BEAUMONT, Texas — As the highly contested race for House Representative District 21 continues, both candidates and their supporters were at different polling locations casting their votes.
12News caught up with David Covey, and supporters of incumbent Dade Phelan out at the polls.
"Creating an environment where our students can get jobs, where they can get good education, I want to work on things like broadband for this area and drainage," said Covey.
If elected, Covey says he would like the opportunity to advocate for Southeast Texas on a larger scale.
"So in regards to how you work for the community, on those local issues you really have to build that coalition," he said.
12News also previously caught up with Phelan at the polls.
"Everyday that Southeast Texas does not have somebody at the table with the Lieutenant Governor, and a governor making deals that impact your daily lives," Phelan said.
Phelan says as Speaker of the House, he's been able to secure the more funding for transportation projects in Southeast Texas than the entire State of Texas.
"Speaker Phelan did some things, helped to run through some things that were beneficial, to education in my book," said Gerald Brignac, a Phelan supporter.
Brignac tells 12News he's concerned that as a freshman representative, Covey would not have enough experience to make a change.
"This is an incredible amount of power or influence for a region here that is on the cusp of an economic boom. And if someone that is a leader, someone that in this position doesn't understand that fully then our area is going to suffer," he said.
Covey tells 12News that he's not worried about starting from scratch.
"I've already shown that I can work with the former President Trump so if I can go all the way up, and get his recognition, and across the state, I believe that I can also work with the other elected representatives from around this state," Covey said.
Both candidates stress the importance of voting in this election.
Early voting ends on Friday, May 24.