Lambert wins Republican primary for House 71; HD 60 headed to runoff, HD 68 incumbent wins

Republican State Rep. Stan Lambert on Tuesday handily withstood a primary challenge in Texas House District 71, while the House District 60 GOP primary is headed to a runoff, based on unofficial tabulation of votes.

Due to 2021 Texas redistricting, several Big Country counties to the east and south are now in House District 68, with Republican Rep. David Spiller of Jacksboro appearing to secure a second term.

There is not a Democrat on the November ballot.

First-term State Rep. Glenn Rogers of Graford had a majority lead for the Republican House District 60 primary much of the night until more precinct votes came in for Parker County. His lead then slipped below 50%, with challenger Mike Olcott close behind to trigger a May 24 runoff.

Election results: 2022 Abilene, Taylor County Election March 1 Joint Primary

The Legislature in 2021 adjusted district boundaries based on U.S. Census 2020 population shifts. Some of the district changes were dramatic for Big Country counties.

The new districts become effective for the 2023 terms, so the 2022 elections are based on the redrawn boundaries.

Following are recaps from Tuesday's primary for Abilene's Texas House District 71 and House Districts 60 and 68 that include several Big Country counties.

Texas House District 71

With 100% of precincts reporting, incumbent Lambert had 12,951 (76%) votes, compared to 4,175 (24%) for first-time candidate Samuel Weatherby.

"I am honored to once again have the endorsement of my friends and neighbors in my reelection campaign," Lambert said while watching results at home. "I look forward to the general election, and the opportunity to continue to serve the people of District 71."

For the 2022 elections, Texas House District 71 grew from Jones, Nolan and Taylor counties to now include Callahan.

Lambert said his experience was a factor in the victory.

"I have shown I can create results," Lambert said.

He added that the campaign issues that resonated with his voters included a strong economic recovery, border security and maintaining education funding.

Weatherby's candidacy was a first, and he was pleased with his turnout, he said.

"I ran my own campaign. I self-funded everything," Weatherby said.

He said he learned a lot during the campaign and expects to run for public office again.

"There's a lot that I would like to see changed, and I'm willing to continue to fight until change actually happens," Weatherby said.

Lambert, who was elected in 2016, has drawn an opponent in Linda Goolsbee, also of Abilene, in the Democratic primary. Goolsbee was unopposed in the primary.

Redistricting: Abilene's political representation changes in 2022

Texas House District 60

Incumbent Rogers had 12,160 votes (44% of the votes cast), with 100% of precincts reporting late Wednesday morning. Retired biochemist Mike Olcott followed with 10,045, or 36%, based on unofficial results.

Rogers faced Republican primary opponents this year in a redrawn House District 60 that moved more to the east and north of the old boundaries. There is no Democratic candidate for the November election.

House District 60 now is comprised of Palo Pinto, Parker and just one Big Country county, Stephens.

Also running in the GOP primary were eight-time Aledo mayor Kit Marshall (3,236 votes, for 12%) and attorney Lucas Turner (2,393 votes, for 9%).

Rogers carried the rural counties of Palo Pinto (2,867 votes for 73%), where he resides, and Stephens (1,105, 75%).

Olcott made up ground in denser-populated Parker County, where he lives. Olcott had 9,032 votes (40%), compared to 8,188 (37%) for Rogers in that county.

Rogers, in a Wednesday afternoon statement, described his second-place finish in Parker County "a remarkable showing" given that it was a new county in the district following redistricting.

“I know that there is no time to rest," Rogers said. "I take no vote for granted, and it is more important than ever for us to keep the momentum heading into the runoff."

Campaign issues include "improve transportation infrastructure, strengthen public education, secure the border and continue upon the gains made during my first term in office," Rogers said.

Veterinarian Rogers, who owns the Holt River Ranch in Palo Pinto County, first won the seat by beating Cisco businessman Jon Francis in a runoff race on July 14, 2020. Mike Lang had vacated the position.

Olcott is a fifth-generation Texan who returned to his home state after working in academic cancer research.

"I'm so grateful that so many Republican voters rallied around our conservative message," Olcott said in a statement Wednesday afternoon. "Four months ago, I was at single digits in the polls and on Election Day we garnered overwhelming support."

As a member of the border security volunteer group Minutemen, which he joined in 2005, Olcott spent more than 50 nights on the US-Mexican border assisting the U.S. Border Patrol, according to his campaign website.

He has been a Parker County Republican precinct chairman since 2014, is co-founder of Parker County Conservatives and served on the State Republican Executive Committee.

Olcott credited his grassroots volunteers for their help in the campaign, including when he was hospitalized for COVID-19 pneumonia.

"We are looking forward to taking this momentum into the runoff," Olcott said.

Texas House District 68

With 100% of the precincts reported as of Wednesday early afternoon, incumbent Spiller carried all 12 counties in the redrawn House District 68, receiving 21,423 votes (70%).

Mark Middleton of Cooke County was in a distant second with 4,130 (14%). Following up were Craig Carter of Nocona with 2,748 (9%) votes and Gary Franklin of Lampasas with 2,391 (8%).

For the 2022 elections, the Texas House District 68 includes some counties that were south of the original boundaries.

More: Phil Crowley scores 83% of the vote to win race for Taylor County judge

Counties in House District 68 are Brown, Comanche, Cooke, Eastland, Jack, Lampasas, Mills, Montague, San Saba, Shackleford, Throckmorton and Young.

Spiller took office March 9 after winning a special election against Carter.

The Republican winner will represent the district in Austin because there were no Democratic primary candidates.

Spiller is a Jacksboro native who has practiced law for 35 years with the family firm Spiller & Spiller, which today includes his two sons. He also owns Spiller Title, started by his great-grandfather in 1888.

The private law practice has included Spiller serving as the city attorney for the city of Jacksboro and general counsel for the Jack County Hospital District. He also is a credentialed advanced mediator.

Prior to being elected as a state representative, Spiller was a Jacksboro ISD trustee for 26 years. His wife, Ginger, was a school teacher for more than 30 years.

Laura Gutschke is a general assignment reporter and food columnist and manages online content for the Reporter-News. If you appreciate locally driven news, you can support local journalists with a digital subscription to ReporterNews.com.

This article originally appeared on Abilene Reporter-News: Lambert gets House 71 GOP nod; HD 60 in runoff, HD 68 incumbent wins