That would be Charles Perry, the current incumbent in HD83.
Sen. Charles Perry
State Rep. Charles Perry on Tuesday night won the special election for Senate District 28, besting a crowded field to avoid a runoff for the seat in West Texas.
With all precincts reporting, the Lubbock Republican was leading former Texas Tech official Jodey Arrington with about 54 percent of the vote to Arrington’s 31 percent. Perry will finish the term of Robert Duncan, who stepped down in July to lead the Texas Tech college system.
“I am honored that the citizens of Senate District 28 have selected me to fill Chancellor Robert Duncan’s vacated senate seat,” Perry said in a statement. “From day one to Election Day, our work ethic never subsided and our grassroots army truly turned out the vote.”
Buoyed by name recognition and tea party credentials, Perry was an early favorite to represent the massive, solidly red district. Arrington emerged as Perry’s closest competitor, raising more money than the four other candidates and tapping a network built from his years working for George W. Bush, first as governor then as president.
“When we started this campaign, we had little name recognition, little organization and even less time,” Arrington said in a statement congratulating Perry. “Tonight we can hold our heads high knowing that we gave it our all.”
You can see the unofficial election night returns here. As has been the case in the State Senate lately, the more conservative candidate won. I had hoped for a better showing by Democratic candidate Greg Wortham, but I suppose it’s difficult to rally people to meet a benchmark. I do hope Wortham finds another opportunity to run for something soon. Congratulations to Sen. Perry on his victory. I hope he does a better job than I expect him to. The Observer has more.