Politics & Government

Here’s what happens if the withdrawn Democrats on the TX ballot receive your vote

U.S. Rep. Marc Veasey, D-Texas, speaks on stage for the “Build The Backlash” rally at greater St. Stephen First Church in Fort Worth on Wednesday, Aug. 6, 2024. The rally called out the efforts of Texas republicans to gerrymander the state and silence Black voters.
U.S. Rep. Marc Veasey, D-Texas, speaks on stage for the “Build The Backlash” rally at greater St. Stephen First Church in Fort Worth on Wednesday, Aug. 6, 2024. The rally called out the efforts of Texas republicans to gerrymander the state and silence Black voters. ctorres@star-telegram.com

Two candidates on the Democratic primary ballot took themselves out of their races but can still collect votes.

Because Fort Worth Rep. Marc Veasey and Houston businessman Andrew White withdrew from their races after the withdrawal deadline passed, Texas law requires their names to be on the ballot in the primary.

Veasey was running in the Democratic primary for Tarrant County judge against Commissioner Alisa Simmons and contractor Millennium Anton C. Woods, Jr.

White was one of nine candidates in the gubernatorial race for the Democratic primary until he pulled out of the race in January.

Despite this, both are on the ballot and can receive votes. Here’s what could happen if they garner a good portion of the ballots.

Because of their withdrawals, White and Veasey are ineligible to be on the November ballot as the Democratic nominee. If Veasey wins on March 3, Tarrant County Democratic Party Chair Allison Campolo said the party will hold an election among precinct chairs to fill the vacancy Veasey would have created. If White wins, the same process would happen but within the Texas Democratic Party.

In the case that none of the County Judge candidates garner at least 50% of the vote and Veasey is in the runoff, the other candidate would automatically win and be placed on the November ballot. The same goes for the gubernatorial race.

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Rachel Royster
Fort Worth Star-Telegram
Rachel Royster is a news and government reporter for the Fort Worth Star-Telegram, specifically focused on Tarrant County. She joined the newsroom after interning at the Austin American-Statesman, the Waco Tribune-Herald and Capital Community News in DC. A Houston native and Baylor grad, Rachel enjoys traveling, reading and being outside. She welcomes any and all news tips to her email.
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