SAN ANTONIO — State Rep. Steve Allison was defeated Tuesday night in the Republican primary for Texas House District 121, with supporters throwing their weight behind a challenger who was endorsed by Gov. Greg Abbott.
Marc LaHood won the early vote substantially in Bexar County, accruing 55% of those ballots compared to 38% for Allison. He ultimately carried 54% of the overall votes, compared to 39% for Allison and 7% for Michael Champion, running a distant third.
Allison has held the Texas House District 121 seat since 2019, but his decision to defy Abbott – who endorsed him the previous two elections – on the issue of school vouchers last year may have spoiled his re-election bid.
Allison was one of 21 Texas House Republicans who voted against school vouchers, stalling the governor's legislative priority in multiple special sessions last year.
Abbott instead declared his support this year for LaHood, who has said that he's "100% in support of school choice." LaHood, a San Antonio native and criminal lawyer, previously mounted an unsuccessful bid for Bexar County district attorney in 2022.
Speaking with KENS 5 on Tuesday night, LaHood said many people told him not to enter the race because he's too conservative and Allison was too entrenched in the district. But, he added that after praying it over with his wife, he decided to campaign.
His prayers appear to have been answered.
"From the very first day, people were receptive to it because our messaging isn't political," he said Tuesday night. "It's common sense: Secure the border just like we would our front doors; voters integrity; and make sure we focus on education of our children, which is tied to school choice and fighting DEI in our schools."
Allison, meanwhile, said after the initial results that he wasn't too concerned about the gap. But he did say he was disappointed with Abbott's support of his opponent, and with his constituents for falling for what he called negative ad campaigns.
"I don't think they looked at qualifications and background. They were sold by the attack ads, and that's unfortunate," he said.
Laurel Jordan Swift earned 73% of the votes in the Democratic primary for District 121, easily defeating Shekhar Sinha, who garnered 27% of the votes.
About the race
Texas House District 121 encompasses a portion of northern Bexar County, from Alamo Heights to just outside Bulverde. It's home to about 193,000 residents.
Allison is a graduate of TCU and the University of Houston Law Center, having worked in law with a focus on business and health care litigation. LaHood is an experienced criminal lawyer who says he supports parental rights in the education space and has vowed to crack down on election "interference." Champion served for 39 years in the military and says he's an advocate of "school choice" and lowering property taxes.
Swift is a San Antonio native with a background in biology and medical sales who says she's committed to public education and mental health reform. Sinha, an India emigrant and longtime worker in the IT field, says he supports protecting reproductive rights for women, fighting climate change and "protecting children from firearm injuries."
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