2024 Texas Senate election
November 5, 2024
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15 of the 31 seats in the Texas Senate 16 seats needed for a majority | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Republican hold Republican gain Democratic hold No election Republican: 40–50% 50–60% 60–70% Democratic: 60–70% ≥90% | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Elections in Texas |
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| Government |
Elections to the Texas Senate were held on November 5, 2024, for 15 of the 31 Senate districts across the state of Texas. Numerous other federal, state, and local elections were held on this date. The winners of this election will serve full four-year terms covering the 89th Texas Legislature and the 90th Texas Legislature. Republicans have held a majority in the Texas Senate since January 14, 1997, as a result of the 1996 elections. Republicans won eight of the fifteen seats up for election, flipping one from the Democrats. Due to the high number of uncontested seats, however, Democratic candidates received more votes statewide than Republican candidates.
Primary elections were held on March 5, 2024, and any necessary runoffs were held on May 28.[1]
Partisan background
In the 2020 presidential election in Texas, Republican Donald Trump won 19 State Senate districts, while Democrat Joe Biden won 12 districts.[2] In the 2024 presidential election in Texas, Donald Trump won 2 more districts than he did in 2020 with 21, while Democrat Kamala Harris won 10 districts. In the aftermath of the 2024 election, Senate district 20 flipped to Trump by 4.3%, however incumbent Democratic State Senator Juan Hinojosa held the seat in a uncontested general election.
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Trump 50–60% 60–70% 70–80%
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Biden 50–60% 60–70% 70–80%
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Trump 50–60% 60–70% 70–80% 80–90%
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Harris 50–60% 60–70% 70–80%
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Background
Republicans expanded their majority by one seat to a 19–12 margin in the 2022 elections, picking up a seat anchored in Tarrant County that had been redrawn to significantly favor them but failing to win a competitive seat in the Rio Grande Valley.[3]
During the regular session, the legislature expanded school armed security measures, banned diversity, equity and inclusion offices at universities, and allowed school districts to hire or volunteer chaplains for mental health support for students.[4][5][6] Republican infighting in the House led to the collapse of a school voucher bill during the regular session despite the Senate easily passing it. Governor Greg Abbott vowed to call special sessions until it passed.[7] Efforts to legalize online sports betting and casino gambling found a resurgence in the House late in the session, with a bill to legalize online sports betting passing the House.[8] Neither proposal received any hearings in the Senate due to opposition from lieutenant governor Dan Patrick.[9][10]
On May 27, 2023, the House voted 121–23 to impeach attorney general Ken Paxton after a House committee found that he had used taxpayer funds to settle a legal dispute.[11][12][13] The Senate voted to acquit him of all charges in September 2023.[14]
Retirements
One incumbent did not seek re-election.
Republicans
- District 30: Drew Springer retired.[15]
Incumbents defeated
In the general election
Democrats
- District 27: Morgan LaMantia lost to Adam Hinojosa.[16]
Special elections
- District 15: John Whitmire (D) was elected Mayor of Houston in 2023 and resigned from the Senate on December 31, 2023.[17] Molly Cook won the special election held on May 4, 2024.[18][19]
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Molly Cook | 9,370 | 57.06% | |
| Democratic | Jarvis Johnson | 7,052 | 42.94% | |
| Total votes | 16,422 | 100.0% | ||
| Democratic hold | ||||
Campaign
Democrat Nathan Johnson was the only incumbent senator being challenged in the primary elections.[21] Republican Drew Springer's retirement and Democrat John Whitmire's resignation created open races for their seats.[15][17] Democrat Morgan LaMantia was the only senator expected to face a competitive general election.[22]
Predictions
Due to the size of the Republicans' majority and the low number of competitive seats, most analysts consider a change in control of the chamber to be unlikely.
