HOUSTON – Eleven people are vying for the seat being vacated by Rep. Gene Green, a Democrat who has held the seat for 25 years.
Green has represented the district that covers Humble, parts of east Houston and Pasadena, for 13 terms. He announced in November that he wouldn’t seek re-election.
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Voters on Tuesday will pick from seven Democrats and four Republicans, the candidates that will stand for the general election.
Analysts said state Sen. Sylvia Garcia and health care executive Tahir Javed are among the front runners for the Democrats, who will likely keep the seat.
“That’s a safe Democratic seat, meaning whoever wins the Democratic primary wins the general election,” Rice University professor Mark Jones said.
Jones said if Garcia pulls off the win, she would become the first Latina ever to represent Texas in Congress.
“I think it just shows (the) growing power of Latinos in Texas, and particularly Latinas, in the sense that we’re seeing more Latina women running for public office,” Jones said.
While Garcia seems to be favored among Democrats, Jones said, it still remains to be seen if she can garner enough votes to avoid a runoff in May.
Results of the race
Real-time results of this race will be available below after the polls close at 7 p.m.