Minjarez Wins Runoff for Last Vacancy in Legislature

Former Bexar County prosecutor Ina Minjarez cruised to victory late Tuesday in the runoff for José Menéndez's old seat in Texas House District 124, the last vacancy this session in the Legislature. 

With all precincts reporting, Minjarez led Delicia Herrera, a former member of the San Antonio City Council, by just under 10 percentage points, according to unofficial returns. Minjarez beat Herrera, a fellow Democrat, by another double-digit margin in the first round of the race last month, a four-way contest.

Turnout for the runoff was 2.77 percent, slightly higher than the rate for the March 31 vote. That was the lowest turnout the state had on record for a competitive special election for a legislative seat.  

The contest generated few headlines and was light on policy discussion. Minjarez easily outraised Herrera, who looked to counter Minjarez’s advantage throughout the runoff with a strong ground game in an area she represented on the City Council. 

HD-124 has been without a state representative since Menéndez, a San Antonio Democrat, won a promotion to the upper chamber in February. The solidly blue district covers part of San Antonio’s West Side.