AUSTIN, Texas — Former Dallas County Sheriff Lupe Valdez is the winner of the Tuesday primary runoff, beating Houston businessman Andrew White.

The race was neck and neck for most of the night with Valdez winning 52.4 percent of the vote to White’s 47.6 percent.

Valdez is the first openly gay and first Latina candidate nominated for governor in Texas.

In her victory speech, she once again outlined her credentials, highlighting her poor upbringing, military service, and time as Dallas County sheriff.

“I am going to be that governor who will say now let me find a path for you, let me find a path for your healthcare, let me find a path for your living wage, let me find a path for your public education,” she said.

White conceded to Valdez and endorsed her campaign against Governor Abbott.

“I’m proud of what we accomplished in the last six months, and I’m going to fight for Beto, Lupe and all the great Democratic candidates,” he said in a press release. “We’ve got to win in November. Texas is counting on us.”

Valdez’s fight is far from over. She faces an uphill battle against Governor Greg Abbott, who has high approval ratings and mountains of campaign cash.

Comparatively, Valdez has faced difficulty fundraising, only bringing in a little more than $200,000 since late February. However, she is remaining confident saying that, now that the primary is settled, she believes Democratic donors will finally open up their pocketbooks .

“I think the Democrats will back up a Democrat,” she said. “I have no doubt that we are going to get every penny we need.”