FORT BEND COUNTY, TX — The two leading candidates in the closely watched State House race for District 28 in Fort Bend County appear to be headed to a runoff election.

The special election to fill the seat was called after the resignation of Rep. John Zerwas which went into effect at the end of September. Zerwas, a Republican, vacated the seat to take a position with University of Texas system. Final unofficial results from Fort Bend County showed Democrat Elizabeth "Eliz" Markowitz leading with 39.06 percent of the vote while Republican Gary Gates finished second with 28.45 percent of the vote. Without a clear majority for either candidate, the race will now be decided in a runoff.

Texas Demorats congratulated Markowitz on her first-place finish. "Texans, the work here is just beginning," the Texas Democratic Party said in a tweet. "To ensure Dr. Markowitz gets over the top, we need all hands on deck, starting now. Celebrate tonight, back to work tomorrow."



Presidential Julián Castro, the former Mayor of San Antonio and Housing and Urban Development Secretary under President Obama, said in a tweet that turning Texas blue in 2020 starts with the State House 28 seat. A total of seven candidates — six Republicans and one Democrat — were on the ballot Tuesday vying to serve out the rest of Zerwas' term.

According to The Texas Tribune, the race is the most closely watched State House race on 2019's ballot with both Texas Democrats and national Democrats intent on flipping the seat as Democrats within the state aim on capturing the State House in next year's election.

The candidates on Tuesday's ballot for the State House District 28 were: Republicans: