Travis County Midterm Elections Live Blog

11:10pm:

We're shutting down the live blog for the evening. Thanks for sticking with us, folks. For more in-depth election analysis, be sure to pick up this week's issue, on news stands and online on Thursday.

10:33pm:

Maggie Q. Thompson is at Kathryn Whitley Chu’s victory party. The AISD Trustee, District 4, candidate handily defeated opponent Clint Small with 71% of the vote.

Kathryn Whitley Chu is beaming at Taco Flats, where her party has wound down. She says AISD will have an incredibly unique opportunity with so many teachers on the board. “The board of trustees has not traditionally been a board of professional educators so they rely on…” 🧵

— Maggie Q. Thompson (@maggietatx) November 9, 2022

…the upper echelon of the district to tell them what’s going on. … It’s how things have always been done. The status quo is over.”

— Maggie Q. Thompson (@maggietatx) November 9, 2022

10:24pm:

In D3, it's looking like Valázquez and Silva will face each other in the run-off. In D5, Bazan and Alter are number 1 and 2. pic.twitter.com/Z7KTE1L5mt

— Austin Sanders (@daustinsanders) November 9, 2022

Final results for D5: Bazan and Alter go to a runoff with Bazan in the lead; D8: Ellis sweeps

— Lina Fisher (@11nafisher) November 9, 2022

Manor voters pulling through for Cap Metro: nearly 80% of voters want to continue funding transit in the city, meager as the service may be. They're getting that commuter rail line in Project Connect, though. That'll be pretty sweet. pic.twitter.com/b8zFX963J5

— Austin Sanders (@daustinsanders) November 9, 2022

Lago Vista voters faced the same question: keep Cap Metro Services or cut em off. So far, they're voting to support transit, though by a more narrow margin than in Manor. pic.twitter.com/jJDybkCaht

— Austin Sanders (@daustinsanders) November 9, 2022

10:11pm: Staff writer Austin Sanders on the mayoral race, which is headed, as expected, to a run-off.

We've got some Election Day results in for Travis County. Watson and Israel's vote share both dropped a bit, but still basically the same outcome. pic.twitter.com/voiLBo8Oty

— Austin Sanders (@daustinsanders) November 9, 2022

How about that Jennifer Virden underperformance, though? Past elections show that about 25% of Austin voters are Republican. Presumably some of those Republicans voted for Watson, so the run-off question becomes how many of Virden's voters will go for Watson?

— Austin Sanders (@daustinsanders) November 9, 2022

Made it out to speakeasy for Kirk Watson’s party. Bit of a different crowd and vibe than Israel’s party. Little somber, but not totally downtrodden. pic.twitter.com/i0h2vaQ3ZK

— Austin Sanders (@daustinsanders) November 9, 2022

Talked with Watson a bit. He said he wasn’t surprised that Israel was ahead after early vote and he wouldn’t have been surprised if he was ahead instead given the number of candidates in the race.

— Austin Sanders (@daustinsanders) November 9, 2022

His focus in the run-off is going to be reminding older voters and educating newer ones of his mayoral record. Seems like the Watson name ID didn’t come through much, with early voters at least. But presumably he’ll have the money to message around it over the next 5 weeks.

— Austin Sanders (@daustinsanders) November 9, 2022

10:05pm:

Unsurprisingly, gubernatorial hopeful Beto O'Rourke easily won the Travis County vote (see below), but Republican incumbent Greg Abbott has decisively carried the state to win reelection.

9:57pm:

Lina Fisher is at District 5 City Council candidate Stephanie Bazan’s party. With 100% precincts reporting, D5 will go to a run-off.

Bazan's party at the Waterloo Icehouse in far South Austin has a jovial familial vibe; she attributes her lead to getting out and knocking doors and a campaign that was "smart about how we use our money... I've learned how to stretch dollars"

— Lina Fisher (@11nafisher) November 9, 2022

"We came really far south.. we talked to people who frankly, some others don't care to spend time with .... far south Austin, there were trips we did that nobody else touched"

— Lina Fisher (@11nafisher) November 9, 2022

She emphasizes what's clear from the crowd: "I'm from here – I had so many people come up and say 'Are you the Crockett cougar?' Or 'my sister used to work with you at St. Eds.' Some of my former students were in line today. That’s the community coming out for you."

— Lina Fisher (@11nafisher) November 9, 2022

9:33pm

We're still waiting for Election Day numbers, but the Travis County Democratic Party is celebrating a slate of Dem candidates certain to win in this firmly blue county.

