Convenience Big Store: Key takeaways from Texas' election results, Trump's presidential victory

November 6, 2024

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Good morning, Houston.

It's the day after Election Day, which means we have tons of results news for you. But first, we must acknowledge the passing of a Houston icon. Former ABC13 anchor Chauncy Glover has died at the age of 39. His family called his death an "unimaginable loss."

⛅ Temperature check: High of 81; low of 72. Justin's insight: The cold front that brought heavy rainfall early on Election Day will return to Houston as a warm front later this week. Sign up for our Weather Radar newsletter for more weather news.

Now, onto election news.

Yasmeen Khalifa, Audience Engagement Producer

yasmeen.khalifa@houstonchronicle.com

Rain pours down while voters are waiting in line to cast their vote on Election Day Tuesday, Nov. 5, 2024 at West Gray Multiservice Center in Houston.

Photo by: Yi-Chin Lee (Staff photographer)

Everything to know about Election Day results...

We're in the home stretch, y'all. Tuesday marked the finale of one of the most unpredictable presidential election cycles in decades. Now, we just wait as election results continue to roll in. Here are the major results so far:

Former President Donald Trump defeated Vice President Kamala Harris early Wednesday morning. Trump has already delivered a speech touting his campaign's success. Texas voters overwhelmingly chose Trump for a third straight time.
U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz is headed back to Washington for a third term after he easily fended off Democratic challenger U.S. Rep. Colin Allred in a high-profile Senate race that saw record spending by the candidates. His victory helped the GOP gain control of the chamber for the first time in four years.
Houston ISD's historic $4.4 billion school bond failed, forcing the district to delay much-needed facility improvements due largely to voters' mistrust of state-appointed Superintendent Mike Miles. Miles called it "unfortunate and wrong."

For more highlights, here are five key takeaways from Election Day in Texas.

Continue to follow national election results here. Follow Texas results here. Follow Harris County results here. And follow Houston suburbs results here.

🗳️ Houston-area Results

SYLVESTER TURNER VS. LANA CENTONZE: Former Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner defeated political newcomer Lana Centonze in the race to succeed the late U.S. Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee. He will become the 18th Congressional District's first new representative in three decades.
LIZZIE FLETCHER VS. CAROLINE KANE: U.S. Rep. Lizzie Fletcher won reelection in House District 7 against her Republican challenger, Caroline Kane. The 49-year-old former oil and gas attorney from west Houston is finishing her third term in Congress.
SYLVIA GARCIA VS. ALAN GARZA: U.S. Rep. Sylvia Garcia handily won reelection to her Houston-area congressional district. Garcia, a longtime state senator, was first elected to Congress in 2018.
WESLEY HUNT VS. MELISSA MCDONOUGH: U.S. Rep. Wesley Hunt, a first-term Republican who traveled the country this year campaigning for former President Donald Trump, won reelection against Democratic challenger Melissa McDonough.

🌳 Suburban Results

A NEW GALVESTON SHERIFF: Jimmy Fullen won the Galveston County Sheriff race but could lose his law enforcement license and ability to legally keep the job he was elected to do.
DAN CRENSHAW VS. PETER FILLER: U.S. Rep. Dan Crenshaw won reelection in House District 2, defeating Democratic challenger Peter Filler on his way to a fourth term in Congress.
TROY NEHLS VS. MARQUETTE GREENE-SCOTT: The former Fort Bend County sheriff easily won in the once competitive and rapidly diversifying suburban district west of Houston that was redrawn in 2021 to make it easier for the GOP to hold.
MORGAN LUTTRELL VS. LAURA JONES: Rep. Morgan Luttrell, a former Navy SEAL, won re-election in Texas' GOP-leaning 8th District, defeating Democratic challenger Laura Jones.
NEW HOUSTON-AREA SCHOOL TRUSTEES: Houston-area suburban school trustee election results in Conroe, Spring and Tomball will usher in new faces.
NEW STADIUM REJECTED: Voters rejected Willis ISD's $115.4 million bond package that aimed to replace an aging stadium and provide more space for students as enrollment grows.
TAX RATE INCREASES UNLIKELY: Tax rate increase elections in two Houston-area school districts hoping to raise extra revenue were poised to fail late Tuesday, while two other districts remained too close to call, early votes show.

➕ Past the Polls

PAXTON AND PEACE? Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton was notably absent from a bipartisan coalition of attorneys general who called for a peaceful transfer of power.
VOTERS WANT CHANGE: We spoke to Houston voters north to south. Whether it's the economy or abortion, they want change, writes the Houston Chronicle Editorial Board.
WHERE DID BEYONCÉ VOTE? International popstar and Houston native Beyoncé cast her vote in Houston, according to an unofficial voting roster uploaded to the Harris County Clerk's elections website.

❓ Question of the Week

Have any election results surprised you so far? Which ones and why?

Photo by: Yasmeen Khalifa

As results continue to roll in, we want to know if you were surprised by any outcomes. Respond to this email and let us know. Your response may be featured in Friday's newsletter.

📅 Events at the Chronicle

Promotional image for post-Election Day virtual event on HISD bond results

Photo by: Sharon Steinmann / Susan Barber

EVENT: Join our education team's recap of the HISD bond vote

Readers are invited to a Zoom event with Chronicle education reporters on Nov. 7 to recap and analyze Election Day results for the $4.4 billion HISD bond and other local tax rate increase elections.

☝️ One Last Word

I'll leave you off with some non-election related news.

Rafael strengthened into a low-end hurricane Tuesday night as it approached the Cayman Islands in the central Caribbean Sea, the National Hurricane Center said.

Where will the rare November hurricane go next? Track its path here.

Amid uncertain weather and an uncertain political future, I hope you all are taking care of yourselves and staying safe. Much love always.

— Yasmeen Khalifa