Republican voters at Tuesday’s primary election narrowed the field of those vying to represent District 55 in the Texas House from four candidates to two. Martha Tyroch and Ralph Sheffield will face each other in an April runoff to decide who will face Democrat Sam Murphey (who ran unopposed) in the November general election.

Unofficial results from Bell County reported Tyroch had 5,136 votes or 36.14 percent and Sheffield had 4,420 votes or 31.10 percent. Mike Pearce came in third with 2,899 votes or 20.40 percent followed by John Alaniz with 1,758 votes or 12.37 percent.

After a long evening, which saw precincts reporting late due to a record-setting turnout and ballot shortages, former Temple City Council member Tyroch said she was ready for a runoff with Sheffield and wanted to address criticism about her stand on the Trans-Texas Corridor.

“I have always been opposed to the Trans-Texas Corridor. I sat on a fact-finding committee … and I have always opposed it, period,” Tyroch said. “I come to this race with lots of experience maneuvering the issues on the city, state and federal level and I think that speaks loudly.”

Sheffield, too, was not surprised he was going to be a part of the runoff and has already made plans for the final weeks of the campaign.

“We do have a game plan because we anticipated this. That being said, I still have three more weeks of hard work. I’ve run a grassroots campaign and knocked on 3,000 doors,” Sheffield said.

Sheffield and Pearce stood shoulder-to-shoulder after it became apparent Sheffield would be the second candidate in the runoff. Pearce threw his support behind Sheffield, saying they both share similar values and goals.

“Both of us think alike, we both are conservative Republicans,” Sheffield said. “When you put Michael’s numbers and my numbers together you’re going to see in the runoff that financially I ought to (be the favorite). I have a great Team Sheffield out there that’s been a great asset and I think my volunteer base just grew.”

Pearce sounded upbeat despite coming in third.

“I’m a little disappointed, but I’m not disillusioned at all,” Pearce said. “I wouldn’t trade this experience for the world. I think Ralph is our best bet in Austin. He is a smart and articulate individual and I think he will serve us well.”

John Alaniz trailed behind the two front runners as the voting winded down, but he said despite it all he felt like a winner.

“I actually feel like I’m walking in victory because I ran the campaign I wanted to run,” Alaniz said. “I didn’t bow down to intense power and money, I have no strings attached to me, I didn’t attack anybody, and I stuck to my message and convictions and I am full of joy about that.”

When asked if he would throw his support behind one of the other candidates, he said, “I am in prayer about who I am going to endorse.”

A Republican runoff is necessary because a simple majority decides the District 55 race. If neither candidate receives 50 percent, a runoff election is held between the two candidates with the highest vote total.

This was the first time in 18 years that voters had a choice of candidates in the Republican primary. Dianne White Delisi held the District 55 seat for nine terms.