In a surprising turn of events during the Texas primary elections, former Dallas salon owner Shelley Luther emerged victorious in the Republican primary for Texas House District 62. Luther, known for her defiance of COVID-19 shutdown orders in 2020, secured 53.42% of the votes, leading incumbent State Rep. Reggie Smith by over 2,000 votes.
Luther’s journey into politics has been marked by resilience, having previously lost to Smith in the same district in 2022 and experiencing a defeat in the Texas Senate District 30 race in 2020. Her recent triumph comes less than a year after overcoming a life-threatening brain aneurysm in April 2023, which she attributed to divine intervention on her Facebook page.
The former salon owner gained national attention in 2020 when she reopened her business against county and state orders to shut down non-essential businesses during the early stages of the COVID-19 pandemic. Luther tore up a citation issued to her during a rally advocating for the reopening of businesses, leading to a contempt of court charge and a seven-day jail sentence, which was later cut short after intervention from the Texas Supreme Court.
Despite facing legal challenges and health setbacks, Luther remained undeterred and ventured into politics. Her primary victory indicates strong support for her unconventional approach and could signal a shift in the political landscape, especially considering her history of challenging established norms.
Meanwhile, other notable election results unfolded across Texas during Super Tuesday. Former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley announced the end of her bid for the GOP’s presidential nomination, while Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton sought revenge against incumbent Republicans who voted for his impeachment. Incumbent Rep. Pete Sessions secured the GOP primary for U.S. House District 17, and the Democratic primary for U.S. Senate saw U.S. Rep. Colin Allred emerging as the frontrunner.
In addition to the individual races, the broader political dynamics were in play as Governor Greg Abbott aimed for private school vouchers, and both Paxton and Abbott sought to reshape the state’s political landscape. The outcome of these primaries sets the stage for the May runoff elections, should no candidate secure a majority in their respective races.
As the Texas election results continue to unfold, the implications for the state’s political future remain uncertain. Shelley Luther’s victory adds a distinctive voice to the political arena, reflecting the evolving preferences of voters in the Lone Star State.