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Early voting has begun for the Texas House District 21 Republican Primary Runoff between incumbent Dade Phelan and challenger David Covey.

Early voting ends Friday.

Election Day is May 28.

This month’s runoff was necessary after neither Covey or Phelan captured 50 percent plus 1 of the turnout in the March 5 primary.

According to the Texas Secretary of State election results, Phelan secured 14,547 votes for 43.24 percent of the turnout, and Covey came in with 15,579 votes or 46.31 percent of the ballots cast.

A third candidate, Alicia Davis, garnered 3,517 votes for 10.45 percent of the ballots cast.

To participate in the primary runoff, registered voters must live in District 21, which includes most of Jefferson and all of Orange and Jasper counties.

All Republicans are eligible to vote in the runoff.

All other voters who did not declare themselves as Democrat in the Primary are eligible to vote in the runoff.

According to the Orange County Elections Department, following the first day of early voting in Orange County, there were 1513 in-person early ballots cast and 339 Absentee Mail Ballots cast for a total of 1853 ballots cast.

Phelan, of Beaumont, was first elected to the seat in 2014. He has served as Speaker of the House of Representatives since 2021.

He lists his occupation as real estate developer.

Covey, former Orange County Republican Chairman, lists his occupation as technical advisor, per the Texas Secretary of State’s website.

The winner of May 28’s Republican Primary Runoff becomes the official party candidate for the Nov. 5 election

Early voting is available from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. through Friday.

Early voting locations are listed, and voters can use any location they want.

• Orange Public Library (Main early voting location) 220 N. 5th St., Orange
• Mauriceville Community Center, 7441 Cohenour Road, Orange
• Orange County Airport, 2640 Hwy. 87, Orange
• Raymond Gould Community Center, 385 Claiborne St., Vidor

Election Day locations are listed, and voters can use any location they want.

• Orange Public Library 220 N 5th St., Orange
• LCMCISD Administration Bldg., 6586 FM 1130, Orange
• St. Francis Catholic, 4300 Meeks Drive, Orange
• Sabine River Authority, 12777 Hwy. 87 N, Orange
• Salvation Army 1950 MLK Drive, Orange
• Orange County Expo Center, 11475 FM 1442, Orange
• Orange County Drainage District, 8081 Old Hwy, 90, Orange
• Mauriceville Community Center, 7441 Cohenour Road, Orange
• Orange County Airport, 2640 Hwy, 87, Orange
• Bridge City Knights of Columbus Hall, 495 W, Roundbunch Road, Bridge City
• Orangefield Cormier Museum, 9908 FM 105, Orange
• St. Paul Methodist, 1155 W. Roundbunch Road, Bridge City
• Raymond Gould Community Center, 385 Claiborne Street, Vidor
• Vidor ISD Administration Bldg., 1255 N. Main St., Vidor
• Pecan Acres Baptist, 14795 Duncan Woods Lane, Vidor
• Pine Forest Baptist, 4800 N. Main Street, Vidor