Early voting starts Monday as Susan Wright, Jake Ellzey vie for Congress in North Texas
North Texas’ Congressional District 6 will soon have a new Republican leader. Will it be Susan Wright, the widow of late U.S. Rep. Ron Wright, or Waxahachie-area state Rep. Jake Ellzey?
The two were part of 23-candidate field in the May 1 election. Wright and Ellzey were the top two vote-getters, advancing to a double Republican runoff to fill the seat held by Ron Wright, who died in February following battles with lung cancer and COVID-19.
Early voting for the July 27 election runs Monday through Friday. The district covers southeast Tarrant County and Ellis and Navarro counties.
Wright, who served as district director for two state representatives, got 19.2% of the votes in the special election and Ellzey, who served as a fighter pilot in the Navy, got 13.9%.
The two candidates don’t vary much ideologically, said Southern Methodist University political science professor Cal Jillson, but with two Republicans on the ballot, much of the race has been colored by candidates’ efforts to distinguish themselves as conservative as they work to win over voters in what is expected to be a low turnout election.
“Only the most interested, committed voters are going to turn out,” Jillson said.
How much money have Wright, Ellzey raised?
Ellzey reported $1.2 million in contributions on his report filed Thursday, outraising Wright, who reported more than $450,000 for the period covering April 12 through July 7.
Wright’s contributions in the most recent filing period include $68,800 from The Club for Growth PAC. (That figure doesn’t include individual contributions earmarked through the organization.) According to Politico, House Republican Conference Chair Elise Stefanik raised $60,000 for Wright through WinRed, an online donations platform.
Ellzey’s donors include $5,000 from the Stand Tall America PAC, which according to Open Secrets is associated with former Texas Republican Rep. Mac Thornberry. He also got $5,000 from the With Honor PAC and $2,000 from State Rep. Charlie Geren’s campaign.
Wright reported more than $418,000 in total disbursements and roughly $164,000 in cash on hand. Ellzey reported more than $1.1 million in total disbursements, leaving him with roughly $485,000 on hand.
Candidates meet with voters as low turnout expected
Social media posts show both candidates have been working to win over voters as Election Day nears. Wright, who has been endorsed by former President Donald Trump, recently shared photos on Facebook of a meet and greet with voters in Corsicana in Navarro County. Before that she was in Mansfield where Tarrant County Sheriff Bill Waybourn gave an introductory speech.
Both candidates made stops at the Conservative Political Action Conference in Dallas and got shout-outs from speakers. Ellzey attended a ticket-event where former Texas Gov. Rick Perry, who also served as energy secretary in the Trump administration, recognized the Ellzey during a speech. U.S. Rep. Lance Gooden, a Terrell Republican speaking on a panel about energy, named Susan Wright as he called on conservatives to be elected to Congress.
Ellzey at a Wednesday campaign event with Perry and U.S. Rep. Dan Crenshaw in Arlington reflected on what distinguishes him from his opponent. He said both would agree, “not much.”
“But there is one primary difference,” he said. “I’m willing to burn the candle at three ends for the people in this room, for the people in this country.”
Ellzey told the Star-Telegram that what sets him apart is his legislative record that he said is strongly conservative as well as his time in the military. In a candidate questionnaire ahead of the special election, he listed a “strong military, an effective foreign policy, and a strong border at home” among his top policy priorities, along with “protecting the unborn” and election security.
“I will support small businesses by supporting a pro-growth agenda, making sure our southern border is safe and secure, and fighting for more local control — just like Ron has always done,” Wright said in her questionnaire.
Wright said in a statement that she’ll be able to be “effective from day one” as she has constituent service experience having served as as a district director.
“I want to continue the legacy of my husband, Congressman Ron Wright, in focusing on constituent needs, district-based representation, and bringing common-sense solutions to Washington,” she said, also stating that she’s the “true conservative” in the race.
In May, after advancing to a runoff, Wright reflected on her race to fill her late husband’s seat.
“He and I were a team and we did all of these things together in his congressional runs,” she said, noting that there have been emotionally tough times. “But I’ll be honest with you, it’s been very gratifying. I mean, the support that I’ve gotten from throughout the district, from the other candidates, from people outside the district and certainly so many members of Congress that were colleagues of Ron, and our friends and family here has just been overwhelming. It’s been very strengthening to me.”
