After 16 years representing people in parts of Tarrant, Denton and Dallas counties, U.S. Rep. Kenny Marchant (R) is stepping down, leaving his District 24 seat open and primed for a flip.
District 24 Race Results: Republican | Democrat
Tuesday night, 12 candidates, seven Democrats and five Republicans, squared off in their first fight in the battle for the congressional seat.
On the Republican side, Beth Van Duyne took 64% of the vote and avoided a runoff after taking an early and substantial lead over her four challengers.
Van Duyne served two and a half years as a U.S. Housing and Urban Development Texas regional appointee in the Trump Administration after six years as Irving mayor and six years on the Irving City Council.
The former mayor was challenged for the GOP nomination by Carrollton real estate businesswoman Sunny Chaparala, Army veteran Desi Maes, David Fegan and Jeron Liverman. More on the GOP race, candidates can be read here.
Kim Olson was nine points away from avoiding a run off, but will now have a showdown with Candace Valenzuela on May 26. Olson secured 41% of the primary vote to Valenzuela's 30%; the next closest challenger was Jan McDowell who tallied 10% of the total.
McDowell, who has campaigned for the Dist. 24 seat three times, was one of seven Democrats in a crowded field that included Crystal Fletcher, John Biggan, Sam Vega and Richard Fleming.
Five of the Democrats sat down with NBC 5's Allie Spillyards last week to discuss healthcare, immigration and divisiveness, among other things. Portions of those interviews can be seen here.
NBC 5's Allie Spillyards and Ken Kalthoff contributed to this article.
