SAN ANGELO, Texas — Wednesday morning, Stormy Bradley's campaign team released a statement thanking her team, supporters and prominent Republicans who endorsed her run for Texas House Dist. 72 state rep.
The Associated Press projected incumbent State Rep. Drew Darby as the winner of the primary race with all precincts reporting. Darby received 14,008 votes to Bradley's 10,592.
Texas Gov. Greg Abbott - who visited San Angelo twice in February - was one of several GOP leaders who endorsed Bradley, including U.S. Senator Ted Cruz and former President Donald Trump. Abbott and Trump highlighted Bradley's support for private school vouchers as a key reason for endorsing her.
During Abbott's visits, Darby's supporters stood outside each venue with signs that read "Teachers for Drew Darby." With support from retired educators on his team and other anti-voucher voters, Darby won every county except Howard, where Bradley resides.
During Bradley's Election Night watch party, her team and supporters expressed confidence in a win through the late hours of the night. Bradley said she expected early voting to favor Darby before day of numbers came in.
Tyler Bradley - the challenger's husband - said the team "left it all on the field." On Election Night, he said he didn't believe there was anything the campaign team or family could have done differently. Win or lose, he said, he was proud of Stormy.
Bradley said she planned to pursue politics full-time in an interview with FOX West Texas Feb. 28. She ran for Texas State Senate in 2022, losing to current Sen. Kevin Sparks.