Dallas voters supporting Lupe Valdez as gubernatorial primary runoff voting begins

The biggest primary runoff in Texas is the race for the Democratic gubernatorial nominee.

Early voting began Monday in the contest between former Dallas County Sheriff Lupe Valdez and Andrew White, the son of former Texas Gov. Mark White.

The two debated Friday night and now voters will decide who they want to face incumbent Republican Gov. Greg Abbott.

“We need something different and we need a woman. We need some females to take charge,” said Valdez supporter Saundra Thornton outside a Dallas early voting location on Monday.

Valdez is trying to maintain her lead over Houston businessman White. Valdez remains popular in her hometown despite an uneven primary campaign.

“She was a good sheriff and I think she's running for the right cause. Our current governor he's doing nothing for us,” said Valdez supporter Anderson Britton.

But regardless of who wins the primary, the fact remains that a Democratic candidate has not won statewide office in Texas since 1994.

“Gov. Abbott is one of the more popular governors in the country. He has a campaign war chest of well over $40 million. Texas is still very much a state that leans in the Republican direction,” said Matthew Wilson, SMU Political Science Professor. “You put that together and he's a pretty formidable opponent.”

Wilson says White would have slightly better odds against Abbott.

“He seems to have a better command of the details of policy issues,” Wilson said.

But he ultimately believes Valdez will win the nomination.

“Texas Dems today are largely minority and to the left, so that makes it extremely hard for a political moderate like White to compete,” Wilson said.

Dallas-area Democratic voters know whoever wins will have a tough task in the fall.

“Anyone is going to have a difficult time going up against Greg Abbott, but I think she has a chance and I don't think she'll have any trouble answering tough questions,” said Valdez supporter Ann Leather.

Valdez will be back in Dallas on Thursday to cast her vote at Our Redeemer Lutheran Church, the same place she voted for herself in the primary.

Early voting runs through Friday and the primary runoff election day is next Tuesday.