Central Texas Senate Races: Republicans Hold Districts 5 and 24, Zaffirini Wins Re-Election in 21

Incumbent Charles Schwertner, R-Georgetown, retained his seat in Texas State Senate District 5 on November 3. Schwertner defeated challenger Paul Thomasson, D-College Station, with 53.3% of the vote against Thomasson's 46.7%. In District 24, incumbent Pete Flores, R-Austin, also won re-election. Flores captured 56.6% of the ballots, beating Joe Paz Herrera, D-Natalia, who received the remaining share.

In the District 21 race, incumbent Judith Zaffirini, D-Laredo, secured her position with a commanding margin. Zaffirini received 69.1% of the vote, defeating Julie Dahlberg, R-Sutherland Springs. All three results are currently unofficial and will remain so until the official canvass is complete.

Schwertner first took office in January 2013 after winning the election in November 2012. He previously represented the Texas House of Representatives District 20. His opponent, Thomasson, served as a United Methodist pastor before entering the race. Thomasson began his full-time ministry in 1984 at Oakwood United Methodist Church in North Houston and served that community for more than 40 years.

Zaffirini made history in 1986 as the first Mexican American woman elected to the Texas Senate. She assumed the office in 1987. Her background includes 13 years of teaching experience at the college and university levels. Dahlberg, a U.S. Army veteran, has worked with nonprofits supporting military families and individuals experiencing homelessness. She and her husband, Shane, own and operate MYCO Glass & Mirror.

Flores, who spent 27 years as a Texas Game Warden, was first elected in a 2018 special election to represent District 19. He won re-election in 2022 to represent District 24. His opponent, Herrera, worked in the food and packaged goods industry for over 20 years. Herrera previously served as the Democratic nominee for Texas House District 53 in the 2020, 2022, and 2024 cycles.

The District 5 seat covers much of Williamson County and extends into San Jacinto, Limestone, Freestone, and Brazos counties. The district includes 324 voting precincts for this general election, with 123 located in Williamson County. District 21 spans parts of Bexar, Guadalupe, Hays, and Travis counties. It contains 291 precincts, including 79 in Webb County, 53 in Hays County, and 9 in Travis County.

District 24 includes the Lake Travis area, Northwest Austin, Cedar Park, and Round Rock. This district comprises 276 precincts, with 73 in Bell County and 56 in Williamson County. The Texas Secretary of State's website tracks precinct reporting, and the final tallies reflect the total votes cast in these specific geographic areas.