The results are in! Here are the “down and dirty” results of races of interest in Texas. For more detailed information, go to the Secretary of State’s website at http://www.sos.state.tx.us/elections/. A future memo will provide more detailed analysis of the Texas election results and the implications for the upcoming legislative session. We will also follow any possible recounts and election challenges.
GOVERNOR’S RACE
Governor Rick Perry soundly defeated challenger Bill White. Perry got 55 percent of the vote over Democrat Bill White who received 42 percent. Libertarian Kathy Glass got just over two percent. According to a Texas exit poll by The Associated Press and TV networks, Perry beat White among men, and they split the votes among women. Perry gained 65 percent of white voters, who made up more than two-thirds of the turnout in Texas. White ran better than Perry among minorities, getting 89 percent of the vote of African-Americans and 66 percent of the Hispanic vote. White won the votes of the under-30 crowd but Perry was the top pick of adults age 45 and older, who accounted for most of those who voted. White, the former Houston mayor, beat Perry almost 2-to-1 in the big cities, but was defeated by the governor in the suburbs and rural Texas. Perry also got most of the vote from independents. How much did this race cost? Together, Perry and White spent more than $62 million.
U.S. HOUSE
It was the Republicans night. Of the 32 members of the Texas delegation, 3 Democrat incumbents were defeated. In Congressional District 17, Republican Bill Flores defeated long time Congressman Chet Edwards (D-Waco). Congressman Ciro Rodriguez (D-San Antonio) lost a close race to Republican Francisco “Quico” Canseco in Congressional District 23 and Congressman Solomon Ortiz (D-Corpus Christi) lost to Republican challenger Blake Farenthold in Congressional District 27. The partisan balance of the Texas Congressional delegation now includes 23 Republicans and 9 Democrats.
STATEWIDE RACES
In the statewide races, it was a Republican sweep. Lieutenant Governor David Dewhurst (R) defeated Democrat Linda Chavez-Thompson. Attorney General Greg Abbott (R) defeated Democrat Barbara Ann Radnofsky. Comptroller Susan Combs (R) faced no major party opposition and won her race handily. Agriculture Commissioner Todd Staples (R) defeated Democrat Hank Gilbert. Land Commissioner Jerry Patterson (R) defeated Democrat Hector Uribe. In the race for a seat of the three-person Texas Railroad Commission, Republican David Porter defeated Democrat Jeff Weems.
TEXAS SENATE
In the Texas Senate, 15 of the 31 members were up for reelection. In the seat left open by the retirement on Sen. Eliot Shapleigh (D-El Paso), Democrat Jose Rodriguez defeated Republican Dan Chavez. Seven incumbent senators faced no major party opposition. There were seven general election contests that incumbent senator each won handily. That leaves the Texas Senate with 18 Republicans and 12 Democrats, the same partisan split as before.
TEXAS HOUSE
In the Texas House, all 150 seats were up for reelection. Nine incumbents did not seek reelection. Seven incumbents were defeated in the primary elections. (Republicans Delwin Jones, Tommy Merritt, and Betty Brown; and Democrats Norma Chavez, Tara Rios Ybarra, Doro Olivo, and Al Edwards) Eighty-two incumbents faced no major party opposition. Prior to the election, the partisan balance of the House was 77 Republicans to 73 Democrats. Due to the results listed below, the House partisan balance stands at 99 Republicans and 51 Democrats. If Rep. Donna Howard (D-Austin) fails to hold her 15 vote lead in House District 48, Republicans would have an even 100 seats in the Texas House. At this time, it appears that Speaker Joe Straus will continue as the House’s presiding officer. A press conference is scheduled for later today
Last night, 21 House incumbents were defeated, all Democrats. Republicans picked up an additional seat due to the partisan switch of House District 69 currently held by retiring Rep. David Farabee (D-Wichita Falls). Republican Lanham Lyle has won that seat. No Republican incumbents were defeated. Since a few of these races were pretty close, there may be a few requests for recounts. These requests are filed after the votes are canvassed.
