This website is no longer being updated. Sign up for our newsletter and learn more about our new direction at AustinCurrent.org.

Precinct 4 Commissioner Margaret Gómez cruised to win the Democratic nomination Tuesday with 73 percent of the vote in her bid to keep her seat on the Travis County Commissioners Court.

 

However, her relatively unknown opponent, Del Valle School Board member Darla Wegner, was polling a surprising 27 percent, possibly signaling some unrest among the electorate with Gómez, who has held the seat for 19 years.

 

Gómez campaigned lightly this time around but still pulled in heavyweight endorsements, including Congressman Lloyd Doggett, State Rep. Eddie Rodriguez, Sheriff Greg Hamilton and State Sen. Sen. Judith Zaffirini.

 

She had the backing of the Austin Central Labor Council, Combined Law Enforcement Associations of Texas PAC, Travis County Sheriff’s Law Enforcement Association PAC, Travis County Sheriff’s Officers Association PAC, Austin Police Association PAC, and Austin/Travis County EMS Employee Association PAC, virtually all local Democratic groups and the Austin American Statesman and Burnt Orange Report.

 

Wegner did almost nothing in the way of mounting a campaign. She reported having raised only $400 for her campaign.

 

There is no Republican challenger, but Gómez will face Libertarian candidate Joseph Morse on the November ballot.

 

This story was updated to reflect a Libertarian candidate on the November ballot.

 

Mark Richardson is a multimedia journalist, editor and writer who has worked in digital, print and broadcast media for three decades. He is a nationally recognized editor and reporter who has covered government,...