By Madelyn Edwards
(ARLINGTON, Texas) Jake Ellzey is the new congressional representative for District 6, which includes southeast Tarrant County, Navarro County and Ellis County, as he defeated his opponent, Susan Wright, in Tuesday’s runoff election, The Dallas Morning News reports.
Ellzey is a state representative who was backed by former Texas Gov. Rick Perry. The special election for Texas' 6th Congressional District was to fill the spot left open after Rep. Ron Wright, Susan’s husband, died earlier this year. Ron Wright was previously diagnosed with lung cancer and then contracted COVID-19.
Susan Wright was the frontrunner in the first round of the election on May 1 while Ellzey finished second. The race included 23 candidates—11 Republicans, 10 Democrats, one Libertarian and an independent.
Both runoff candidates are Republican, but Ellzey’s win presents a sort of upset since Wright was endorsed by former President Donald Trump, who is still considered a leader for conservatives.
“He would have been better off staying neutral,” said former U.S. Rep. Joe Barton, an Ellzey supporter who used to represent District 6. “Jake is not anti-Trump. He’s a strong conservative.”
The Texas Republican Party also endorsed Wright.
Ellzey commended Wright’s endorsements but said that, ultimately, the race was about the candidates, not those backing them.
“She had great endorsements. I had great endorsements that I’m very proud of, but at the end of the day the candidates had to get out and run their own campaigns, because that’s the guy or lady who will represent District 6 on the floor of the House of Representatives,” Ellzey said. “The people of District 6 are great people and I will represent them with quiet professionalism.”