Some candidates involved in the upcoming May 22 runoff primary election shared their thoughts Wednesday on where their campaigns have been and where they’re headed.

Tina Bradley, a candidate for the 172^nd Judicial District judgeship on the Democrat Party side, said she is fired up about the runoff election.

“We organized late at the first of the year. We got the volunteers in place and we’ve been at it for two months,” she said. “I’m not a politician; I’m a lawyer who wants to be a judge. We’ve accomplished a lot and we’re just getting started.”

Bradley said it’s difficult when three candidates are running for one job to get a majority vote of 50 percent. She said her campaign will focus on the good momentum built and staying organized.

Bradley also said she would like to go the high schools and host seminars in civic education.

“They would be 15- or 20-minute seminars to teach about civics. Things they’re not taught about in school. A lot of people didn’t know much about a primary election,” she said.

Bradley said she was thrilled several Republicans crossed over to vote for her. She added that she’ll ask Kent Johns supporters, a 172^nd District candidate who didn’t make it to the runoff election, for their votes.

“I’m in it to win it,” Bradley said.

Tuesday night results showed Melody Chappell with 6,109 votes, or 43.66 percent; Tina Bradley with 4,943 votes, or 35.86 percent; and Kent Johns with 2,823 votes, or 20.48 percent.

In another hotly contested race, Tom Gillam III, incumbent Jefferson County justice of the peace for Precinct 8, talked about his campaign going into the runoff election.

He thinks Tuesday night’s vote confirmed voters have much confidence in him, though he was unable to campaign vigorously due to his mother’s critical illness.

Tuesday night’s results in that race were: Gillam, 510 votes or 45.09 percent; Joseph Guillory II, 260 votes or 22.99 percent; and Melanie Ned, 250 votes or 22.10 percent. Antoine Leonard Freeman got 111 votes or 9.81 percent.

“It was made clear last night the majority still favors me,” he said. “My contenders didn’t have my numbers combined. That speaks volumes. I’m humbled.”

For the runoff, Gillam said he would continue to do as he has always done. “If my work and service don’t speak for me, nothing else will. I will continue to bring integrity, compassion and fairness to the office. I remain unbought and I will continue to be the people’s favorite judge.

“I want to thank everyone who voted for me and if you didn’t vote for me, I will win you back.”

In the Precinct 8 race third-place finisher Melanie Ned endorsed Joseph Guillory II in the runoff race. She said she endorsed him because Guillory asked her to do so.

“It was on a first-come, first-served basis,” Ned said.

Statewide, there was no clear winner in the Democratic Party gubernatorial race and it too will go to a runoff election.

James Jolly Clark       DEM    11,543           2.04%      21,945       2.15%

Cedric Davis, Sr.         DEM    41,977           7.44%      83,936       8.24%

Joe Mumbach                         DEM   7,153               1.26%               13,921        1.36%

Adrian Ocegueda       DEM   23,489           4.16%    44,825        4.40%

Jeffrey Payne            DEM    26,427           4.68%    48,406        4.75%

Lupe Valdez              DEM     240,063         42.60%   436,659     42.89%

Tom Wakely            DEM      19,012           3.37%   34,889      3.42%

Andrew White           DEM    162,830         28.89%   278,704    27.37%

Grady Yarbrough      DEM    30,996           5.50%      54,655      5.36%

Early voting total                   563,490                        Total               1,017,940

According to the Texas Secretary of State website, the timeline for the May 22 primary runoff election is as follows:

• The last day to register to vote is Monday, April 23. The last day to apply by mail (received, not postmarked) is Friday, May 11.
• The first day of early voting is Monday, May 14. The last day of early voting is Friday, May 18. The last day to receive ballot by mail is Tuesday, May 22 at 7 p.m. if carrier envelope is not postmarked, or Wednesday, May 23 (next business day after Election Day) at 5 p.m. If carrier envelope is postmarked by 7 p.m. at the location of the lection on Election Day (unless overseas or military voter deadlines apply).

Locally, Theresa Goodness chief deputy for the Jefferson County Clerk’s office, said officials are still unofficial until votes are canvassed. She added that there are still 60 provisional ballots and a few late ballots that need to be counted.

The parties will canvass the local votes on March 15 and the state parties will canvas March 18. There were no Republican Party elections in runoff.