Zaffirini Leads Dahlberg in Early Voting

Incumbent Judith Zaffirini holds a commanding early-vote lead over challenger Julie Dahlberg in Texas Senate District 21 in Webb County.

Updated on Nov. 4, 2026 in Elections

Bold flat-color editorial illustration of a domed state capitol silhouette over a horizon in deep red and cream, evoking Texas state politics. — Texas Senate Incumbent Judith Zaffirini holds a commanding early-vote lead over challenger Julie Dahlberg in Webb County's District 21 tally. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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Judith Zaffirini leads Julie Dahlberg following early voting in Webb County for Texas Senate District 21. Zaffirini received 76.28% of the county's early vote, compared with 23.72% for Dahlberg.

Why it matters

The early-vote margin offers an early indication of the race in a district Zaffirini has held since 1987. Her bid for an 11th term puts her long tenure at the center of the contest.

Webb County early voting recorded 33,757 votes for Zaffirini and 10,498 for Dahlberg. Campaign finance reports through Oct. 24 show Zaffirini with $1,298,261.06 in receipts and $1,340,359.16 in disbursements, compared with Dahlberg's $10,938 in receipts and $11,851.88 in disbursements.

The players

Judith Zaffirini

Judith Zaffirini is a longtime Texas state senator who has represented Senate District 21 since 1987 and became the first female Dean of the Texas Senate in 2023.

Julie Dahlberg

Julie Dahlberg is a U.S. Army veteran and co-owner of the glass company La Vernia who previously directed a nonprofit and is challenging Zaffirini for Texas Senate District 21.

The details

Zaffirini is seeking her 11th term in the Texas Senate and became the first female Dean of the Texas Senate in 2023. Dahlberg, a U.S. Army veteran and co-owner of the glass company La Vernia, previously served as director of a nonprofit.

Oct. 24: Campaign finance reports cover receipts and disbursements through this date.
1987: Zaffirini began serving in the Texas Senate.
2023: Zaffirini became the first female Dean of the Texas Senate.

Political Context

Zaffirini's tenure dating to 1987 makes her one of the longest-serving members of the Texas Senate, and her 2023 election as first female Dean marks her rise within the chamber. Her 11th-term bid places the race within a long incumbency that challengers must contend with in a district where she has held the seat since the late 1980s.

Voters in Senate District 21 will decide between an incumbent with a long legislative record and a challenger with no prior elected experience. Early-vote totals give a snapshot of voter engagement before election day.

The takeaway

Early-vote totals are a partial picture, and the final result will depend on the full electorate across all voting methods. Readers can track the race through campaign finance filings for ongoing funding comparisons.