HD-83: Jones and Perry Will Go to Runoff

With all precincts reporting, Rep. Delwin Jones, R-Lubbock, has 39 percent of the vote — the plurality, but not enough to win the District 83 GOP primary. He'll face Lubbock accountant Charles Perry in next month's runoff.

The best funded candidate, challenger Zach Brady, ultimately lost the race outright. Brady, a Lubbock attorney who has previously lobbied the Legislature, led in fundraising throughout the race, and in his last eight-day report, he’d received $71,000, compared with Jones’ $66,000 and Perry’s $7,200.

The news that he made the runoff wasn't a surprise to Perry. "It’s not a money issue around here," he said. "It’s a person issue."

But Perry will have an uphill battle. Perry has come under attack, particularly from Brady, for only voting in one primary in the last ten years.

Jones' campaign says they split votes with Brady, and in the run-off, they hope to bring those voters on board. 

"I do feel confident that we can persuade Zach’s voters to vote for us," said campaign spokesman Scott Mann, "because we are the best candidate for West Texas."

Jones has money coming from powerful corners, including $15,0000 from the House Leadership Fund, controlled by Speaker Joe Straus, R-San Antonio.

Jones is one of the 11 “cardinals,” the Republicans who unseated Speaker Tom Craddick, R-Midland, and chose Straus as a replacement. Now Jones chairs the House Redistricting Committee.

Jones drew challengers in 2006 and 2008, pulling through both times.

Jones has pretty deep roots in the House. He served from 1965 to 1973 and his current tenure began in 1989.

Our full primary results are available on the 2010 elections landing page.