Air Force veteran Mary 鈥淢J鈥� Hegar, who led a crowded Democratic field to challenge U.S. Sen. John Cornyn for his seat in November, is heading to a runoff election with Dallas state Sen. Royce West.
Hegar, a former helicopter rescue pilot, captured 25% of the votes cast in the Democratic primary. Her two nearest challengers, West and labor organizer Cristina Tzintz煤n Ramirez of Austin, fought for the second-place spot overnight and into Wednesday. By the afternoon, Ramirez had conceded. She picked up 13.2% of the vote, compared to his 14.5%.
Hegar thanked supporters at a campaign watch party in Austin on Tuesday before turning her sights on Cornyn.
鈥淵our time is done because you've sold us out,鈥� Hegar said. 鈥淵ou're fired. Pack it up buttercup because I' m coming for your seat.鈥�
West and Ramirez, meanwhile, told supporters that the race was too close to call.
鈥淚鈥檓 used to be underestimated,鈥� Ramirez said at a watch party in Austin. 鈥淚t鈥檚 still early."
"We will issue a statement in the morning as final results become more clear,鈥� West tweeted.
Hegar entered this year鈥檚 crowded Democratic primary race strong, fresh off a slim defeat in 2018 when she quickly rose from political newbie to nearly replacing 18-year incumbent U.S. Rep. John Carter in Texas鈥� 31st congressional district.
Last December, Hegar was endorsed by the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee, a move criticized as being premature because the decision seemed to ignore a more diverse candidate field. Ramirez has been endorsed by New York Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez.
The runoff is May 26.
This post has been updated.