The 2020 Texas Senate elections took place as part of the biennial United States elections. Texas voters elected state senators in 16 of the 31 state senate districts. The winners of this election served in the 87th Texas Legislature. State senators serve four-year terms in the Texas State Senate. Those elected in 2020 will only be elected for two years, however, as part of the 2-4-4 term system. A statewide map of Texas's state Senate districts can be obtained from the Texas Legislative Council.[1] and individual district maps can be obtained from the U.S. Census.[2]
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16 of the 31 seats in the Texas State Senate 16 seats needed for a majority | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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  Republican hold Democratic hold Democratic gain Republican: 50–60% 60–70% 70–80% ≥90% | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Following the 2018 state senate elections, Republicans maintained effective control of the Senate with 19 members. To claim control of the chamber from Republicans, the Democrats would have needed to net four Senate seats.
The Democratic Party gained one seat (District 19), leaving the Republicans with an 18 to 13 majority in the chamber. This broke Republican's effective supermajority in the chamber, as legislation typically requires 19 votes, three fifths, to pass the chamber.[3] At the urging of lieutenant governor Dan Patrick, the senate voted to reduce this threshold to 18, just as he had done to reduce the threshold from 21 to 19 during the 2015 session.[4]
Retirements
editOne incumbent did not run for re-election in 2020:
Democrats
edit- District 29: José R. Rodríguez: Retiring
Incumbents defeated
editIn the general election
editRepublicans
edit- District 19: Pete Flores lost to Roland Gutierrez.
Predictions
editDespite the state's competitive elections for President and House of Representatives, analysts considered the Texas Senate extremely unlikely to flip control due to the small number of competitive seats up for election in 2020.
| Source | Ranking | As of |
|---|---|---|
| The Cook Political Report[5] | Likely R | October 21, 2020 |
| Sabato's Crystal Ball[6] | Safe R | May 7, 2020 |
Results summary
edit
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| Party | Candidates | Votes | Seats | |||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| No. | % | Before | Up | Won | After | +/– | ||||||||
| Republican | 14 | 2,660,120 | 53.28 | 19 | 9 | 8 | 18 |  1
| ||||||
| Democratic | 15 | 2,226,640 | 44.59 | 12 | 7 | 8 | 13 |  1
| ||||||
| Libertarian | 4 | 57,147 | 1.14 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 
| ||||||
| Green | 1 | 49,202 | 0.99 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
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| Total | 4,993,109 | 100.00 | 31 | 16 | 16 | 31 |
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| Source: Texas Elections Results | ||||||||||||||
Close races
edit| District | Winner | Margin |
|---|---|---|
| District 19 | Democratic (flip) | 3.29% |
Summary of results by State Senate District
edit| State Senate District[7] | Incumbent | Party | Elected Senator | Party | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1st | Bryan Hughes | Rep | Bryan Hughes | Rep | ||
| 4th | Brandon Creighton | Rep | Brandon Creighton | Rep | ||
| 6th | Carol Alvarado | Dem | Carol Alvarado | Dem | ||
| 11th | Larry Taylor | Rep | Larry Taylor | Rep | ||
| 12th | Jane Nelson | Rep | Jane Nelson | Rep | ||
| 13th | Borris Miles | Dem | Borris Miles | Dem | ||
| 18th | Lois Kolkhorst | Rep | Lois Kolkhorst | Rep | ||
| 19th | Pete Flores | Rep | Roland Gutierrez | Dem | ||
| 20th | Juan Hinojosa | Dem | Juan Hinojosa | Dem | ||
| 21st | Judith Zaffirini | Dem | Judith Zaffirini | Dem | ||
| 22nd | Brian Birdwell | Rep | Brian Birdwell | Rep | ||
| 24th | Dawn Buckingham | Rep | Dawn Buckingham | Rep | ||
| 26th | Jose Menendez | Dem | Jose Menendez | Dem | ||
| 27th | Eddie Lucio Jr. | Dem | Eddie Lucio Jr. | Dem | ||
| 28th | Charles Perry | Rep | Charles Perry | Rep | ||
| 29th | José R. Rodríguez | Dem | Cesar Blanco | Dem | ||
