North Texas Daily

Matthew Reyna | Staff Writer
@bucko_rodgers

Lynn Stucky decisively defeated Read King in the run-off election for Republican representative for District 64 in the Texas State House. He will move on to challenge Democratic nominee Connor Flanagan in the general election in November.

“Never expect the same results in a run-off,” Stucky said, referencing a strong finish in the March primary. “Supposedly, about 75 percent of the time, the number two person in a three-way race wins the run-off.”

Stucky, a Sanger veterinarian, garnered 66 percent of the vote to King’s 34 percent. Stucky won a plurality of the vote on March 1 at 42 percent, but he did not earn a majority of the vote that was needed to avoid a run-off with King.

Courtesy | Lynn Stucky

King had experience running for this office prior to this election cycle. He previously fell short against Crownover in the 2014 Republican primary elections.

King said he did not consider his two attempts to win the District 64 seat a failure.

“I have seen several reasons for me stepping forward to run this time, not to mention last time,” King said. “Dominoes were set in motion when I filed to run.”

King gave a passionate concession speech to supporters at El Guapo’s, vowing to act as a watchdog at the Texas State Capitol.

“We need more people with flashlights at [the State Capitol],” King said. He concluded by calling for “eternal vigilance” in the fight for liberty in Texas, before being given a standing ovation from his supporters.

Stucky was endorsed by local Republican establishment figures, including former U.S. House Majority Leader Dick Armey. King used social media to boast endorsements from local Tea Party organizations and far-right state representatives, including Matt Krause and Tony Tinderholt.

But Stucky also had a couple of high profile Denton officials in his corner, including outgoing representative Myra Crownover and Denton County Commissioner Hugh Coleman.

“I think Dr. Stucky as a school board member really had the background to help us,” Coleman said. “Denton has three big state institutions: TWU, UNT and the state school. And we need somebody who will actively support these organizations.”

Stucky said he was grateful to have Coleman and Crownover’s endorsements.

“Without their support there’s no way I could have won this,” Stucky said. “I look forward to working with these people in the future.”

The November 8 election between Stucky and Flanagan, a 21-year-old UNT student, will determine who replaces the retiring Crownover, who has held the office since 2000. Flanagan surprised some pundits by winning the Democratic primary against Paul Greco on March 1.

With his sights turned toward November’s general election, Stucky was complimentary of his Democratic opponent.

“Have you ever spent time with Connor Flanagan? He’s a wonderful young man,” Stucky asked. “He’s got the guts most people wouldn’t have at 21 years of age to do what he’s doing.”

In the end, his goal is still to win the general election, with one primary objective.

“Number one: diplomacy,” Stucky said. “I’m going to find common ground with anybody and everybody.”

Feature Graphic: Lynn Stucky, District 64 State House representative candidate defeats Read King and moves on to face Democratic candidate Connor Flanagan in November. Tomas Gonzalez | Visuals Editor