Abbott postpones runoffs to July 14

On Friday, Gov. Greg Abbott postponed Democratic and Republican primary runoff elections from May 26 to July 14 in response to the emergency created by the COVID-19 outbreak. His decision followed the filing of a lawsuit by the Texas Democratic Party seeking to force the governor to allow all voters to participate in voting by mailing in their ballots. Under Texas law under normal conditions, only people over 65 and those with disabilities are allowed to cast their votes by mail. Republican runoffs include the race between Jennifer Fleck and Justin Berry, who are seeking their party’s nomination to run against House District 47 State Rep. Vikki Goodwin, a Democrat. On the Democratic side, local races of interest include the contest between Travis County District Attorney Margaret Moore and her challenger, José Garza, and the race between Mayor Pro Tem Delia Garza and Assistant County Attorney Laurie Eiserloh to become Travis County Attorney. Statewide, Democrats will choose between MJ Hager and Royce West to take on Republican Sen. John Cornyn.