Democrat incumbents who were defeated include the following:
HD 1: Rep. Stephen Frost (D-Atlanta) defeated by George Lavender (R)
HD3: Rep. Mark Homer (D-Paris) defeated by Erwin Cain (R)
HD12: Rep. Jim McReynolds (D-Lufkin) defeated by James White (R)
HD 33: Rep. Solomon Ortiz, Jr (D-Corpus Christi) defeated by Raul Torres (R)
HD 34: Rep. Abel Herrero (D-Robstown) defeated by Connie Scott (R)
HD 35: Rep. Yvonne Gonzalez Toureilles (D-Alice) defeated by Jose Aliseda (R)
HD 45: Rep. Patrick Rose (D-Dripping Springs) defeated by Jason Isaac (R)
HD 47: Rep. Valinda Bolton (D-Austin) defeated by Paul Workman (R)
HD 52: Rep. Diana Maldonado (D-Round Rock) defeated by Larry Gonzales (R)
HD 57: Rep. Jim Dunnam (D-Waco) defeated by Marva Beck (R)
HD 78: Rep. Joe Moody (D-El Paso) defeated by Dee Margo (R)
HD 85: Rep. Joe Heflin (D-Crosbyton) defeated by Jim Landtroop (R)
HD 93: Rep. Paula Pierson (D-Arlington) defeated by Barbara Nash (R)
HD 96: Rep. Chris Turner (D-Arlington) defeated by Bill Zedler (R)
HD 101: Rep. Robert Miklos (D-Mesquite) defeated by Cindy Burkett (R)
HD 102: Rep. Carol Kent (D-Dallas) defeated by Stefani Carter (R)
HD 106: Rep. Kirk England (D-Grand Prairie) defeated by Rodney Anderson (R)
HD 107: Rep. Allen Vaught (D-Dallas) defeated by Kenneth Sheets (R)
HD 117: Rep. David Leibowitz (D-San Antonio) defeated by John V. Garza (R)
HD 133: Rep. Kristi Thibaut (D-Houston) defeated by Jim Murphy (R)
HD 134: Rep. Ellen Cohen (D-Houston) defeated by Sarah Davis (R)
HD 48: Rep. Donna Howard (D-Austin) defeated Republican challenger Dan Neil by a mere 15 votes so this race is likely in line for a recount.
There were 9 “open” House races for seats held by members who were not seeking reelection. The results are listed below with the current member in parentheses.
District 20: (Rep. Dan Gattis R-Georgetown)
Charles Schwertner (R) faced no major party opposition
District 36: (Rep. Kino Flores D-Palmview)
Sergio Munoz, Jr. (D) faced no major party opposition
District 66: (Rep. Brian McCall R-Plano)
Van Taylor (R) faced no major party opposition * Taylor is currently serving the remainder of McCall’s current term.
District 69: (Rep. David Farabee D-Wichita Falls)
Lanham Lyle (R) defeated Michael Smith (D) *Note partisan switch of seat
District 84: (Rep. Carl Isett R-Lubbock)
John Frullo (R) defeated Carol Morgan (D) * Frullo also won a special election to fill the remainder of Isett’s current term, giving him a small jump in seniority
District 87: (Rep. David Swinford R-Amarillo)
Walter “Four” Price (R) defeated Abel Bosquez (D)
District 100 – (Rep. Terri Hodge D-Dallas)
Eric Johnson (D) faced no major party opposition * Johnson is currently serving the remainder of Hodge’s current term.
District 122: (Rep. Frank Corte R-San Antonio)
Lyle Larson (R) defeated Masarrat Ali (D)
District 127: (Rep. Joe Crabb R-Kingwood)
Dan Huberty (R) defeated Joe Montemayor (D)
TEXAS COURTS
There were three contested races for spots on the Texas Supreme Court. In Place 3, Republican incumbent Justice Debra Lehrmann defeated Democrat Jim Sharp. In Place 5, Republican incumbent Justice Paul Green defeated Democrat Jim Moody. In Place 9, Incumbent Republican Justice Eva Guzman defeated Democrat Blake Bailey. There was one contested race for a seat on the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals. Republican incumbent Justice Michael Keasler defeated Democrat Keith Hampton.
STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION
There were four contested races for SBOE. Incumbent Rene Nunez (D) was defeated by Republican Carlos Charlie Garza. Incumbent Ken Mercer (R) defeated Democrat Rebecca Bell- Metereau. There were two open races. Republican Marsha Farney defeated Democrat Judy Jennings to replace retiring Republican Cynthia Dunbar. Democrat Michael Soto defeated Republican Tony Cuningham to replace retiring Democrat Rick Agosto.