| District | Democratic | Republican | Others | Total | Result | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Votes | % | Votes | % | Votes | % | Votes | % | ||
| District 1 | 87,885 | 24.74% | 267,404 | 75.26% | - | - | 355,289 | 100.00% | Republican hold |
| District 4 | 113,050 | 30.19% | 281,105 | 67.35% | 10,277 | 2.46% | 417,401 | 100.00% | Republican hold |
| District 6 | 137,895 | 84.05% | - | - | 26,166 | 15.95% | 164,061 | 100.00% | Democratic hold |
| District 11 | 148,225 | 38.10% | 231,268 | 59.45% | 9,519 | 2.45% | 389,012 | 100.00% | Republican hold |
| District 12 | 177,610 | 37.71% | 293,399 | 62.29% | - | - | 471,009 | 100.00% | Republican hold |
| District 13 | 200,195 | 80.47% | 48,581 | 19.53% | - | - | 248,776 | 100.00% | Democratic hold |
| District 18 | 144,489 | 34.21% | 277,872 | 65.79% | - | - | 422,289 | 100.00% | Republican hold |
| District 19 | 158,726 | 49.85% | 148,213 | 46.55% | 11,465 | 3.60% | 318,404 | 100.00% | Democratic gain |
| District 20 | 154,311 | 58.48% | 109,563 | 41.52% | - | - | 263,874 | 100.00% | Democratic hold |
| District 21 | 167,672 | 60.14% | 111,142 | 39.86% | - | - | 278,814 | 100.00% | Democratic hold |
| District 22 | 118,538 | 31.55% | 257,208 | 68.45% | - | - | 375,746 | 100.00% | Republican hold |
| District 24 | 115,853 | 30.46% | 264,517 | 69.54% | - | - | 380,370 | 100.00% | Republican hold |
| District 26 | 199,829 | 79.99% | - | - | 50,004 | 20.01% | 249,833 | 100.00% | Democratic hold |
| District 27 | 134,035 | 64.81% | 72,768 | 35.19% | - | - | 206,803 | 100.00% | Democratic hold |
| District 28 | - | - | 248,025 | 100.00% | - | - | 248,025 | 100.00% | Republican hold |
| District 29 | 176,360 | 67.32% | 85,619 | 32.68% | - | - | 261,979 | 100.00% | Democratic hold |
| Total | 2,234,673 | 44.24% | 2,696,684 | 53.38% | 107,431 | 2.13% | 5,051,685 | 100.00% | Source:[8] |
Detailed results by State Senate District
edit|
District 1 • District 4 • District 6 • District 11 • District 12 • District 13 • District 18 • District 19 • District 20 • District 21 • District 22 • District 24 • District 26 • District 27 • District 28 • District 29 |
District 1
editRepublican primary
edit| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Bryan Hughes (incumbent) | 99,356 | 100.0% | |
| Total votes | 99,356 | 100.0% | ||
Democratic primary
edit| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Audrey Spanko | 29,162 | 100.0% | |
| Total votes | 29,162 | 100.0% | ||
General election
edit| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Bryan Hughes (incumbent) | 267,404 | 75.26% | |
| Democratic | Audrey Spanko | 87,885 | 24.74% | |
| Total votes | 355,289 | 100.00 | ||
| Republican hold | ||||
District 4
editRepublican primary
edit| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Brandon Creighton (incumbent) | 76,775 | 100.0% | |
| Total votes | 76,775 | 100.0% | ||
Democratic primary
edit| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Jay Stittleburg | 37,848 | 100.0% | |
| Total votes | 37,848 | 100.0% | ||
General election
edit| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Brandon Creighton (incumbent) | 281,105 | 67.35% | |
| Democratic | Jay Stittleburg | 126,019 | 30.19% | |
| Libertarian | Cameron Brock | 10,277 | 2.46% | |
| Total votes | 417,401 | 100.00% | ||
| Republican hold | ||||
District 6
editDemocratic primary
edit| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Carol Alvarado (incumbent) | 31,938 | 100.0% | |
| Total votes | 31,938 | 100.0% | ||
General election
edit| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Carol Alvarado (incumbent) | 137,895 | 84.05% | |
| Libertarian | Timothy Duffield | 26,166 | 15.95% | |
| Total votes | 164,061 | 100.00% | ||
| Democratic hold | ||||
District 11
editRepublican primary
edit| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Larry Taylor (incumbent) | 63,378 | 100.0% | |
| Total votes | 63,378 | 100.0% | ||
Democratic primary
edit| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Susan Criss | 26,155 | 53.0% | |
| Democratic | Margarita Ruiz Johnson | 23,188 | 47.0% | |
| Total votes | 49,343 | 100.0% | ||
General election
