A contentious race to be the chair of the Lubbock County Democratic Party has ended — narrowly avoiding a runoff election in May.
In March, 13,568 votes were cast in the party’s election, according to official results from the Lubbock County elections office.
The results showed:
With no candidate securing the needed 50%+1 of the vote, a runoff was going to ensue in late May between Gomez and Ceja.
However, on Monday, March 16, Ceja announced she was withdrawing from the runoff race. Ceja released the following statement:
I would like to express my sincere gratitude to everyone who supported my candidacy in the recent election for Lubbock County Democratic Party Chair. I am deeply appreciative of the encouragement, thoughtful conversations, and dedication shown by so many members of our community throughout this process.
Because no candidate received 50 percent of the vote, the election (May 26, 2026) would typically proceed to a runoff. After careful consideration and discussions with my family, I have decided that I will not participate in a runoff election to prioritize my family at this time.
This decision does not change my commitment to the Democratic Party or to the people of Lubbock County. I remain dedicated to supporting Democratic candidates and continuing the important work of organizing and advocating for our community.
I am grateful to everyone who believed in this campaign and participated in the democratic process. I look forward to continuing to work alongside fellow Democrats to build a stronger future for Lubbock County.
After this announcement, Gomez took to social media to release a statement:
Lubbock County Democratic Party Members: I am proud to serve as your new Chair of the Lubbock Democratic Party. I have been notified that the incumbent has officially withdrawn from the run-off election.
As much as I was looking forward to campaigning for the runoff, the withdrawal eliminates the use of our local taxpayer money to print ballots and to add this race to conduct an election. In addition, the time, resources and energy spent on a runoff campaign can now be focused on the upcoming mid-terms.
I will work hard to achieve the goals of our local Democratic Party which namely are to elect Democrats locally and statewide and to grow our local party. I will work hard to recruit membership numbers and get more local Dems involved in our party.
We have a very important mid-term election coming up in November that will determine so much for our local, state and national government. It is so crucial that we all work together so that our voices and votes are not further limited.
I am so grateful to all who supported my campaign and who voted for me! YOU, the members, are the heart and body of our Party and this party cannot function without YOU and your active participation. I look forward to serving the Party and each and every Democratic voter in Lubbock County.
Mateo Rosiles is a reporter for the Lubbock Avalanche-Journal and USA TODAY Network in Texas. Got a news tip for him? Email him: mrosiles@usatodayco.com.
This article originally appeared on Lubbock Avalanche-Journal: Lubbock Democratic party Chair Ceja concedes runoff race to Gomez
Reporting by Mateo Rosiles, Lubbock Avalanche-Journal / Lubbock Avalanche-Journal
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