Decided by Domino: Sherman County Race Heads to Runoff After Rare Tie

STRATFORD — The Sherman County Republican Party canvassed the results of the recent Republican Primary Election, confirming that the three-way race for County Commissioner Precinct 4 advanced to a runoff after no candidate received the majority vote required to win outright.

Under Texas law, candidates in party primaries must receive more than 50 percent of the vote plus one to avoid a runoff election. Because no candidate reached that threshold, the race required additional steps to determine which two candidates would advance.

Complicating the process, Rustin Russell and Tim Hudson tied for the second-highest number of votes, triggering an automatic recount as required under Section 2.023(c) of the Texas Election Code.

According to Sherman County GOP Chairman Susie Spurlock, the recount and tie-breaking procedure were conducted on Monday this week in the Sherman County Election Room.

“Earlier this afternoon, the procedure for resolving a tie for Sherman County Commissioner Precinct 4 between Rustin Russell and Tim Hudson was held,” Spurlock said in a statement.

Following the electronic recount, officials confirmed that both candidates received 41 votes, leaving the tie unresolved.

As required by state law, the tied candidates then proceeded to a casting of lots, a game-of-chance method used to determine which candidate would advance to the runoff.

In Sherman County, the tie was resolved through a domino draw, with the highest domino determining the winner. Russell drew a double five, while Tiffany Hudson, representing Tim Hudson, drew a double six, securing Hudson’s place on the runoff ballot.

As a result, the Republican Primary Runoff ballot for County Commissioner Precinct 4 will be:

The Primary Runoff Election is scheduled for May 26, 2026.

Primary runoff elections are used in Texas when no candidate receives a majority vote in the initial primary. The runoff determines the party’s nominee for the general election.

Local party officials said the recount and tie-breaking procedures followed state law to ensure fairness and transparency in close elections.