Katy area voters have several items on the ballot for the runoff election slated for July 14. Early voting began June 29 and will run through July 10. Voters should check their county’s elections websites for polling locations and hours and to view full sample ballots. Subheads in this article link the the respective county's voting information sites where voters may view their sample ballots. 

This article presents a noncomprehensive listing of runoff elections in Fort Bend, Harris and Waller counties.

Fort Bend County

Fort Bend Republicans have four items on the ballot depending on where they live in the county. Below are the ones affecting Katy area voters.

Troy Nehls and Kathaleen Wall are battling for the Republican nomination for Texas House District 22 after incumbent Pete Olson, who lives in Sugar Land, announced he would not be running for reelection. The winner of the runoff will face Democratic nominee Sri Preston Kulkarni and Libertarian nominee Joseph LeBlanc in November.

J.J. Clemence is facing James Pressler in the runoff election for the Republican nomination to the Fort Bend County Tax Assessor-Collector.

Fort Bend Democrats are looking at multiple runoffs as well.

As Nehls leaves the position of Fort Bend County Sheriff, Democratic candidates Eric Fagan and Geneane Hughes are vying for the chance to face Nehls’ brother Trever Nehls in November. Trever currently serves as constable for Fort Bend County Precinct 4.

For the U.S. Senator position, MJ Hegar is facing Texas Senator Royce West in a race that will have the winner of the runoff facing incumbent John Cornyn (R – Austin).

The Railroad Commissioner race has Roberto R. “Beto” Alonzo facing Christa Castaneda. The Railroad Commission’s name is not indicative of its function which has shifted away from managing railways and is now primarily involved in regulating the energy markets and reserves for the state.

The seventh seat for the 14th Court of Appeals which has jurisdiction over Fort Bend, Harris and Waller Counties is on the ballot for the entire Katy area. Tamike “Tami” Craft is facing Cheri Thomas for the party’s nomination to face the Republican incumbent, Ken Wise.

Kali Morgan and Surrendran K. Pattel will face off for the Democratic nomination for Texas’ 505th Judicial District and a chance to face incumbent Republican Judge David Perwin.

Harris County

Republicans in Harris County have multiple races including a seat in the U.S. House of Representatives, a Court of Appeals judge’s seat, Harris County Sheriff and a Justice of the Peace for Precinct Five. Harris voters will also vote either for Hegar or West for the U.S. Senator position, as well as in the race for Railroad Commissioner.

The judge’s seat competition between Craft and Thomas noted in the Fort Bend portion of this story will also be voted on by Harris residents.

Paul Day and Joe Danna are fighting for a chance at the office of Harris County Sheriff. The winner of the runoff will face Democratic incumbent Ed Gonzalez in November.

Terry Adams is facing James Lombardino for a chance to run against Democratic nominee Amparo Monique Guerra for the First Court of Appeals.

Russ Ridgway is facing Mike Wolfe in a runoff for Harris County Justice of the Peace for Precinct 5, Place 1.

Democrats in Harris County face a few more decisions. Countywide, there are 14 Democratic runoffs taking place, though only a portion of those will be voted on by Katy area residents.

In the wake of County Commissioner for Precinct 3 Steve Radack announcing his departure from the seat he’s held since 1988, Democratic opponents Michael Moore and Diana Martinez Alexander will be vying for the opportunity to face Republican opponent Tom Ramsey in November.

The winner of the runoff between Randy Newman and Mark Alan Harrison will face Republican incumbent Constable Ted Heap of Harris County’s fifth precinct in November.

For the House of Representatives, Pritesh Gandhi will be facing Mike Siegel in a runoff to determine who will face incumbent Michael McCaul (R – Austin) who has been in office since 2004.

Katy area voters living near Addicks Reservoir will participate in a runoff election between Akilah Bacy and Jenifer Rene Pool for the Texas House District 138 Democratic nomination. The winner will face Republican candidate Lacey Hull. Incumbent Dwayne Bohac (R) has opted not to run for reelection.

Waller County

Republicans have a two-race ballot this time around with only one race on the GOP ticket. In addition to the First Court of Appeals race, a candidate for sheriff will also be chosen.

Republican candidates for Waller County Sheriff on the run0ff ticket include incumbent R. Glenn Smith and Troy Guidry. The winner will go up against Democratic nominee Cedric Watson in November. Additional coverage of this race is available at www.katytimes.com.

The Democratic ticket is a bit longer for Waller voters with four political competitions to determine candidates for Congress, the U.S. House of Representatives, railroad commissioner and a judge’s position for the 14th Court of Appeals District, Place 7.

Waller Democrats will participate in the race between Hegar and West for U.S. Senator as noted in the Fort Bend entry above. They’ll also vote between Alonzo and Castaneda for Railroad Commissioner and to see who will face McCaul in the House of Representatives race.

The final race on the Democratic ticket is the race between Thomas and Craft mentioned in the Harris County section above.