Fort Bend County Poised to Elect Suleman Lalani as State Representative
RICHMOND: Democratic physician Suleman Lalani on Tuesday defeated runoff opponent Vanesia Johnson in a newly drawn state House district in Fort Bend County, leaving him poised to become the first Muslim state lawmaker in Texas history.
The new district, freshly crafted during last year’s redistricting process, covers parts of Sugar Land, Mission Bend and unincorporated Fort Bend County. Nearly half the residents were added from another House district where Lalani was the Democratic nominee last cycle, giving him a built-in edge over his primary foes.
Lalani, if elected, would be the first Muslim to serve in the Texas Legislature, according to Rice University political science professor Mark Jones. The seat, House District 76, leans heavily Democratic, making the nominee highly
favored to win the general election in November. (Democrat Salman Bhojani, a Muslim and former city councilman in the North Texas suburban city of Euless, is also favored to win a Tarrant County state House seat in November).
Lalani won the Democratic nomination with 63% of the vote with 37% of the votes going to Vanesia Johnson.
In the race for Harris County Civil Court No 4 race, M.K. Monica Singh (D) won the nomination with 64% of the votes to 36% for Treasea Trevino.
Meanwhile, Sonia Rash will be the Democratic candidate for Fort Bend County Justice of the Peace with 59% of the votes cast to 41% for Husein Hadi. A tight race is underway for Fort Bend County Treasurer with both Qaiser Q. Imam and Albert Tibbs at 50% each.
Neeta Sane lost the race for Fort Bend County Precinct 4 Commissioner (Democratic) to Dexter McCoy. Sane received 39% of thevotes to 61% for McCoy.
These races will be decided in the Midterm elections to be held on November 8, 2022