Scott Cosper and Brad Buckley will face each other  in the Republican Primary  run-off on May 25 for the Texas House District 54 while Tim Brown and Bobby Whitson will be on the run-off ballot for Bell County Commissioner Precinct 2.

Saladoan Cliff Coleman will be the next Justice of the Peace for Precinct 2, edging out fellow Saladoan Richard Sapp in the Republican primary. Coleman received 1,098, 51.48 percent of the 2,141 votes cast in the race.

The race for the Texas House District 54, which  includes parts of Bell and Lampasas counties, is an extremely close one between one-term incumbent Scott Cosper and Brad Buckley.

With 100  percent reporting, Cosper had   4,472 votes to hold a narrow edge over Buckley, who had 4,173. Larry Smith had 1,390.

In Bell County, Cosper had 3,160 votes, 45.71 percent, while Buckley had 2,848 and Larry Smith tallied 905 votes.

They will be joined on the Republican primary run-off ballot by Tim Brown and Bobby Whitson for Bell County Commissioner Precinct 2, representing Salado and Harker Heights and the eastern part of Killeen.

Tim Brown, currently serving his sixth term as Bell County Commissioner Precinct 2, received  1,949 votes, 44.46 percent of the total ballots, while Bobby Whitson received 1,457 votes and Brit Owen received 978 votes.

Paul LePak and Jeff Parker will be in a run-off for District Judge, 264th Judicial District. LePak received 6,548 votes for 41.06 percent of the total while Parker received 1,178.

Saladoan Gaylon Evans earned the nod to be County Treasurer, taking 55.07 percent of the vote in the Republican Primary with 8,141 over Jeanette Compean’s 6,641 votes.

Nancy Boston will continue as Chair of the Republican Party, earning 70 percent (10,497) of the votes cast over Zenia Warren’s 4,424.

There were few if any close races in the Republican primaries as voters chose incumbents over challengers by wide margins, putting U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz, U.S. Rep. District 31 John Carter, Gov. Greg Abbott, Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick, Land Commissioner George P. Bush, Ag Commissioner Sid Miller Railroad Commissioner Christi Craddick and State Representative in District 55 Hugh Shine on the ballots in November general election.

With 63 percent of the statewide precincts reporting, the Republican stance will continue to be a conservative one on the issues as Republican voters overwhelmingly supported all of the 11 propositions on the ballot.

Prop. 1: Replace property tax system: 65% favor.

Prop. 2: Toll roads voter approval: 90% favor.

Prop. 3: Selecting Speaker of the House: 85% favor

Prop. 4: Screening new hires.: 90% favor.

Prop. 5: School choice tax credits: 78% favor.

Prop. 6: Bathroom privacy: 90% favor.

Prop. 7: Abolish abortion: 68% favor.

Prop. 8: Voter fraud felony: 95% favor.

Prop. 9: Completely repeal Obamacare: 87% favor.

Prop. 10: 4% cap on property tax growth: 94% favor.

Prop. 11: No tax dollars for pro stadiums: 87% favor.

With about 70 percent of the precincts reporting at presstime, it appears that Beto O’Rourke is the Democratic choice for the top of ballot, to face Ted Cruz in the November general election for U.S. Senate. O’Rourke had 61.59 percent of the vote.

The Democrats appear split on their choice to face U.S. Rep. John Carter in November. That race is likely headed to a run-off as well. With a third of the precincts reporting as of press time, Mary Jennings “MJ” Hegar had about 44 percent of the vote and Christine Eady Mann had 34 percent of the vote.

The race for the Democratic nomination for Governor will go to a run-off between Lupe Valdez and Andrew White.  With about 67 percent of the state precincts reporting, Valdez has received 42.6 percent of the vote and White has received 28 percent of the ballots.

Mike Collier holds a small lead for the Lt. Governor nomination over Michael Cooper.

Joi Chevalier and Tim Mahoney are less than 3 percent apart in the Comptroller race with Chevalier at 51 percent.

Roman McAllen holds a 17 percent advantage over  Chris Spellmon in the Railroad Commissioner race.

The Democrats continue to be left of center in their proposition choices.

Prop. 1: Right to public education and affordable college.  96% favor.

Prop. 2: Refinance student loans at 0% through Fed Reserve. 94% favor.

Prop. 3: Medicare-for-all. 95% favor.

Prop. 4: Earned paid family and sick leave and living wage: 96% favor.

Prop. 5: National jobs program to replace crumbling infrastructure through low interest, long-term bonds: 93% favor.

Prop. 6: Right to clean air, safe water and healthy environment: 99% favor.

Prop. 7: Life of dignity with no discrimination or harassment: 97% favor.

Prop. 8: Right to affordable housing? 92% favor.

Prop. 9: Automatic voter registration and other rights to vote: 95% favor.

Prop. 10: End of mass incarceration: 97 pecent favor.

Proposition 11: Just and fair immigration reform: 94% favor.

Proposition 12: Fair tax system, businesses pay too: 97% favor