Democrats have huge Election Day

Adrian Garcia new sheriff; Emmett, Green remain in seats

Northeast Harris County residents will see changes in their county government, with Democrats taking over nearly every seat formerly held by Republicans.

Ed Emmett, is one of the few exceptions as he beat David Mincberg 53%-46% to win the county judge’s seat.

Republican Pat Lykos is the first woman to serve as District Attorney. With less than 5,000 votes difference she defeated C.O. Bradford, a Democrat.

Mike Stafford lost the county attorney race to Democrat Vince Ryan.

Democrat Adrian Garcia unseated Sheriff Tommy Thomas, while Precinct 3 Constable Ken Jones held off a challenge from Republican Tony Lewis.

In the race for Harris County Tax Assessor/ Collector Paul Bettancourt beat Democrat Diane Trautman.

State Races

State Senator Mario Gallegos Jr. had a 70% landslide victory over Gilbert Pena.

Democratic state representative incumbent Senfronia Thompson easily beat GOP’s Michael Bunch.

National Races

Nationally, voters decided to make a change at the highest level, selecting Barack Obama as the next president. He scored 333 electoral votes to Republican nominees John McCain and Sarah Palin’s 155 votes.

In other national races, Senator John Cornyn defeated Democrat Rick Noriega. Congressman Gene Green will get two more years in Washington after beating Republican Eric Story and Libertarian Joel Grace. Sheila Jackson Lee had no trouble winning reelection to her congressional post.

Texas Secretary of State Hope Andrade estimated that 68% of registered voters cast ballots, either during early voting or on Election Day.

This is the second highest percentage in Texas history, with the highest coming at 73% in 2004.