1992 Texas House of Representatives election

The 1992 Texas House of Representatives elections took place as part of the biennial United States elections. Texas voters elected state representatives in all 150 State House of Representatives districts. The winners of this election served in the 73rd Texas Legislature, with seats apportioned according to the 1990 United States census. State representatives serve for two-year terms. Democrats maintained their majority of 92 out of 150 seats. As of 2024, this is the last time Democrats won the statewide popular vote for the Texas House.

1992 Texas House of Representatives election

← 1990 November 3, 1992 1994 →

All 150 seats in the Texas House of Representatives
76 seats needed for a majority
  Majority party Minority party
 
Leader Gib Lewis
(retired)
Tom Craddick
Party Democratic Republican
Leader since January 11, 1983 January 9, 1973
Leader's seat 89th 82nd
Last election 93 57
Seats before 92 58
Seats won 92 58
Seat change Steady Steady
Popular vote 2,573,755 2,234,252
Percentage 52.13% 45.25%
Swing Decrease 2.39% Increase 0.23%

     Democratic hold      Democratic gain
     Republican hold      Republican gain
Democratic:      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%      80–90%      ≥90%
Republican:      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%      80–90%      ≥90%

Speaker before election

Gib Lewis
Democratic

Elected Speaker

Pete Laney
Democratic

Background

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Democrats had held control of the Texas House of Representatives since Reconstruction. Republicans had gained one seat due to special elections after the resignation of Democrat Bruce Gibson of District 58. Republican Bernard Erickson won the special election outright to avoid a runoff, becoming the first Republican to ever represent the district.[1]

Redistricting

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Following the release of the 1990 census results, Democrats fully controlled the redistricting process. Republicans sued over the Texas House's map that was originally passed. The courts partially overhauled the map as a result of these lawsuits.[2] Democrats codified the court's map into law in a January 1992 special session.[3]

House districts follow the "county line rule," effectively granting individual counties delegations of state house seats based on their population.[4] The census found that Texas had a population of 14,229,191 in 1980, giving each district an "ideal population" of 94,861 people. In 1990, the "ideal population for a district" was 113,243 people based on a statewide population of 16,986,510. Counties with at least this number of people must fully contain at least one state house district. Counties with sufficient population for two or more districts must be divided into that number of districts. Should a county have sufficient population for one or more district plus a fraction of another, one district from another county may extend into it to represent the remaining population. District delegations for counties with at least one district changed as follows following the 1990 Census:[5]

County 1980 pop.[6] Seats Partial 1990 pop.[7] Seats Partial +/– W +/– P
Bell County 157,820 1 Yes 191,073 1 Yes    
Bexar County 988,971 10 No 1,185,394 11 No  1  
Brazoria County 169,587 1 Two 191,707 1 Yes    
Brazos County 93,588 1 No 121,862 1 Yes    
Cameron County 209,727 2 Yes 260,120 2 Yes    
Collin County 144,576 1 Two 264,036 2 Yes  1  
Dallas County 1,556,419 17 No 1,852,691 16 No  1  
Denton County 143,126 1 Yes 273,644 2 Yes  1  
Ector County 115,374 1 Yes 118,934 1 Yes    
El Paso County 479,899 5 No 591,610 5 No    
Fort Bend County 130,962 1 Yes 225,421 2 No  1  
Galveston County 195,738 2 No 217,396 2 No    
Gregg County 99,495 1 No 104,948 0 Yes  1  
Harris County 2,409,547 26 No 2,818,101 25 No  1  
Hidalgo County 283,323 3 No 383,545 3 Yes    
Jefferson County 248,651 2 Two 239,389 2 Yes    
Lubbock County 211,651 2 Yes 222,636 2 No    
McLennan County 170,755 1 Yes 189,123 1 Yes    
Montgomery County 127,222 1 Yes 182,201 1 Yes    
Nueces County 268,215 2 Yes 291,145 2 Yes    
Potter County 98,637 1 No 97,874 0 Yes  1  
Smith County 128,366 1 Yes 151,309 1 Yes    
Tarrant County 860,880 9 No 1,170,103 10 No  1  
Taylor County 110,932 1 Yes 119,655 1 Yes    
Travis County 419,573 4 Yes 576,407 5 No  1  
Webb County 99,258 1 No 133,239 1 Yes    
Wichita County 121,082 1 Yes 122,378 1 Yes    
Williamson County 76,521 0 Yes 139,551 1 Yes  1  

