ARK GOV PRIMARY: Last night In the Arkansas GOP primary for Governor, incumbent Asa Hutchinson defeated Jan Morgan, a gun range owner who had challenged him, saying Hutchinson was not a “true conservative”. Hutchinson touted $150 million in tax cuts he's signed into law, as well as his record on gun rights and anti-abortion measures, and says his 2-1 victory margin in the Republican primary means voters rejected "negative voices."
Hutchinson addressed supporters after the primary and said “I've said all along this race has also been about the soul of the Republican party.”
Hutchinson’s opponent, challenger—Jan Morgan of Hot Springs, is a former TV news reporter, gun rights activist and occasional cable news commentator who had received notoriety when she declared her Hot Springs gun range "Muslim-free" in 2014.
TX GOV CANDIDATE- The Lone Star State has the first openly gay and first Latina-- major-party gubernatorial nominee. Former Dallas County Sheriff Lupe Valdez won the Democratic nomination for governor in Texas last night.
The eighth child of migrant farm workers, Valdez put herself through college, served in the Army, and had a career in federal law enforcement before she was elected Dallas County sheriff in 2004.
After the primary results Valdez told supporters " Because I got a quality public education, had the honor of serving in the military and had a living wage and healthcare when I needed it, I got a fighting chance." Valdez is focusing focusing her message on the state’s economic struggles…and calling for a more inclusive Texas. She also said "I am constantly hearing this is going to be such an uphill battle. Please, tell me when I didn’t have an uphill battle."
Valdez faces tough odds in the fall, failing to win the endorsement of some Hispanic activists because of her past cooperation with federal immigration agents while serving as Dallas County sheriff. Also she faces Gov. Greg Abbott in November who is a well-funded Republican, and Texas hasn’t elected a Democratic governor in nearly 30 years.
