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SD 14 Update – Eckhardt Wins after Rep. Rodriguez Foregoes Runoff:
Former Travis County Judge Sarah Eckhardt will succeed former state Sen. Kirk Watson (D-Austin) in the Texas Senate after state Rep. Eddie Rodriguez said Monday he is dropping out of the race. Eckhardt and Rodriguez, both Democrats, were poised to face off in a special election runoff for the seat after the two finished first and second, respectively, in the six-way race on July 14. Pressure had been building over the past several days for Rodriguez to end his bid for the Senate and instead focus his efforts in the House, where he has served since 2003. Eckhardt finished first in the six-way race for Senate District 14 on July 14 with 49.7% of the vote — just shy of winning outright. Rodriguez, meanwhile, received nearly 34% of the vote for the historically Democratic seat that covers Bastrop County and parts of Travis County. In an email to supporters, Rodriguez emphasized the Democrats’ improving chances at flipping the lower chamber in November ahead of a “critical and historic [legislative] session” and said he looked forward to helping as a House member.