Gray Wins Palo Pinto County Republican Party Chair Race by 11 Votes

March 16

10:17 2026

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Final results from the March 3 Republican Primary show Steve Gray defeating incumbent Barbara Upham in the race for Palo Pinto County Republican Party chair by just 11 votes.

According to the county’s official cumulative results report, Gray received 2,268 votes (50.12%), while Upham received 2,257 votes (49.88%).

The totals include early voting, absentee ballots and Election Day results reported across Palo Pinto County.

The narrow margin made the contest one of the closest races in this year’s county primary election.

Several other Republican primary races in Palo Pinto County were decided outright, while three contests will advance to runoff elections. Those races include County Commissioner Precinct 2, County Commissioner Precinct 4, and Justice of the Peace Precinct 3.

Under Texas election law, candidates must receive more than 50 percent of the vote to win a party primary outright. When no candidate reaches that threshold, the top two finishers advance to a runoff election.

The Republican primary runoff election is scheduled for May 26.