And the Winners Are …

Commentary by Gloria Way

  That sweeping sound you heard last Tuesday evening, March 3^rd, around 11pm, was the collective sigh of relief from Chambers County residents that the 2026 GOP Primary was finally over!

  In one of the dirtiest campaigns filled with innuendos and outright lies (and thousands of political mailers clogging residents’ mail boxes for weeks), a clear winner emerged in a surprisingly easy victory. I am referring to incumbent State Representative District 23 Terri Leo Wilson. Leo Wilson was challenged by businessman and former City of Mont Belvieu city manager Nathan Watkins. District 23 consists of all of Chambers County and most of Galveston County. Leo Wilson won 61% to 36% in unofficial returns.

  Watkins was expected to carry Chambers County due to his support on Chambers County’s west side. But the west side voters did not come out as expected and numerous observers felt that the negativity of his campaign and the fact that one of Watkins’ staunchest supporters, Dr. Gregg Poole (superintendent of BHISD), chose to sue Leo Wilson for a comment she made referring to the relationship of Watkins sitting on the Board of BHEF (Poole is executive director) and BHEF buying land for the Brickyard Apartments project from Americus Holdings (Watkins is a vice president for Americus). Leo Wilson basically questioned the legality of the transactions. Her statement was, “I think based on what I have discovered, between the ISD and BHEF and his (Watkins) directorship on the foundation that he is running to make legal what may be illegal”. Poole sued Leo Wilson for defamation and slander.

  Because of Poole’s action against Leo Wilson, there is now intense scrutiny of the BHEF and Watkins and Poole’s interactions as BHEF board members and Americus Holdings. The Texas Education Agency is now investigating BHEF for state violations including financial decision making, leadership roles and responsibilities, public funds management, disclosure and reporting obligations, use of contracted services, program administration and other activities subject to state restrictions. Poole is having to answer questions related to the $175 million dollar foundation only providing about 2% of its fund to teachers and students for innovative programs and studies. With this information on the BHEF being brought to light, many west side voters expressed concern about the $175 million fund and how it is possibly being used for personal enrichment and not being used on teachers and students as it is intended

  In layman’s terms, Poole, possibly aware of the damage he has caused the BHEF, Poole filed to have the lawsuit against Leo Wilson dismissed. But since Leo Wilson had asked for an immediate dismissal of the lawsuit first, there will be a full hearing for dismissal on April 7^th. Stay tuned.

  Leo Wilson will face Democrat Cheryl Clark in the November 7^th general election.

  In the vacated State Senate District 4 race, former Montgomery County District Attorney Brett Ligon defeated Charlie Miller 74% to 26% to be the GOP nominee in the November 7^th election. He will be facing Democrat Ron Angeletti. Ligon had the endorsement of former state senator Brandon Creighton and Governor Greg Abbott.

  Attorney Josh Fitzgerald, in a shock result, defeated long time 253^rd District Court Judge Chap Cain. Cain has served as Judge for over 28 years. Fitzgerald is the son of former Liberty County Judge Phil Fitzgerald. Cain carried the Chambers County vote, and the Liberty County vote carried Fitzgerald to the win.

  In a somewhat surprise win, former Pct 4 Commissioner Bill Wallace defeated former Pct. 4 Commissioner Rusty Senac in the open Pct. 4 Commissioner race. Interestingly, Senac defeated Wallace for the seat in 2006. Wallace has run in every election cycle since his defeat in 2006.

  The Justice of the Peace, Pct. 5 contest was interesting with the incumbent David Hatfield being challenged by two people, former Constable Brad Moon and businesswoman Cindy Wallace Davis. She is the daughter of former JP Pct.5 Bob Wallace. Hatfield won over 52% of the vote.

  Jimmy Smith won Justice of Peace, Pct. 6, handily defeating Jimmy Moss and Amanda Cordell. Smith becomes the first JP in 44 years since Judge Larry Cryer is retiring after 44 years of service.

  It was a Wallace family affair at the polls on Tuesday. Three family members of the immediate family were on the 2026 GOP Primary ballot. Bill Wallace, his niece Cindy Wallace Davis, and his son-in-law Jimmy Smith.

  Mayes Middleton is in the runoff for Attorney General against Chip Roy. Attorney General Ken Paxton and incumbent John Cornyn are in the runoff for US Senator. The runoff will be held on May 26^th.