Voters appeared – for the most part – to be sticking with the status quo in North Texas legislative primaries.

NAN COULTER/Special Contributor

State Rep. Jerry Madden (right) checked voting results with supporters (from left) Colby Tiner, Mike Bronsky, Josh Fischer and Scott Gilmore at an election night party in Plano.

In just one race did an incumbent lose, with former Mesquite Mayor Mike Anderson defeating state Rep. Thomas Latham in their eastern Dallas County district.

And in two state House elections in which staunch supporters of House Speaker Tom Craddick, R-Midland, faced challenges, the incumbents secured their party's nomination.

Phil King, a lawyer from Weatherford and a top Craddick lieutenant, fended off a challenge by four-term Weatherford Mayor Joe Tison. The district covers Parker and Wise counties.

"One of the biggest lessons is, negative campaigning doesn't move voters and needs to become a thing of the past," said Mr. King, who had faced questions about his ties to business interests.

He said Mr. Craddick's tenure as speaker – a divisive issue during the last legislative session – had little bearing on his race.

"I don't have any doubt that Tom Craddick will be the next speaker," Mr. King said.

Mr. King will face Democrat Charles William Randolph and Libertarian Richard W. Forsythe Jr. in November.

In House District 4, in Kaufman and Henderson counties, Republican incumbent Betty Brown held off Wade Gent.

"If the speaker is there again, I will definitely support him," she said. "We work together well, and we see eye to eye on the issues."

Ms. Brown will face Democrat Victor Morales and Libertarian James C. Yow in November.

There were just two contested Democratic primaries in North Texas. Longtime incumbent Roberto Alonzo, 51, defeated 56-year-old Dallas tax accountant Harry Trujillo in District 104. And in District 105, Irving lawyer Jim Rea, 37, was slightly behind former Irving City Council member Bob Romano. The winner will face incumbent Republican Linda Harper-Brown in November.

Mesquite, Sunnyvale, Balch Springs

Mr. Anderson said his experience and ideas helped him prevail over Mr. Latham, a one-term incumbent, in the Republican race.

"It really came down to leadership, proven leadership experience and which one of the candidates is the best to represent District 101," he said.

Mr. Anderson said he hadn't decided whether to support Mr. Craddick.

"The speaker's race is something that will come up in January, but it's not an issue for me today," he said.

He will square off in November against Democrat Robert Miklos, a former Dallas municipal court chief prosecutor.

Garland, Richardson

The race to succeed retiring state Rep. Fred Hill will head to an April 8 runoff between Angie Chen Button, a Texas Instruments executive from Garland, and Randy Dunning, a former Garland City Council member.

Ms. Button, who has served on numerous community and regional boards and commissions, including the Dallas Area Rapid Transit board, was backed by state Sen. Florence Shapiro of Plano.

Mr. Dunning, who touted his years of Republican Party work at the precinct and state levels, was supported by state Rep. Jodie Laubenberg and several party leaders.

Jim Shepherd, a former Richardson City Council and school board member backed by Mr. Hill, finished third.

The runoff winner will face Democrat Sandra VuLe and Libertarian Philip M. White in November.

A rare Republican primary challenge to state Rep. Jerry Madden – only his second as an incumbent – proved a tough one. First, challenger Jon Cole, 23, accused Mr. Madden, 65, of misusing campaign money and weakening criminal justice. Then Mr. Madden questioned Mr. Cole's résumé and the tone of his campaign. But Mr. Madden won a close race in District 67, in southern Collin County. He is expected to face Libertarian Jeffrey Joyner in November.

Fort Worth, Benbrook

For the third time in four months, Tarrant County voters cast ballots for candidates seeking the District 97 seat in Fort Worth and Benbrook. And Dr. Mark M. Shelton, who won the Republican primary, was on the ballot each time.

He faced three opponents, including two – Bob Leonard and James Dean Schull – who also ran for the seat in a November special election. Clint L. Roberts was the only Republican candidate who hadn't already taken a run at the seat vacated by Anna Mowery.

Dr. Shelton will face Democrat Dan Barrett, who defeated him in a runoff, and Libertarian Rodney Wingo in November.

Northwest Tarrant County

Charlie Geren, seen as a Craddick foe, survived a second challenge by a group of conservative Republicans who want to replace him.

He was opposed by Fort Worth optometrist Tom Annunziato, who said the district wanted conservative leadership. But Mr. Geren said he had broad support locally and statewide. He accused his opponent of spreading misinformation about his voting record in a quest to prove that Mr. Geren had failed a conservative litmus test. Mr. Geren will face Democrat Sheila Ford, a lawyer, and Libertarian Robin Chester in November.

Two-term incumbent state Sen. Craig Estes, R-Wichita Falls, defeated Denton School board president Charles Stafford. The sprawling district includes 18 counties, including parts of Collin and Denton counties.

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