Runoff candidates making the most of state GOP convention
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With so many runoffs in the primary election, many GOP candidates are taking advantage of the Texas Republican Convention to network with those in the party.
In last Tuesday's election, Wes Riddle went from 11 opponents for the U.S. Congressional District 25 seat to just one.
"A lot of people who didn't pay a mind to the race are now paying a mind since it's down to two people," Riddle said.
A total of 34 primary races will be decided July 31—the majority of them Republican.
"This is the sprint to the finish finally," candidate for Railroad Commissioner Christi Craddick said. “We kind of expected a runoff. It would've been nice without one, but we expected a runoff. So that wasn't bad. There's really a lot of runoffs."
That means many of the candidates seen at the GOP state convention wouldn't be here otherwise, at least not in this capacity.
When Craddick's not at her booth, she's attending the senatorial caucuses to shake hands and get her name out there in hopes of winning her runoff for Railroad Commissioner.
"This is probably the first state convention where there have been active runoffs going on during the convention. I think it's an added layer that no one's experienced yet," Scott Field, Justice for Third Court of Appeals candidate, said.
"I think we're all trying to mind our P's and Q's. Be good Republicans. Come together,” Riddle said. “Understand that when it's all said and done we're going to be on the same team."
Craddick said because there are so many runoffs, many groups who wouldn't normally meet in the summer, will gather so the candidates can address them.