Congratulations to Laurie Eiserloh on her election as Judge for the 455th Judicial District! pic.twitter.com/XWXx9LZdXX

— Travis County Democratic Party (@TCDP) November 9, 2022

Congratulations to @VoteDyana on her election as Travis County Clerk! pic.twitter.com/SBmyjTIUe5

— Travis County Democratic Party (@TCDP) November 9, 2022

Congratulations to @AndyBrownATX on his re-election as Travis County Judge! pic.twitter.com/duvVOsI08Y

— Travis County Democratic Party (@TCDP) November 9, 2022

Congratulations to @GinaForAustin on her re-election to the Texas State House of Representatives in District 49! pic.twitter.com/nfO09sVDGh

— Travis County Democratic Party (@TCDP) November 9, 2022

Congratulations to @VoteLuluFlores on her election as State Representative for HD51! pic.twitter.com/ScsJSkFtry

— Travis County Democratic Party (@TCDP) November 9, 2022

Congratulations to @donnahowardTX on her re-election as State Representative for HD48! pic.twitter.com/YcafCRiLL1

— Travis County Democratic Party (@TCDP) November 9, 2022

Congratulations @JamesTalarico on his election to Texas State House District 50! pic.twitter.com/Ey7H5166xb

— Travis County Democratic Party (@TCDP) November 9, 2022

9:15pm:

New Texas congressman Greg Casar showed up at Natasha Harper-Madison's election party to congratulate her on her convincing D1 win. pic.twitter.com/afPxccNizU

— Brant Bingamon (@BrantBingamon) November 9, 2022

9:10pm:

In AISD races so far, @gonzalesforaisd @hunterforAISD, and Kathryn Whitley Chu are leading by large margins. All three have recent experience teaching in AISD. If they’re all elected it will be, as Andrew says, “unprecedented” pic.twitter.com/yIScwHseQD

— Maggie Q. Thompson (@maggietatx) November 9, 2022

In AISD races so far, @gonzalesforaisd @hunterforAISD, and Kathryn Whitley Chu are leading by large margins. All three have recent experience teaching in AISD. If they’re all elected it will be, as Andrew says, “unprecedented” pic.twitter.com/yIScwHseQD

— Maggie Q. Thompson (@maggietatx) November 9, 2022

Of course @david_kauffman, also a longtime AISD front-liner, is uncontested. Shaping up to be a very progressive board.

— Maggie Q. Thompson (@maggietatx) November 9, 2022

Chronicle staff writer Austin Sanders is at mayoral candidate Celia Israel's campaign party at Luster Pearl East.

Israel is about to address her supporters. But first, Travis County Attorney Delia Garza. pic.twitter.com/HVb4ldZgeZ

— Austin Sanders (@daustinsanders) November 9, 2022

Israel: “We did it. We made it to a run-off and we made it against some of the most powerful interests in austin. pic.twitter.com/a2sKQUQfNN

— Austin Sanders (@daustinsanders) November 9, 2022

Congratulations to @VikkiGoodwinTX on her re-election as State Representative for HD47! pic.twitter.com/OWCiCJ1zgB

— Travis County Democratic Party (@TCDP) November 9, 2022

Congratulations to @JudithZaffirini on her re-election to the Texas Senate! pic.twitter.com/mApB5S3Cbl

— Travis County Democratic Party (@TCDP) November 9, 2022

Congratulations to @SherylCole1 on her re-election as State Representative for HD46! pic.twitter.com/oGhOm1J1dJ

— Travis County Democratic Party (@TCDP) November 9, 2022

Congratulations to @LloydDoggettTX on his successful reelection to Congress! #TX37 pic.twitter.com/xXlko2YeZp

— Travis County Democratic Party (@TCDP) November 9, 2022

Congratulations to @Sarah_Eckhardt on her re-election to the Texas Senate! pic.twitter.com/7jJuQyjMqg

— Travis County Democratic Party (@TCDP) November 9, 2022

Congratulations to @GregCasar on his election to Congress! #TX35 pic.twitter.com/RDqTgGMGlM

— Travis County Democratic Party (@TCDP) November 9, 2022

8:47pm:

The Chronicle news team is crisscrossing the city at Election Night watch parties. Brant Bingamon is covering a tight race in District 3.

I'm doing election coverage for the Chron y'all! Classic Eastside party at Jose Velasquez's house with norteno (among other music styles), bbq, tamales, and neighborhood friends. Looking like a runoff developing in this D3 race with Velasquez and Daniela Silva. pic.twitter.com/ys99ErWe9Q

— Brant Bingamon (@BrantBingamon) November 9, 2022

Different vibe at Daniela Silva's election party. Lotsa 20-somethings in a hip bar on Shady Lane. Silva is crediting grassroots organizing for her close race against Jose Velasquez. pic.twitter.com/6sOrpZlGbI

— Brant Bingamon (@BrantBingamon) November 9, 2022

Chron News Editor Mike Clark-Madison is at the Stephen F. Austin Hotel, HQ for the Travis County Dems.

