(KXAN) — Voters in several parts of Texas face crucial decisions with the primary runoff elections Tuesday.
There are no statewide races in this runoff but the decisions by voters in a few Texas House districts could have an impact across the state.
The runoff drawing the most attention involves House Speaker Dade Phelan and challenger David Covey in District 21, which is in southeast Texas near the Louisiana state line.
Despite a conservative record, Phelan found himself under attack from within his own party over the last year, after the House voted to impeach Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton.
Covey pushed Phelan into a runoff after the March primary elections and is part of a push from other conservatives who aim to reshape the Texas House. It’s a shift that mirrors what is happening in the GOP nationally, as the business-minded establishment faces increasing challenges from more “Trumpian” style Republicans, motivated more by conservative social issues.
As Speaker, Phelan appointed a few Democrats to chair House committees, which drew condemnation from some fellow Republicans. Covey has backing from Paxton, Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick, and former President Donald Trump.
“I think this has been an interesting pattern sort of over the past year or so maybe even longer in Texas, as the Texas Republican Party tries to figure out sort of what brand of conservatism it wants to espouse,” Southwestern University politics professor Emily Sydnor previously told KXAN.
The outcome of this runoff will have major implications for the balance of power at the State Capitol.
The campaign in District 21 has become the most expensive state House race in Texas history.
According to advertising analytics group Ad Impact, nearly $7 million has been spent on political ads in this race including the primary and the runoff.
May 21 filings from the Texas Ethics Commission showed Phelan has raised $3.44 million since Feb. 25. He has also spent $4 million trying to hold on to his seat and has $1.56 million cash on hand.
In the same period, Covey raised $1.68 million, spent $1.58 million, and has $226,000 left in his war chest.