a lot this time,” Landgraf told the crowd.