Statewide
| Source | Ranking | As of |
|---|---|---|
| CNalysis[23] | Solid R | August 6, 2024 |
| Sabato's Crystal Ball[24] | Safe R | June 18, 2024 |
Competitive districts
| District | Incumbent | Last Result[25] | CNalysis[a] Oct. 21, 2024[26] |
Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 27th | Morgan LaMantia | 50.18% D | Tilt R (flip) | 49.38% R (flip) |
Results summary
| Party | Candidates | Votes | Seats | |||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| No. | % | Before | Up | Won | After | +/– | ||||||||
| Republican | 10 | 2,196,004 | 45.00 | 19 | 7 | 8 | 20 | 1 | ||||||
| Democratic | 15 | 2,678,156 | 54.88 | 12 | 8 | 7 | 11 | 1 | ||||||
| Green | 1 | 5,956 | 0.12 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |||||||
| Total | 4,880,116 | 100.00 | 31 | 15 | 15 | 31 | ||||||||
| Source: | ||||||||||||||
Summary of results by district
† - Incumbent not seeking re-election
| State Senate District | Incumbent | Party | Elected Senator | Party | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6th | Carol Alvarado | Dem | Carol Alvarado | Dem | ||
| 7th | Paul Bettencourt | Rep | Paul Bettencourt | Rep | ||
| 8th | Angela Paxton | Rep | Angela Paxton | Rep | ||
| 10th | Phil King | Rep | Phil King | Rep | ||
| 12th | Tan Parker | Rep | Tan Parker | Rep | ||
| 14th | Sarah Eckhardt | Dem | Sarah Eckhardt | Dem | ||
| 15th | Molly Cook[b] | Dem | Molly Cook | Dem | ||
| 16th | Nathan M. Johnson | Dem | Nathan M. Johnson | Dem | ||
| 17th | Joan Huffman | Rep | Joan Huffman | Rep | ||
| 20th | Juan Hinojosa | Dem | Juan Hinojosa | Dem | ||
| 23rd | Royce West | Dem | Royce West | Dem | ||
| 25th | Donna Campbell | Rep | Donna Campbell | Rep | ||
| 27th | Morgan LaMantia | Dem | Adam Hinojosa | Rep | ||
| 29th | Cesar Blanco | Dem | Cesar Blanco | Dem | ||
| 30th | Drew Springer† | Rep | Brent Hagenbuch | Rep | ||
Detailed results
|
District 6 • District 7 • District 8 • District 10 • District 12 • District 14 • District 15 • District 16 • District 17 • District 20 • District 23 • District 25 • District 27 • District 29 • District 30 |
District 6
Incumbent Democrat Carol Alvarado won re-election.
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Carol Alvarado (incumbent) | 119,280 | 63.01% | |
| Republican | Martha Fierro | 70,013 | 36.99% | |
| Total votes | 189,293 | 100.00% | ||
| Democratic hold | ||||
District 7
Incumbent Republican Paul Bettencourt won re-election.
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Michelle Gwinn | 12,707 | 55.66% | |
| Democratic | Nasir Malik | 10,122 | 44.34% | |
| Total votes | 22,829 | 100.00% | ||
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Paul Bettencourt (incumbent) | 251,489 | 63.41% | |
| Democratic | Michelle Gwinn | 145,100 | 36.59% | |
| Total votes | 396,589 | 100.00% | ||
| Republican hold | ||||
District 8
Incumbent Republican Angela Paxton won re-election.
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Angela Paxton (incumbent) | 269,743 | 59.36% | |
| Democratic | Rachel Mello | 184,642 | 40.64% | |
| Total votes | 454,385 | 100.00% | ||
| Republican hold | ||||
District 10
Incumbent Republican Phil King won re-election.
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Phil King (incumbent) | 227,475 | 61.71% | |
| Democratic | Andy Morris | 141,163 | 38.29% | |
| Total votes | 368,638 | 100.00% | ||
| Republican hold | ||||
District 12
Incumbent Republican Tan Parker won re-election.
