The runoff elections for Texas House District 44 concluded on Tuesday night, marking a pivotal moment in a particularly intense election cycle. The heightened stakes were driven by the efforts of Governor Greg Abbott and Attorney General Ken Paxton, whose influence pushed eight incumbents into runoff races.
Notably, Alan Schoolcraft who won the runoff for HD 44 was backed by Abbott to take down Former Incumbent John Kuempel who voted against vouchers. At the time of the publication of this article, Schoolcraft received 8,898 votes (55.5%) against Kuempel who received 7,129 (44.5%).
Seven-term state Rep. John Kuempel faced a tough battle for an eighth term after strong opposition to his votes against school choice legislation and for the impeachment of Attorney General Ken Paxton pushed his campaign into a runoff.
In District 44’s primary election, no candidate secured a decisive victory in the four-man race, Kuempel garnered 45.98%, while Alan Schoolcraft received 49.12%. David Freimarck and Greg Switzer trailed at 2.35% and 2.54% respectively.
Schoolcraft, who is running a pro-school choice platform to align himself with the conservative wing of the GOP said in a statement that he was the unequivocal conservative choice.
“From day one, I have demonstrated that I am undeniably the real conservative in this race. Not a single moment have I wavered from my dedication to faith, family values, and conservative principles,” he said.
