Kolkhorst Wins Texas Senate Seat in Special Election

After a whirlwind campaign, Rep. Lois Kolkhorst, R-Brenham, on Saturday night defeated four other candidates in a special election for a State Senate seat just vacated by the state's next Comptroller. Former Sen. Glenn Hegar, R-Katy, resigned the seat that represents a huge area spanning from Katy to Brenham to the coast.

Kolkhorst was able to win 55 percent of the vote, with her closest competitor Gary Gates receiving only 34 percent of the vote. The fact that Kolkhorst received over 50 percent means there will be no runoff and she is now Senator-Elect. The election happened quickly enough that Kolkhorst will be sworn in as a senator as the Legislature convenes in January.

The veteran House member – who has been in the Legislature for the past 14 years – had the backing of Gov. Rick Perry, Governor-Elect Greg Abbott, Sen. Hegar, Chuck Norris, and others. Those high-profile endorsements, which included active campaigning by Abbott, helped to create a sense of inevitability for Kolkhorst.