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Tan Parker (incumbent) | 277,734 | 61.36% | |
| Democratic | Stephanie Draper | 174,875 | 38.64% | |
| Total votes | 452,609 | 100.00% | ||
| Republican hold | ||||
District 14
Incumbent Democrat Sarah Eckhardt won re-election unopposed.
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Sarah Eckhardt (incumbent) | 321,035 | 100.00% | |
| Total votes | 321,035 | 100.00% | ||
| Democratic hold | ||||
District 15
Former Senator, Democrat John Whitmire was elected Mayor of Houston in 2023 and resigned from this seat, creating a vacancy.[17] A special election to fill his unexpired term was held on May 4, 2024, with Molly Cook winning.[18] Cook narrowly won the Democratic primary runoff for a full term on May 28.[27]
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Jarvis Johnson | 17,953 | 36.19% | |
| Democratic | Molly Cook | 10,213 | 20.59% | |
| Democratic | Todd Litton | 7,859 | 15.84% | |
| Democratic | Michelle Anderson Bonton | 5,291 | 10.67% | |
| Democratic | Alberto "Beto" Cardenas | 5,196 | 10.48% | |
| Democratic | Karthik Soora | 3,091 | 6.23% | |
| Total votes | 49,603 | 100.00% | ||
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Molly Cook (incumbent) | 9,506 | 50.16% | |
| Democratic | Jarvis Johnson | 9,444 | 49.84% | |
| Total votes | 18,782 | 100.00% | ||
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Molly Cook (incumbent) | 200,680 | 61.90% | |
| Republican | Joseph L. Trahan | 123,515 | 38.10% | |
| Total votes | 324,195 | 100.00% | ||
| Democratic hold | ||||
District 16
Incumbent Democrat Nathan M. Johnson won re-election. He defeated state representative Victoria Neave in the Democratic primary and was unopposed in the general election.[21]
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Nathan M. Johnson (incumbent) | 19,734 | 59.19% | |
| Democratic | Victoria Neave | 13,604 | 40.81% | |
| Total votes | 33,338 | 100.00% | ||
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Nathan M. Johnson (incumbent) | 187,557 | 100.00% | |
| Total votes | 187,557 | 100.00% | ||
| Democratic hold | ||||
District 17
Incumbent Republican Joan Huffman won re-election.
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Joan Huffman (incumbent) | 238,328 | 64.16% | |
| Democratic | Kathy Cheng | 133,127 | 35.84% | |
| Total votes | 371,455 | 100.00% | ||
| Republican hold | ||||
District 20
Incumbent Democrat Juan Hinojosa won re-election unopposed.
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Juan Hinojosa (incumbent) | 178,987 | 100.00% | |
| Total votes | 178,987 | 100.00% | ||
| Democratic hold | ||||
District 23
Incumbent Democrat Royce West won re-election unopposed.
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Royce West (incumbent) | 253,413 | 100.00% | |
| Total votes | 253,413 | 100.00% | ||
| Democratic hold | ||||
District 25
Incumbent Republican Donna Campbell won re-election.
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Donna Campbell (incumbent) | 321,653 | 63.57% | |
| Democratic | Merrie Fox | 184,312 | 36.43% | |
| Total votes | 505,965 | 100.00% | ||
| Republican hold | ||||
District 27
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County results Hinojosa: 50–60% 60–70% LaMantia: 50–60% | |||||||||||||||||
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Incumbent Democrat Morgan LaMantia ran for re-election. She faced a rematch against Republican Adam Hinojosa, whom she narrowly defeated in 2022.[28][29] This race was the only one in the state expected to have a competitive general election.[22] Hinojosa had been endorsed by former Democratic senator Eddie Lucio Jr., who held the seat before LaMantia, citing Hinojosa's pro-life position on abortion.[30] Hinojosa narrowly won, becoming the first Republican to win a seat in the Senate from the Rio Grande Valley since 1869.[31]
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Adam Hinojosa | 126,073 | 49.38% | |
| Democratic | Morgan LaMantia (incumbent) | 123,305 | 48.29% | |
| Green | Hunter Crow | 5,956 | 2.33% | |
| Total votes | 255,334 | 100.00% | ||
| Republican gain from Democratic | ||||
District 29
Incumbent Democrat Cesar Blanco won re-election unopposed.