A fired-up @sarah_eckhardt tells the crowd “we have the great democracy on earth and it will not die on our watch. We must defend it.”

— Mike Clark-Madison (@mclarkmadison) November 9, 2022

Things are looking very good for @gonzalesforaisd right now pic.twitter.com/Q9Fa5HVRtH

— Maggie Q. Thompson (@maggietatx) November 9, 2022

The vibe at the Little Darlin’ where his supporters are gathered: pic.twitter.com/OrkFtQvJmy

— Maggie Q. Thompson (@maggietatx) November 9, 2022

8:26pm

Lina Fisher on Paige Ellis' cruising to reelection in the Austin City Council District 8 race.

Ellis campaign declares victory in D8 with 60% of the vote: “I look forward to bringing common-sense decision making to the dais as we face the challenges ahead,” she said in a press release.

— Lina Fisher (@11nafisher) November 9, 2022

Lina Fisher reports on the Austin City Council District 5 race, where Ryan Alter and Stephanie Bazan are leading a pack of six candidates.

Ryan Alter says if he goes to runoff with Bazan, "It says the voters want something different out of District 5, Stephanie and I represent an approach that creates more housing throughout the city... and what we're doing right now is not what people want"

— Lina Fisher (@11nafisher) November 9, 2022

Interesting that traditional conservative Bill Welch, who ran with an anti-defund bent, is beating out Aaron-Velasquez Webman, a recent California transplant that emphasized cracking down on public camping

— Lina Fisher (@11nafisher) November 9, 2022

Many people are saying webman is not only the most annoying person in the D5 race, but possibly the most annoying person they’ve ever met. https://t.co/nvgaGCFJJm

— Austin Sanders (@daustinsanders) November 9, 2022

Travis County Dem Chair @KatieNaranjo telling crowd at Stephen F where Beto is winning big in the urban counties (75% here). Shouting out all the volunteers.

— Mike Clark-Madison (@mclarkmadison) November 9, 2022

8:03pm:

Celia Israel arrives at her watch party after posting a surprising early vote lead tonight. pic.twitter.com/dDl1BS8qvm

— Austin Sanders (@daustinsanders) November 9, 2022

7:50pm

@GregCasar tells the crowd Texas is not a red state but an under organized one. “we show the progressive movement is alive and well in TX … What I’m talking about is a lifetime commitment to be here for one another … You can lose an election but you can’t lose a movement “ pic.twitter.com/6opaIzMMLT

— Mike Clark-Madison (@mclarkmadison) November 9, 2022

7:38pm

.@GregCasar has won his race for Congress in Texas. As a movement organizer fighting for working families, Greg is exactly the kind of leader we need in D.C.

Greg has passed policies to prevent families from being separated, raised wages, and expanded civil rights protections. pic.twitter.com/AEjjqJOyJn

— Working Families Party 🐺 (@WorkingFamilies) November 9, 2022

@RepLloydDoggett says of @GregCasar “now I have a partner” but sharing his experience as a freshman in 94 under Gingrich. “It will be a tough evening tonight…it doesn’t take much to retake the House. Then quotes Churchill “when going through hell, keep on going” pic.twitter.com/Cn3gIsEzKB

— Mike Clark-Madison (@mclarkmadison) November 9, 2022

Paige Ellis mopping the floor in SW Austin's D8. Pretty impressive feat given this is ostensibly a swing district on Council. I guess the Republicans couldn't find a worthy challenger. pic.twitter.com/kWpeHmvvEO

— Austin Sanders (@daustinsanders) November 9, 2022

Here are early results in the 4 contested AISD trustee races. The AISD old guard goes down in D1 and Rodriguez, the current board president, didn't fair much better. Singh, the most universally trustee, sails to victory in the at-large seat. pic.twitter.com/Ta4IPPuOkf

— Austin Sanders (@daustinsanders) November 9, 2022

7:16pm

The Travis County Clerk's office has posted the complete unofficial early voting in person results and partial ballot by mail results for the November 8 general election

6:34pm:

➡️6:30pm update: Over 120,000 people have voted in-person today.
⚠️The polls closed in 30 minutes!
➡️Make a voting plan at https://t.co/StJCcmVs2p and remember, anyone in line by 7pm is able to vote. #ElectionDay #TravisCounty pic.twitter.com/aAvclq3lpo

— Travis County Clerk (@TravisCoClerk) November 9, 2022