edit| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Larry Taylor (incumbent) | 231,268 | 59.45% | |
| Democratic | Susan Criss | 148,225 | 38.10% | |
| Libertarian | Jared Wissel | 9,519 | 2.45% | |
| Total votes | 389,012 | 100.00% | ||
| Republican hold | ||||
District 12
editRepublican primary
edit| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Jane Nelson (incumbent) | 63,061 | 100.0% | |
| Total votes | 63,061 | 100.0% | ||
Democratic primary
edit| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Shadi Zitoon | 32,831 | 57.5% | |
| Democratic | Randy Daniels | 24,291 | 42.5% | |
| Total votes | 57,122 | 100.0% | ||
General election
edit| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Jane Nelson (incumbent) | 293,399 | 62.29% | |
| Democratic | Shadi Zitoon | 177,610 | 37.71% | |
| Total votes | 471,009 | 100.00% | ||
| Republican hold | ||||
District 13
editDemocratic primary
edit| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Borris Miles (incumbent) | 36,514 | 55.4% | |
| Democratic | Melissa Morris | 22,840 | 34.7% | |
| Democratic | Richard Andrews | 6,525 | 9.9% | |
| Total votes | 65,879 | 100.0% | ||
Republican primary
edit| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Milinda Morris | 5,363 | 65.0% | |
| Republican | William Booher | 2,884 | 35.0% | |
| Total votes | 8,247 | 100.0% | ||
General election
edit| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Borris Miles (incumbent) | 200,195 | 80.47% | |
| Republican | Milinda Morris | 48,581 | 19.53% | |
| Total votes | 248,776 | 100.00% | ||
| Democratic hold | ||||
District 18
editRepublican primary
edit| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Lois Kolkhorst (incumbent) | 98,215 | 100.0% | |
| Total votes | 98,215 | 100.0% | ||
Democratic primary
edit| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Michael Antalan | 41,182 | 100.0% | |
| Total votes | 41,182 | 100.0% | ||
General election
edit| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Lois Kolkhorst (incumbent) | 277,872 | 65.79% | |
| Democratic | Michael Antalan | 144,489 | 34.21% | |
| Total votes | 422,361 | 100.00% | ||
| Republican hold | ||||
District 19
edit| | |||||||||||||||||
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 County results Gutierrez: 50–60% 60–70% Flores: 50–60% 60–70% 70–80% 80–90% | |||||||||||||||||
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Incumbent Republican Pete Flores, who was elected in an upset in a 2018 special election, ran for re-election. He was defeated by Democratic state representative Roland Gutierrez.[10]
Republican primary
edit| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Pete Flores (incumbent) | 35,526 | 100.0% | |
| Total votes | 35,526 | 100.0% | ||
Democratic primary
edit| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Xochil Pena Rodriguez | 30,821 | 43.9% | |
| Democratic | Roland Gutierrez | 26,550 | 37.8% | |
| Democratic | Freddy Ramirez | 12,808 | 18.3% | |
| Total votes | 70,179 | 100.0% | ||
Democratic primary runoff
edit| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Roland Gutierrez | 16,640 | 52.7% | |
| Democratic | Xochil Pena Rodriguez | 14,940 | 47.3% | |
| Total votes | 31,580 | 100.0% | ||
General election
edit| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Roland Gutierrez | 158,726 | 49.85% | |
| Republican | Pete Flores (incumbent) | 148,213 | 46.55% | |
| Libertarian | Jo-Anne Valvdivia | 11,465 | 3.60% | |
| Total votes | 318,404 | 100.00% | ||
| Democratic gain from Republican | ||||
District 20
editDemocratic primary
edit| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Juan Hinojosa (incumbent) | 55,410 | 100.0% | |
| Total votes | 55,410 | 100.0% | ||
Republican primary
edit| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Judith Cutright | 21,246 | 100.0% | |
| Total votes | 21,246 | 100.0% | ||
General election
edit| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Juan Hinojosa (incumbent) | 154,311 | 58.48% | |
| Republican | Judith Cutright | 109,563 | 41.52% | |
| Total votes | 263,874 | 100.00% | ||
| Democratic hold | ||||
District 21
editDemocratic primary
edit| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Judith Zaffirini (incumbent) | 70,443 | 100.0% | |
