Advertisement

In Texas special election, Jake Ellzey defeats candidate endorsed by Trump

Texas state Rep. Jake Ellzey (R) is the projected winner of the special election runoff in Texas' 6th Congressional District.

With nearly all precincts reporting their results on Tuesday night, Ellzey has 53 percent of the vote, defeating fellow Republican Susan Wright. Wright's late husband, Rep. Ron Wright, represented the 6th Congressional District until his death from COVID-19 in February.

Susan Wright had the endorsement of former President Donald Trump, who also recorded a robocall for her. Trump carried the district in 2016 by 12 points, but in 2020 won by just three points.

Ellzey wasn't backed by Trump, but did have the support of former Texas Gov. Rick Perry (R) and Rep. Dan Crenshaw (R-Texas). In his victory speech, Ellzey said it is "essential that we get this right. It's essential that we do it as Americans united, instead of Americans divided; Republicans united instead of Republicans divided, so once we take back the House and Senate in '22 and take back the White House in 2024, we take back our country."

You may also like

Why Tom Brady's 'gentle' roast of Trump at Biden's White House was actually 'deeply vicious'

Louisiana congressman says he has COVID-19 for the 2nd time

Adam Kinzinger accepts place on Jan. 6 committee: 'When duty calls, I will always answer'