Campaign

George P. Bush wins primary in Texas

by Ben Kamisar - 03/06/18 11:31 PM ET

George P. Bush, Texas’s current land commissioner, has won his GOP primary race outright, fending off a tough challenge from a former office holder and avoiding a runoff.

Bush bested former land commissioner Jerry Patterson with help from a late endorsement from President Trump. The Associated Press projected Bush the outright winner shortly after 10 p.m. local time, when he had about 58 percent of the vote.

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Patterson spent the final days of the race blasting Bush for a lack of campaign appearances and questioning his management of the historic Alamo site. But those attacks ultimately couldn’t stop Bush, son of former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush, from winning the GOP primary.

“The name is definitely an asset here in the state,” Bush said during a Tuesday morning appearance on Fox News, referring to his famous family that includes two former presidents.

“Along with the president’s endorsement, I think it shows we are able to get support from many different types of Republicans,” he added.

With little serious Democratic challenge expected in a general election, the primary result all but secures Bush’s reelection bid.

Tags Donald Trump