Results

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Despite Republican George H. W. Bush's victory in Texas in the concurrent presidential election, Republicans made no net gains over the Democrats in the Texas House.[8] A large number of retirements and primary defeats led to a turnover of over 30 House members.[9] In Harris County, a narrow election result in District 144 led to a contested election between Democrat Donald Fogo and Republican Robert Talton. Early ballots had Fogo in the lead, but later counts gave the lead to Talton. A recount confirmed Talton's victory, but Fogo contested the election.[10] A special panel in the Texas House later upheld Talton's victory, flipping the seat to the Republicans.[11]

Statewide

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Summary of the November 3, 1992 Texas House of Representatives election results
 
Party Candidates Votes % Seats +/–
Democratic Party 115 2,573,755 52.13% 92  
Republican Party 89 2,234,252 45.25% 58  
Libertarian Party 29 129,353 2.62% 0
Total 4,937,360 100.00% 150
Popular vote
Democratic
52.13%
Republican
45.25%
Libertarian
2.62%
House seats won
Democratic
61.33%
Republican
38.67%

Close races

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  1. District 38, 0.26% (gain)
  2. District 144, 0.28% (gain)
  3. District 134, 2.54%
  4. District 13, 3.64%
  5. District 52, 3.72% (gain)
  6. District 57, 8.54%
  7. District 81, 8.58% (gain)
  8. District 89, 8.77%
  9. District 10, 9.54%
  10. District 87, 9.74%
  11. District 106, 9.76% (gain)

