This week’s primary runoff election saw pro-family conservatives gain ground, winning the most high-profile races around the state.

The Texas Senate looks to become even more conservative after victories in both senate runoff races by Texas Values Action endorsed candidates. In SD 1, Faith and Family Champion Bryan Hughes easily won the open seat race to replace Sen. Kevin Eltife. Hughes has been a longtime fighter for religious freedom and marriage in the Texas House where he also served as the Pro-Life Whip.

In SD 24, Dawn Buckingham prevailed over Rep. Susan King in the open seat race to replace Sen. Troy Fraser. Rep. King, one of the lower scoring Republicans in our 2015 Faith and Family Scorecard (69%), was one of three House Committee Chairs, appointed by moderate House Speaker Joe Straus, defeated in this runoff election.

Two other House Committee Chairs, Rep. Wayne Smith in HD 128 and Rep. Doug Miller in HD 73, were unseated by Texas Values Action endorsed challengers Briscoe Cain and Kyle Biederman, respectively. Rep. Smith and Rep. Miller both scored 66% on our 2015 Faith and Family Scorecard and were among the lowest scoring Republicans in the Texas House.

Both Cain and Biederman withstood tremendous negative onslaughts by their moderate incumbent opponents and were considerably outspent but prevailed with positive, issue focused campaigns, highlighting their strong pro-religious freedom, pro-marriage, and pro-life stances.

The Cain and Biederman victories, along with Texas Values Action endorsed Cole Hefner’s victory in HD 5, continues to build the ranks of strong, pro-family conservatives in the Texas House.

Finally, in the most widely watched statewide race, Texas Values Action endorsee Wayne Christian won the race for Railroad Commissioner, defeating Gary Gates. Christian, who was known as a stalwart, pro-family conservative during his time in the Texas House, won the race with the support of leading conservative organizations across the state despite being severely outspent.

This primary runoff election, building on the last several election cycles, was another big victory for the pro-family conservative movement in Texas. Across the state, voters have sent the message that they expect elected leaders to protect our First Freedom, defend the unborn, and stand up for family values.

Click here to view full results of the May 24 Primary Runoff Election.