May 25, 2016 4:54 PM

Empower Texans candidates falter in North Texas

Veterinarian Lynn Stucky defeats Read King while Justin Holland ahead by 99 votes at this point

FORT WORTH – If third time’s a charm, Empower Texans’ coalition may have lucked out – to an extent – in Tuesday’s run-offs across the state.

But in North Texas?

Not so much.

Incumbent Reps. Wayne Smith of Baytown and Doug Miller of New Braunfels fell to challengers Briscoe Cain of Deer Park and Kyle Biedermann of Fredericksburg.

Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick likely strengthened his hand by actively working to help Rep. Bryan Hughes defeat Rep. David Simpson. Meantime, Dr. Dawn Buckingham claimed clear victory over Rep. Susan King of Abilene.

Two open Texas House races in deeply conservative areas of the region had markedly different outcomes.

By James Russell