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Former Army captain and Iraq war veteran Wesley Hunt won the Republican nomination for Houston's newest congressional district. He beat a field of nine rivals with well over 50% of the vote, avoiding a runoff.
Hunt came within four points of beating Congresswoman Lizzie Fletcher in 2020. Since then, state GOP lawmakers carved out a new district, Texas’ 38th, specifically with him in mind.
TX-38 stretches from the Energy Corridor in western Harris County northwards to Cypress and Tomball. It includes the most conservative portions of Fletcher’s former 7th district with portions of the deep red 8th district, from which Congressman Kevin Brady is retiring.
"Wesley Hunt grew up in the district,” said political analyst Jacquie Baly. "He has over $1 million. His endorsements include heavy hitters like (U.S. House) Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy and Sen. Ted Cruz."
Add to that the endorsement last month by former President Donald Trump, and Hunt proved unbeatable.
Meanwhile, the Democratic primary is likely heading for a runoff between Diana Martinez Alexander and Duncan F. Klussman. Neither of these Democrats are likely to fare well against Hunt because of the way the GOP-led Legislature drew the district.
“Republicans start off with a 25 point advantage, which is unbeatable in any general election,” Rice University political scientist Mark Jones said.