LUBBOCK, Texas -
Plainview native Jodey Arrington defeated former Lubbock Mayor Glen Robertson in the race for Texas U.S. Congressional District 19 seat to replace outgoing Republican Randy Neugebauer.
The unofficial final Lubbock County numbers have Robertson trailing Arrington 54 to 46 percent.
Arrington, a former aide to President George W. Bush, credits his positive campaign in defeating Robertson, who ran a series of negative ads claiming Arrington was a "Washington insider."
"I got an opportunity as a kid from Plainview who went to Texas Tech, who was inspired by a public school teacher when I was a junior at Plainview High School to get involved in public service," Arrington said. "I had an opportunity to serve a governor and with the president and I took that opportunity and after my service, I made the decision to come back to West Texas to raise my family. So, that was an honor and a privilege. I don't see anything 'Washington insider' about it, but you know that's past, that's behind us."
Neugebauer, the vice chairman of the House Agriculture Committee will retire after representing District 19 for seven terms.
Libertarian Troy Bonar will be on the ballot to challenge Arrington in November. There is no Democratic challenger.
Robertson said he was 'completely at peace' with the voter's decision and urged his supporters in the district to get behind Arrington.
"I have zero regrets," he said. "It was a great eight months, it was a good campaign and Jodey's a good man. Our district's in good shape."