| Total votes | 70,443 | 100.0% | ||
Republican primary
edit| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Frank Pomeroy | 29,774 | 100.0% | |
| Total votes | 29,774 | 100.0% | ||
General election
edit| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Judith Zaffirini (incumbent) | 167,672 | 60.14% | |
| Republican | Frank Pomeroy | 111,142 | 39.86% | |
| Total votes | 278,814 | 100.00% | ||
| Democratic hold | ||||
District 22
editRepublican primary
edit| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Brian Birdwell (incumbent) | 89,609 | 100.0% | |
| Total votes | 89,609 | 100.0% | ||
Democratic primary
edit| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Robert Vick | 36,751 | 100.0% | |
| Total votes | 36,751 | 100.0% | ||
General election
edit| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Brian Birdwell (incumbent) | 257,208 | 68.45% | |
| Democratic | Robert Vick | 118,538 | 31.55% | |
| Total votes | 375,746 | 100.00% | ||
| Republican hold | ||||
District 24
editRepublican primary
edit| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Dawn Buckingham (incumbent) | 90,605 | 100.0% | |
| Total votes | 90,605 | 100.0% | ||
Democratic primary
edit| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Clayton Tucker | 39,280 | 100.0% | |
| Total votes | 39,280 | 100.0% | ||
General election
edit| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Dawn Buckingham (incumbent) | 264,517 | 69.54% | |
| Democratic | Clayton Tucker | 115,853 | 30.46% | |
| Total votes | 380,370 | 100.00% | ||
| Republican hold | ||||
District 26
editDemocratic primary
edit| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Jose Menendez (incumbent) | 67,062 | 100.0% | |
| Total votes | 67,062 | 100.0% | ||
General election
edit| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Jose Menendez (incumbent) | 199,829 | 79.99% | |
| Green | Julian Villarreal | 50,004 | 20.01% | |
| Total votes | 249,833 | 100.00% | ||
| Democratic hold | ||||
District 27
editDemocratic primary
edit| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Eddie Lucio Jr. (incumbent) | 31,046 | 49.8% | |
| Democratic | Sara Stapleton-Barrera | 22,221 | 35.6% | |
| Democratic | Ruben Cortez Jr. | 9,122 | 14.6% | |
| Total votes | 62,389 | 100.0% | ||
Democratic primary runoff
edit| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Eddie Lucio Jr. (incumbent) | 16,883 | 53.6% | |
| Democratic | Sara Stapleton-Barrera | 14,625 | 46.4% | |
| Total votes | 31,508 | 100.0% | ||
Republican primary
edit| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Vanessa Tijerina | 11,343 | 100.0% | |
| Total votes | 11,343 | 100.0% | ||
General election
edit| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Eddie Lucio Jr. (incumbent) | 134,035 | 64.81% | |
| Republican | Vanessa Tijerina | 72,768 | 35.19% | |
| Total votes | 206,803 | 100.00% | ||
| Democratic hold | ||||
District 28
editRepublican primary
edit| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Charles Perry (incumbent) | 90,762 | 100.0% | |
| Total votes | 90,762 | 100.0% | ||
General election
edit| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Charles Perry (incumbent) | 248,025 | 100.00% | |
| Total votes | 248,025 | 100.00% | ||
| Republican hold | ||||
District 29
editDemocratic primary
edit| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Cesar Blanco | 59,620 | 100.0% | |
| Total votes | 59,620 | 100.0% | ||
Republican primary
edit| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Bethany Hatch | 15,817 | 100.0% | |
| Total votes | 15,817 | 100.00% | ||
General election
edit| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Cesar Blanco | 176,360 | 67.32% | |
| Republican | Bethany Hatch | 85,619 | 32.68% | |
| Total votes | 261,979 | 100.00% | ||
| Democratic hold | ||||
Special elections
editDistrict 14
editThe seat for District 14 became vacant on April 30, 2020, after the resignation of Kirk Watson.[11] A special election was originally called for July 14, 2020. However, Eddie Rodriguez chose not to contest the resulting runoff, thus the scheduled runoff was canceled and Sarah Eckhardt was deemed elected.