Results by district

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District Democratic Republican Libertarian Total Result
Votes % Votes % Votes % Votes %
District 1 30,216 100.00% - - - - 30,216 100.00% Democratic hold
District 2 25,051 61.48% 15,697 38.52% - - 40,748 100.00% Democratic hold
District 3 30,733 100.00% - - - - 30,733 100.00% Democratic hold
District 4 23,117 55.30% 18,685 44.70% - - 41,802 100.00% Democratic gain
District 5 25,125 66.29% 12,778 33.71% - - 37,903 100.00% Democratic hold
District 6 - - 35,321 100.00% - - 35,321 100.00% Republican hold
District 7 - - 29,855 100.00% - - 29,855 100.00% Republican hold
District 8 31,437 72.73% 11,789 27.27% - - 43,226 100.00% Democratic hold
District 9 34,024 100.00% - - - - 34,024 100.00% Democratic hold
District 10 19,173 45.23% 23,217 54.77% - - 42,390 100.00% Republican hold
District 11 28,740 100.00% - - - - 28,740 100.00% Democratic hold
District 12 33,028 100.00% - - - - 33,028 100.00% Democratic hold
District 13 21,062 51.82% 19,579 48.18% - - 40,641 100.00% Democratic hold
District 14 - - 31,649 100.00% - - 31,649 100.00% Republican hold
District 15 - - 35,491 100.00% - - 35,491 100.00% Republican hold
District 16 14,981 34.83% 28,027 65.17% - - 43,008 100.00% Republican hold
District 17 33,129 100.00% - - - - 33,129 100.00% Democratic hold
District 18 32,166 100.00% - - - - 32,166 100.00% Democratic hold
District 19 31,306 71.92% 12,223 28.08% - - 43,529 100.00% Democratic hold
District 20 27,131 65.76% 14,125 34.24% - - 41,256 100.00% Democratic hold
District 21 30,101 60.24% 19,870 39.76% - - 49,971 100.00% Democratic hold
District 22 29,864 100.00% - - - - 29,864 100.00% Democratic hold
District 23 24,672 100.00% - - - - 24,672 100.00% Democratic hold
District 24 31,605 100.00% - - - - 31,605 100.00% Democratic hold
District 25 - - 33,332 100.00% - - 33,332 100.00% Republican hold
District 26 16,138 32.65% 33,288 67.35% - - 49,426 100.00% Republican hold
District 27 22,270 66.88% 11,030 33.12% - - 33,300 100.00% Democratic gain
District 28 32,005 100.00% - - - - 32,005 100.00% Democratic hold
District 29 26,224 100.00% - - - - 26,224 100.00% Democratic hold
District 30 18,041 44.86% 22,177 55.14% - - 40,218 100.00% Republican hold
District 31 28,958 100.00% - - - - 28,958 100.00% Democratic hold
District 32 30,084 100.00% - - - - 30,084 100.00% Democratic hold
District 33 19,741 56.11% 15,443 43.89% - - 35,184 100.00% Democratic hold
District 34 21,260 100.00% - - - - 21,260 100.00% Democratic hold
District 35 25,116 100.00% - - - - 25,116 100.00% Democratic hold
District 36 14,761 100.00% - - - - 14,761 100.00% Democratic gain
District 37 13,367 100.00% - - - - 13,367 100.00% Democratic hold
District 38 12,237 50.13% 12,172 49.87% - - 24,409 100.00% Democratic gain
District 39 15,149 100.00% - - - - 15,149 100.00% Democratic hold
District 40 15,237 100.00% - - - - 15,237 100.00% Democratic hold
District 41 15,099 100.00% - - - - 15,099 100.00% Democratic hold
District 42 19,102 100.00% - - - - 19,102 100.00% Democratic hold
District 43 26,101 100.00% - - - - 26,101 100.00% Democratic hold
District 44 29,174 100.00% - - - - 29,174 100.00% Democratic hold
District 45 - - 31,560 74.22% 10,961 25.78% 42,521 100.00% Republican hold
District 46 28,504 100.00% - - - - 28,504 100.00% Democratic hold
District 47 23,987 34.59% 45,355 65.41% - - 69,342 100.00% Republican gain
District 48 36,058 65.51% 18,983 34.49% - - 55,041 100.00% Democratic hold
District 49 39,106 100.00% - - - - 39,106 100.00% Democratic hold
District 50 32,766 87.11% - - 4,848 12.89% 37,614 100.00% Democratic hold
District 51 26,628 70.20% 11,306 29.80% - - 37,934 100.00% Democratic hold
District 52 23,443 48.14% 25,259 51.86% - - 48,702 100.00% Republican gain
District 53 - - 39,480 100.00% - - 39,480 100.00% Republican hold
District 54 21,081 100.00% - - - - 21,081 100.00% Democratic hold
District 55 - - 21,076 100.00% - - 21,076 100.00% Republican hold
District 56 18,131 40.31% 26,853 59.69% - - 44,984 100.00% Republican hold
District 57 19,296 54.27% 16,261 45.73% - - 35,557 100.00% Democratic hold
District 58 18,454 42.00% 25,486 58.00% - - 43,940 100.00% Republican hold
District 59 22,689 100.00% - - - - 22,689 100.00% Democratic hold
District 60 27,728 62.16% 16,876 37.84% - - 44,604 100.00% Democratic hold
District 61 28,709 63.83% 16,269 36.17% - - 44,978 100.00% Democratic hold
District 62 29,768 100.00% - - - - 29,768 100.00% Democratic hold
District 63 17,987 38.06% 26,651 56.39% 2,622 5.55% 47,260 100.00% Republican gain
District 64 - - 35,079 100.00% - - 35,079 100.00% Republican hold
District 65 15,305 36.86% 26,219 63.14% - - 41,524 100.00% Republican hold
District 66 - - 43,645 85.32% 7,508 14.68% 51,153 100.00% Republican hold
District 67 - - 35,408 83.97% 6,759 16.03% 42,167 100.00% Republican gain
District 68 32,719 100.00% - - - - 32,719 100.00% Democratic hold
District 69 31,304 100.00% - - - - 31,304 100.00% Democratic hold
District 70 29,037 100.00% - - - - 29,037 100.00% Democratic hold
District 71 - - 32,463 100.00% - - 32,463 100.00% Republican hold
District 72 33,576 100.00% - - - - 33,576 100.00% Democratic hold
District 73 27,627 61.16% 17,548 38.84% - - 45,175 100.00% Democratic hold
District 74 22,779 100.00% - - - - 22,779 100.00% Democratic hold
District 75 16,308 100.00% - - - - 16,308 100.00% Democratic hold
District 76 22,122 100.00% - - - - 22,122 100.00% Democratic hold
