Daugherty wins Precinct 3 primary

Travis County Commissioner Gerald Daugherty will be able to run again for his Precinct 3 seat in November.

With 70.83 percent of the vote, he defeated attorney and businessman Jason Nassour to become the Republican nominee for a sprawling precinct that includes 12 cities in western Travis County as well as downtown Austin and West Campus.

Daugherty received 20,698 out of the 29,222 votes cast in the race, while Nassour earned 8,524 votes.

“I’ve been proud of the way both of us have run the race,” said Daugherty of his opponent during his election night viewing party at the County Line on the Hill.

When reached for comment, Nassour had a similar view of their campaigns.

“With all the ways a campaign can go, it is truly a blessing when you can shake the hand of your opponent, look them in the eye and be thankful and proud to have them on the opposite side,” he said.

As to the reason he won the race, Daugherty said that although Nassour was capable of doing the job, “experience does weigh in heavily for some people in their decisions.”

Daugherty was first elected Precinct 3 county commissioner in 2002, and then again in 2004, but he was defeated by Democrat Karen Huber in 2008. In 2012, he ran again for his former position and was re-elected.

Daugherty is endorsed by the Austin Board of Realtors; the Austin Police Association; the Austin Firefighters Association; the Austin American-Statesman; the Combined Law Enforcement Associations of Texas; and the mayors of the cities of Lakeway, Bee Cave, Cedar Park and Sunset Valley.

Daugherty told the Austin Monitor that one of his key reasons for running for a fourth term was so he could see to it that State Highway 45 Southwest – a four-lane toll road that would connect MoPac to FM 1626 just across the Hays County line – was completed. The project is scheduled to start as early as this spring.

According to his website, Nassour, a fifth-generation Texan, was endorsed by the Travis County Sheriff’s Law Enforcement Association and the chiefs of police of Sunset Valley and Kyle.

Nassour’s campaign priorities included fighting against tax increases, planning for smart growth and adequately funding Travis County’s Sheriff’s Department and first responders.

“I had a wonderful experience and look forward to my next campaign for Travis commissioner,” Nassour said. “At this point, my support and effort will be in assisting Gerald accomplish his final bid for re-election.”

When asked what’s next for him, Daugherty said, “I’ll be low-key for the next three or four months.”

Daugherty will face off against the only Democrat in the race, former legislative aide David Holmes, in November.

“Between now and then, it’s shoring up all of your supporters and continuing to raise money,” Daugherty said.