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Sarah Eckhardt | 59,267 | 49.7% | |
| Democratic | Eddie Rodriguez | 40,384 | 33.8% | |
| Republican | Donald Zimmerman | 15,565 | 13.0% | |
| Republican | Waller Thomas Burns II | 1,442 | 1.2% | |
| Independent | Jeff Ridgeway | 1,386 | 1.2% | |
| Libertarian | Pat Dixon | 1,306 | 1.1% | |
| Total votes | 119,350 | 100.0% | ||
| Democratic hold | ||||
District 30
editA special election for Texas State Senate District 30 has been called for September 29, 2020. The candidate filing deadline was August 28, 2020. The seat became vacant after the resignation of Pat Fallon on August 23, 2020.
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Shelley Luther | 22,135 | 32.2% | |
| Republican | Drew Springer Jr. | 21,971 | 31.9% | |
| Democratic | Jacob Minter | 14,572 | 21.2% | |
| Republican | Christopher Watts | 4,284 | 6.2% | |
| Republican | Craig Carter | 3,413 | 5.0% | |
| Republican | Andy Hopper | 2,432 | 3.5% | |
| Total votes | 68,807 | 100.0% | ||
Runoff
edit| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Drew Springer Jr. | 32,599 | 56.45% | |
| Republican | Shelley Luther | 25,146 | 43.55% | |
| Total votes | 57,745 | 100.0% | ||
| Republican hold | ||||
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ "State Senate Districts, 86th Legislature, 2019-2020" (PDF). Texas Legislative Council. Archived from the original (PDF) on March 3, 2019. Retrieved April 5, 2022.
- ^ "Texas - State Legislative District Maps (Upper Chamber) - Geography". U.S. Census Bureau. Archived from the original on October 12, 2015. Retrieved April 5, 2022.
- ^ Svitek, Patrick (December 2, 2020). "On Election Day, Republicans lost a critical advantage in the state Senate. Will Dan Patrick push to change the rules?". The Texas Tribune. Retrieved June 8, 2024.
- ^ Samuels, Alex (January 14, 2021). "Texas Senate changes rules so Republicans can still bring bills to floor without Democratic support". The Texas Tribune. Retrieved June 8, 2024.
- ^ "October Overview: Handicapping the 2020 State Legislature Races". The Cook Political Report. Retrieved November 1, 2020.
- ^ Nuttycombe, Chaz (May 7, 2020). "The State of the States: The Legislatures". University of Virginia Center for Politics.
- ^ "Texas State Senate elections, 2020". Ballotpedia. Retrieved July 14, 2020.
- ^ "Election Night Results". Texas Secretary of State. Retrieved August 31, 2021.
- ^ "District 4 Election Results".
- ^ Rodriguez, Jakob; Marquez, RJ (October 30, 2020). "Election results 2020: Roland Gutierrez elected to Texas State Senate District 19 seat". KSAT. Retrieved June 6, 2024.
- ^ "State Sen. Kirk Watson to retire from Texas Senate". Texas Tribune. February 18, 2020. Retrieved June 17, 2020.
External links
edit- Elections Division at the Texas Secretary of State official website
- Texas Election Results
- Texas at Ballotpedia
- University of Texas Libraries, "Voting and Elections", Research Guides
- "League of Women Voters of Texas". (State affiliate of the U.S. League of Women Voters)
- Texas 2019 & 2020 Elections, OpenSecrets