Harris County Attorney Vince Ryan lost his re-election bid to Christian Menefee, a younger attorney who branded himself as a progressive advocate, according to unofficial results released Wednesday morning.

Ryan’s large deficit was a departure from other down-ballot Harris County races. Most incumbent local Democrats were comfortably leading their spirited and often more progressive challengers.

Menefee, a 31-year-old litigator with Kirkland & Ellis, said that people responded to his message of having a champion in the county attorney’s office.

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“I think people were attracted to having an advocate in that office, as opposed to someone who is pushing impartiality all the time,” Menefee told the Chronicle.

Ryan, who declined comment, has fielded criticism in some quarters for his stance on bail reform in the county. He has said he disagrees with a federal judge’s ruling that Harris County’s bail system was unconstitutional because it fundamentally was unfair to poor defendants.

Menefee criticized Ryan for his defense of the system during the case and for his comments on the resulting ruling. The challenger also fielded endorsements from influential groups, including the Texas Organizing Project and the Houston GLBT Caucus.

The winner will face John Nation, the lone GOP candidate, in the November general election.

Pct. 3 Commissioner

Spring Valley Mayor Tom Ramsey won the Republican nomination to replace Steve Radack on Harris County Commissioners Court.

Radack, also a Republican, did not seek re-election in the Precinct 3 seat after holding it for more than 30 years. He endorsed Ramsey in the contest.

“I had no idea it would be that good,” Ramsey said of the vote tallies. He attributed the success to his back-to-the-basics messaging.

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Former Houston city council member Brenda Stardig and former West University Place Mayor Susan Sample trailed far behind him.

Three Democrats vying for the seat, which the party hopes to flip in November, were all bunched together in the returns.

Michael Moore, who was chief of staff to former Houston Mayor Bill White, was leading, though educator Diana Martinez Alexander and former state Rep. Kristi Thibaut were close behind.

That means a runoff is likely for the Democrats, and it was not yet clear who would advance to that contest.

Pct. 1 Commissioner

Rodney Ellis cruised to re-election to the Precinct 1 seat on commissioners court.

Maria T. Jackson, a former state district judge, resigned from the bench to mount a campaign against Ellis.

Ellis declared victory after the early returns.

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“In the last year on Commissioners Court, we’ve pushed for progressive policies that are inclusive of all of Harris County and I am excited to continue the fight alongside my colleagues,” Ellis said.

No Republican signed up to run, so Ellis will be unopposed in November.

Tax Assessor-Collector

Ann Harris Bennett fended off a pair of Democrats as the county’s tax assessor-collector, which is responsible for levying and collecting property taxes.

Her closest challenger was Jolanda Jones, a former Houston councilwoman and HISD trustee.

She will now face Chris Daniel, the former Harris County district clerk and the only Republican candidate, in November.

Sheriff

Sheriff Ed Gonzalez easily secured the Democratic nomination over two challengers in his reelection bid.

Three candidates — Paul Day, Randy Rush and Joe Danna — ran on the Republican side. Danna, who worked for nearly 20 years in the Precinct 1 constable’s office, was leading the pack, just above the threshold needed to win outright.

Other races

Incumbents were in trouble in some places further down the ballot. Harris County Precinct 2 Constable Chris Diaz was trailing opponent Jerry Garcia, though the partial results showed a runoff was likely.

Precinct 5 Justice of the Peace Russ Ridgway was trailing Mike Wolfe, a former Harris County Department of Education trustee. That race appeared headed for a runoff as well.

dylan.mcguinness@chron.com