District 77 14,797 100.00% - - - - 14,797 100.00% Democratic hold
District 78 - - 25,443 100.00% - - 25,443 100.00% Republican hold
District 79 - - 21,041 100.00% - - 21,041 100.00% Republican hold
District 80 26,634 100.00% - - - - 26,634 100.00% Democratic hold
District 81 16,404 45.71% 19,482 54.29% - - 35,886 100.00% Republican gain
District 82 - - 32,539 100.00% - - 32,539 100.00% Republican hold
District 83 11,628 39.24% 18,004 60.76% - - 29,632 100.00% Republican hold
District 84 16,907 33.60% 33,407 66.40% - - 50,314 100.00% Republican hold
District 85 25,206 100.00% - - - - 25,206 100.00% Democratic hold
District 86 - - 36,420 100.00% - - 36,420 100.00% Republican hold
District 87 14,720 45.13% 17,897 54.87% - - 32,617 100.00% Republican hold
District 88 32,755 100.00% - - - - 32,755 100.00% Democratic hold
District 89 20,446 51.06% 16,934 42.29% 2,665 6.66% 40,045 100.00% Democratic hold
District 90 19,645 100.00% - - - - 19,645 100.00% Democratic hold
District 91 - - 32,663 82.26% 7,042 17.74% 39,705 100.00% Republican hold
District 92 14,901 30.24% 32,208 65.36% 2,167 4.40% 49,276 100.00% Republican hold
District 93 13,654 37.18% 20,565 56.00% 2,503 6.82% 36,722 100.00% Republican hold
District 94 - - 39,072 100.00% - - 39,072 100.00% Republican hold
District 95 31,378 100.00% - - - - 31,378 100.00% Democratic hold
District 96 - - 34,124 82.08% 7,450 17.92% 41,574 100.00% Republican hold
District 97 18,074 30.56% 41,059 69.44% - - 59,133 100.00% Republican hold
District 98 - - 38,914 100.00% - - 38,914 100.00% Republican hold
District 99 - - 36,045 83.74% 6,997 16.26% 43,042 100.00% Republican hold
District 100 18,609 69.47% 8,180 30.53% - - 26,789 100.00% Democratic hold
District 101 13,231 34.79% 24,800 65.21% - - 38,031 100.00% Republican hold
District 102 - - 36,703 100.00% - - 36,703 100.00% Republican hold
District 103 13,438 81.42% - - 3,067 18.58% 16,505 100.00% Democratic hold
District 104 10,158 66.05% 5,222 33.95% - - 15,380 100.00% Democratic gain
District 105 15,536 71.63% - - 6,154 28.37% 21,690 100.00% Democratic hold
District 106 15,615 45.12% 18,995 54.88% - - 34,610 100.00% Republican gain
District 107 17,601 53.41% 12,248 37.16% 3,108 9.43% 32,957 100.00% Democratic hold
District 108 13,729 23.63% 41,503 71.45% 2,858 4.92% 58,090 100.00% Republican hold
District 109 24,125 100.00% - - - - 24,125 100.00% Democratic gain
District 110 27,029 71.06% 11,010 28.94% - - 38,039 100.00% Democratic hold
District 111 24,550 65.07% 13,179 34.93% - - 37,729 100.00% Democratic hold
District 112 - - 32,310 100.00% - - 32,310 100.00% Republican hold
District 113 - - 28,121 82.06% 6,149 17.94% 34,270 100.00% Republican hold
District 114 - - 33,653 100.00% - - 33,653 100.00% Republican hold
District 115 19,264 85.48% - - 3,273 14.52% 22,537 100.00% Democratic hold
District 116 21,957 100.00% - - - - 21,957 100.00% Democratic hold
District 117 16,506 100.00% - - - - 16,506 100.00% Democratic hold
District 118 19,147 100.00% - - - - 19,147 100.00% Democratic hold
District 119 21,949 100.00% - - - - 21,949 100.00% Democratic hold
District 120 21,965 100.00% - - - - 21,965 100.00% Democratic hold
District 121 - - 36,166 100.00% - - 36,166 100.00% Republican hold
District 122 - - 38,838 88.55% 5,024 11.45% 43,862 100.00% Republican hold
District 123 - - 39,044 87.83% 5,410 12.17% 44,454 100.00% Republican hold
District 124 22,105 100.00% - - - - 22,105 100.00% Democratic hold
District 125 19,605 61.68% 12,179 38.32% - - 31,784 100.00% Democratic gain
District 126 - - 40,114 100.00% - - 40,114 100.00% Republican hold
District 127 - - 36,728 84.16% 6,913 15.84% 43,641 100.00% Republican hold
District 128 21,590 100.00% - - - - 21,590 100.00% Democratic hold
District 129 - - 34,318 80.59% 8,264 19.41% 42,582 100.00% Republican hold
District 130 - - 37,161 100.00% - - 37,161 100.00% Republican hold
District 131 23,517 85.10% - - 4,118 14.90% 27,635 100.00% Democratic hold
District 132 23,784 55.81% 18,835 44.19% - - 42,619 100.00% Democratic hold
District 133 - - 39,518 87.95% 5,413 12.05% 44,931 100.00% Republican hold
District 134 17,317 50.15% 16,439 47.61% 774 2.24% 34,530 100.00% Democratic hold
District 135 15,851 35.95% 26,551 60.23% 1,684 3.82% 44,086 100.00% Republican hold
District 136 9,536 19.25% 37,594 75.88% 2,412 4.87% 49,542 100.00% Republican hold
District 137 19,553 59.12% 12,231 36.98% 1,290 3.90% 33,074 100.00% Democratic hold
District 138 18,218 58.52% 11,759 37.78% 1,152 3.70% 31,129 100.00% Democratic hold
District 139 19,542 100.00% - - - - 19,542 100.00% Democratic hold
District 140 14,150 100.00% - - - - 14,150 100.00% Democratic hold
District 141 25,558 100.00% - - - - 25,558 100.00% Democratic hold
District 142 24,651 100.00% - - - - 24,651 100.00% Democratic hold
District 143 15,939 100.00% - - - - 15,939 100.00% Democratic hold
District 144 13,323 49.86% 13,400 50.14% - - 26,723 100.00% Republican gain
District 145 11,992 66.15% 6,137 33.85% - - 18,129 100.00% Democratic hold
District 146 29,800 100.00% - - - - 29,800 100.00% Democratic hold
District 147 21,076 77.63% 6,073 22.37% - - 27,149 100.00% Democratic hold
District 148 13,253 66.49% 5,911 29.66% 768 3.85% 19,932 100.00% Democratic hold
District 149 - - 23,518 100.00% - - 23,518 100.00% Republican hold
District 150 - - 32,472 100.00% - - 32,472 100.00% Republican hold
Total 2,573,755 52.13% 2,234,252 45.25% 129,353 2.62% 4,937,360 100.00%