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Cesar Blanco (incumbent) | 174,731 | 100.00% | |
| Total votes | 174,731 | 100.00% | ||
| Democratic hold | ||||
District 30
Incumbent Republican Drew Springer retired.[15]
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Brent Hagenbuch | 35,262 | 36.38% | |
| Republican | Jace Yarbrough | 32,899 | 33.94% | |
| Republican | Carrie de Moor | 17,069 | 17.61% | |
| Republican | Cody Clark | 11,704 | 12.07% | |
| Total votes | 96,934 | 100.00% | ||
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Brent Hagenbuch | 18,779 | 56.65% | |
| Republican | Jace Yarbrough | 14,368 | 43.35% | |
| Total votes | 33,147 | 100.00% | ||
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Michael Braxton | 7,833 | 37.72% | |
| Democratic | Dale Frey | 6,856 | 33.02% | |
| Democratic | Matthew McGhee | 6,077 | 29.26% | |
| Total votes | 20,766 | 100.00% | ||
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Dale Frey | 1,737 | 56.99% | |
| Democratic | Michael Braxton | 1,311 | 43.01% | |
| Total votes | 3,048 | 100.00% | ||
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Brent Hagenbuch | 289,981 | 65.03% | |
| Democratic | Dale Frey | 155,949 | 34.97% | |
| Total votes | 445,930 | 100.00% | ||
| Republican hold | ||||
Notes
- ^ CNalysis has two separate sets of predictions: Classic (Analyst ratings only), and Expanded (Classic alongside recent statewide election results). This table uses the Classic set.
- ^ Elected in a May 4, 2024, special election to fill incumbent vacancy left by Democrat John Whitmire, who resigned to become Mayor of Houston on December 31, 2023.
See also
References
- ^ "Texas State Senate elections, 2024". Ballotpedia. Retrieved June 16, 2023.
- ^ Blank, Joshua (January 10, 2022). "Comparing Trump-Biden Vote Shares in Old and New Texas Senate Districts". The Texas Politics Project. Retrieved April 3, 2025.
- ^ Barragán, Zach Despart and James (November 9, 2022). "Republicans narrowly increase their majorities in Texas Legislature". The Texas Tribune. Retrieved February 13, 2024.
- ^ Henvey, Winston (September 15, 2023). "Learn how Allen ISD's new armed security aims to keep students safe". Allen American. Star Local Media. Archived from the original on September 20, 2023.
- ^ McGee, Kate (April 19, 2023). "Texas Senate approves bill that would ban diversity programs in public universities". Texas Tribune. Archived from the original on September 29, 2023.
- ^ Henvey, Winston (November 15, 2023). "Allen ISD considers policy around chaplains for mental health support". Allen American. Star Local Media. Archived from the original on November 20, 2023.
- ^ Watkins, Kate McGee and Matthew (May 30, 2023). "The regular Texas legislative session started with a record budget surplus and ended with an impeached attorney general". The Texas Tribune. Retrieved February 13, 2024.
- ^ Svitek, Patrick (May 11, 2023). "In dramatic vote, Texas House approves online sports betting measure". The Texas Tribune. Retrieved October 7, 2024.
- ^ Autullo, Ryan (May 12, 2023). "Eight resort-style casinos in Texas? Not likely after proposal dies in House". Austin American-Statesman. Retrieved October 7, 2024.
- ^ "The Push for Casino Gambling and Sports Betting in Texas: Key Legislation and Debate". Texas Policy Research. September 18, 2024. Retrieved October 7, 2024.
