Republican candidate Chris Spencer is currently ahead in the early voting count for Texas House District 1, according to the Texarkana Gazette. Spencer, a Cass County businessman, has secured a little more than 65% of the early votes cast, tallying 11,926 votes compared with Democratic challenger Sean Huffman’s 6,299.

The unofficial results from Bowie County show Spencer leading with 11,926 votes to Huffman’s 6,299. In Cass County, where Spencer also resides, he received 5,994 votes while Huffman earned 1,715, reinforcing Spencer’s advantage in the early count.

District 1 spans five Northeast Texas counties—Bowie, Cass, Morris, Red River and Lamar. The seat has been vacant since the resignation of former Representative Gary VanDeaver in September, leaving the district without representation for several months. The early voting period concluded on Friday, and the final election will be decided on Election Day, when polls close at 7 p.m.

Local voters in Texarkana and the surrounding counties are watching the race closely, as the outcome will determine who will represent the region in the state legislature. The district includes a mix of urban and rural communities, and the elected representative will influence legislation affecting everything from education funding to infrastructure projects that impact daily life in the area.

Both campaigns have been active in the region, with Spencer emphasizing his business background and local ties, while Huffman has highlighted his policy priorities for the district. The early vote totals suggest a strong showing for Spencer, but the final result will depend on turnout on Election Day.

What’s next: Residents can cast their ballots on Election Day, with polls slated to close at 7 p.m. Voters are encouraged to verify their polling locations and bring appropriate identification as required by state law.

Sources: texarkanagazette.com