Virdell declares victory in Republican Primary
Wes Virdell speaks with Bandera County voters at a recent election event. BULLETIN PHOTO
In a declaration of victory in the Texas Republican Primary, Wes Virdell said Tuesday night that he is "ready to go to work" as State Representative for House District 53.
He will face Democratic candidate Joe P. Herrera in November. Herrera ran unopposed.
The winner of the battle replaces Andrew Murr, who was first elected to the position in 2014 and announced his retirement last year.
With an estimated 93 percent of votes counted, the Austin American-Statesman reported Virdell carried 60.2 percent of the vote to opponent Hatch Smith's 39.8.
Virdell released the following statement Tuesday night:
"Tonight marks not just a victory for our campaign, but a victory for the core conservative values that make Texas the greatest state in the nation. I am invigorated by the overwhelming support from true Texas patriots who have placed their trust in me to fiercely defend our liberty and our way of life in House District 53.
"With the support of President Trump, Senator Ted Cruz, Congressman Chip Roy and Attorney General Ken Paxton, I am more than ready to get to Austin and push back against the liberal agendas and special interests that threaten our traditional values, the values that inspired my family generations ago to plant roots and start businesses here, and the values that remind me every day why I chose to raise my own kids in the heart of our State.
"I’m ready to go to work."