- ^ Despart, Zach; Barragán, James (May 27, 2023). "Texas AG Ken Paxton impeached, suspended from duties pending outcome of Senate trial". The Texas Tribune. Archived from the original on May 27, 2023. Retrieved May 27, 2023.
- ^ Vertuno, Jim; Bleiberg, Jake (May 27, 2023). "Why Texas' GOP-controlled House wants to impeach Republican attorney general". AP News. Archived from the original on May 26, 2023. Retrieved May 27, 2023.
- ^ Plohetski, Tony (May 27, 2023). "How a $3.3M settlement against Texas AG Ken Paxton put him on path to impeachment vote". Austin American-Statesman. Retrieved May 28, 2023.
{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: deprecated archival service (link) - ^ Timm, Jane C. (September 16, 2023). "Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton acquitted in impeachment trial". NBC News. Retrieved February 13, 2024.
- ^ a b c Svitek, Patrick (November 7, 2023). "State Sen. Drew Springer will not seek reelection in 2024". The Texas Tribune. Retrieved December 24, 2023.
- ^ Downey, Renzo (November 6, 2024). "Adam Hinojosa flips Texas Senate seat, becomes first Republican to represent Rio Grande Valley district since Reconstruction". Texas Tribune. Retrieved November 7, 2024.
- ^ a b c Church, Abby (January 1, 2024). "John Whitmire is officially sworn in as Houston mayor in private ceremony". Houston Chronicle. Retrieved January 20, 2024.
- ^ a b Cheng, Yilun (January 19, 2024). "Texas Senate hopefuls vie to fill Mayor John Whitmire's vacated seat". Houston Chronicle. Retrieved January 20, 2023.
- ^ Harris, Cayla (May 5, 2024). "Houston's Whitmire to seek state Senate seat". Houston Chronicle. Retrieved May 5, 2024.
- ^ "Texas State Senate District 15 Special General". DDHQ. May 5, 2024. Retrieved May 5, 2024.
- ^ a b Jankowski, Philip; Jeffers Jr., Gromer (December 13, 2023). "Texas Rep. Victoria Neave Criado to challenge state Sen. Nathan Johnson in March primary". Dallas News. Retrieved February 13, 2024.
- ^ a b Svitek, Patrick (March 15, 2023). "Texas Democrats and Republicans are on the hunt for rare chances to flip seats in 2024". The Texas Tribune. Retrieved February 13, 2024.
- ^ "24 TX Forecast". projects.cnalysis.com. Retrieved March 23, 2024.
- ^ Jacobson, Louis (June 18, 2024). "2024's Battleground State Legislative Chambers". Sabato's Crystal Ball. Retrieved June 19, 2024.
- ^ "2022-2023 Election Data". cnalysis. February 29, 2024. Retrieved March 16, 2024.
- ^ "24 TX Forecast". projects.cnalysis.com. Retrieved March 16, 2024.
- ^ Cheng, Yilun (May 29, 2024). "ER nurse Molly Cook defeats Jarvis Johnson in race for John Whitmire's Texas Senate seat". Houston Chronicle. Retrieved May 29, 2024.
- ^ Yañez, Alejandra (December 14, 2022). "LaMantia remains winner after recount for Senate District 27". KVEO-TV. Retrieved February 13, 2024.
- ^ Dozier, Dylan (December 2, 2023). "Hinojosa files for rematch". STexasNews.com. Retrieved March 1, 2024.
- ^ Montoya, Luis (October 8, 2024). "Lucio endorses Hinojosa in Senate District 27". Rio Grande Guardian. Retrieved October 14, 2024.
- ^ Downey, Renzo (November 6, 2024). "Adam Hinojosa flips Texas Senate seat, becomes first Republican to represent Rio Grande Valley district since Reconstruction". The Texas Tribune. Retrieved February 6, 2026.