References

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  1. ^ "Erickson takes oath for Texas House". Austin American Statesman. May 14, 1992. pp. B2. ProQuest 256323047. Retrieved June 24, 2023.
  2. ^ "History". redistricting.capitol.texas.gov. Retrieved March 16, 2023.
  3. ^ Bickerstaff, Steve (2020). Heath, C. Robert (ed.). Gerrymandering Texas. Lubbock, Texas: Texas Tech University Press. p. 124. ISBN 978-1-68283-073-4.
  4. ^ "Legal Requirements". redistricting.capitol.texas.gov. Retrieved January 16, 2022.
  5. ^ "History". redistricting.capitol.texas.gov. Retrieved January 16, 2022.
  6. ^ "County Intercensal Tables 1980-1990". Census.gov. Retrieved June 24, 2023.
  7. ^ "1990 Census: All Counties". Census.gov. Retrieved June 24, 2023.
  8. ^ "1992 General Election". Texas Secretary of State. November 3, 1992. Retrieved June 23, 2023.
  9. ^ Copelin, Laylan (November 4, 1992). "Republican Combs beats Day for House seat". Austin American Statesman. pp. A15. ProQuest 256236528. Retrieved June 23, 2023.
  10. ^ Elliot, David (December 28, 1992). "House may settle contested election. Lawmakers hope to avoid partisan battle". Austin American Statesman. pp. A1. ProQuest 256209860. Retrieved June 23, 2023.
  11. ^ Gardner, Selby (February 4, 1993). "House panel upholds Pasadenan's election". Houston Post. pp. A24. ProQuest 391784651. Retrieved June 23, 2023.