| Elections in Texas |
|---|
 |
 Government |
The 1996 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 75th Texas Legislature. State representatives serve for two-year terms. Republicans gained five seats from the Democrats, reducing the Democratic majority to 82 out of 150 seats.
Background
Democrats had held control of the Texas House of Representatives since Reconstruction. After the 1994 elections, Republican governor George W. Bush appointed Democratic Representative Elton Bomer of the 11th district as the state insurance commissioner.[1] In the ensuing special election, Republican Todd Staples narrowly avoided a runoff, defeating two Democrats to flip the seat.[2] Later in 1995, Representative Warren Chisum of the 88th district switched from the Democratic Party to the Republican Party.[3]
Redistricting
Democrats had fully controlled the redistricting process in 1991, and Republicans sued over the Texas House's map. The courts partially overhauled the map as a result of these lawsuits.[4] Democrats codified the court's map into law in a January 1992 special session.[5] The 1995 lawsuit Thomas v. Bush further altered the maps, as the courts reached a settlement with the legislature to alter the several districts in Harris, Dallas, and Bexar Counties for the 1996 elections.[4][6][7]
Results
Despite having hopes of winning control of the chamber from the Democrats due to Texas's increasing Republican lean, Republicans only flipped five seats.[8][9]
Statewide
| ||||||||||||||
| Party | Candidates | Votes | % | Seats | +/– | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic Party | 100 | 2,015,951 | 44.18% | 82 |  5
| |||||||||
| Republican Party | 107 | 2,502,499 | 54.84% | 68 |  5
| |||||||||
| Natural Law Party | 8 | 23,023 | 0.50% | 0 | – | |||||||||
| Libertarian Party | 9 | 20,619 | 0.45% | 0 | – | |||||||||
| Independent | 1 | 673 | 0.01% | 0 | – | |||||||||
| Write-in | 1 | 345 | 0.01% | 0 | – | |||||||||
| Total | 4,563,110 | 100.00% | 150 | – | ||||||||||
Close races
- District 59, 0.04%
- District 9, 1.04% (gain)
- District 60, 1.18% (gain)
- District 32, 2.00% (gain)
- District 138, 2.02%
- District 70, 2.30%
- District 17, 2.62%
- District 54, 5.58% (gain)
- District 4, 5.76%
- District 20, 6.06%
- District 29, 6.88% (tipping-point district)
- District 58, 7.84%
- District 62, 7.88% (gain)
- District 28, 9.76%
Results by district
| District | Democratic | Republican | Others | Total | Result | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Votes | % | Votes | % | Votes | % | Votes | % | ||
| District 1 | 24,728 | 63.77% | 14,050 | 36.23% | - | - | 38,778 | 100.00% | Democratic hold |
| District 2 | 26,553 | 100.00% | - | - | - | - | 26,553 | 100.00% | Democratic hold |
| District 3 | 26,303 | 100.00% | - | - | - | - | 26,303 | 100.00% | Democratic hold |
| District 4 | 20,604 | 52.88% | 18,362 | 47.12% | - | - | 38,966 | 100.00% | Democratic hold |
| District 5 | 20,972 | 59.49% | 14,279 | 40.51% | - | - | 35,251 | 100.00% | Democratic hold |
| District 6 | - | - | 23,440 | 100.00% | - | - | 23,440 | 100.00% | Republican hold |
| District 7 | - | - | 26,351 | 100.00% | - | - | 26,351 | 100.00% | Republican hold |
| District 8 | 26,364 | 61.10% | 16,783 | 38.90% | - | - | 43,147 | 100.00% | Democratic hold |
| District 9 | 20,549 | 49.48% | 20,979 | 50.52% | - | - | 41,528 | 100.00% | Republican gain |
| District 10 | - | - | 27,012 | 100.00% | - | - | 27,012 | 100.00% | Republican hold |
| District 11 | 15,605 | 43.82% | 20,004 | 56.18% | - | - | 35,609 | 100.00% | Republican hold |
| District 12 | 25,437 | 63.93% | 14,354 | 36.07% | - | - | 39,791 | 100.00% | Democratic hold |
| District 13 | 23,370 | 59.45% | 15,942 | 40.55% | - | - | 39,312 | 100.00% | Democratic hold |
| District 14 | - | - | 24,402 | 100.00% | - | - | 24,402 | 100.00% | Republican hold |
| District 15 | 15,431 | 31.05% | 34,264 | 68.95% | - | - | 49,695 | 100.00% | Republican hold |
| District 16 | - | - | 32,061 | 100.00% | - | - | 32,061 | 100.00% | Republican hold |
| District 17 | 20,976 | 51.31% | 19,906 | 48.69% | - | - | 40,882 | 100.00% | Democratic hold |
| District 18 | 24,483 | 60.15% | 16,223 | 39.85% | - | - | 40,706 | 100.00% | Democratic hold |
| District 19 | 26,685 | 68.97% | 12,004 | 31.03% | - | - | 38,689 | 100.00% | Democratic hold |
| District 20 | 22,059 | 53.03% | 19,537 | 46.97% | - | - | 41,596 | 100.00% | Democratic hold |
| District 21 | 33,377 | 87.59% | - | - | 4,728 | 12.41% | 38,105 | 100.00% | Democratic hold |
| District 22 | 25,034 | 100.00% | - | - | - | - | 25,034 | 100.00% | Democratic hold |
| District 23 | 21,582 | 57.74% | 15,796 | 42.26% | - | - | 37,378 | 100.00% | Democratic hold |
| District 24 | 25,503 | 100.00% | - | - | - | - | 25,503 | 100.00% | Democratic hold |
| District 25 | 14,315 | 33.06% | 28,981 | 66.94% | - | - | 43,296 | 100.00% | Republican hold |
| District 26 | - | - | 41,931 | 86.06% | 6,790 | 13.94% | 48,721 | 100.00% | Republican hold |
| District 27 | 20,503 | 60.46% | 13,411 | 39.54% | - | - | 33,914 | 100.00% | Democratic hold |
| District 28 | 22,078 | 54.88% | 18,154 | 45.12% | - | - | 40,232 | 100.00% | Democratic hold |
| District 29 | 17,041 | 53.44% | 14,850 | 46.56% | - | - | 31,891 | 100.00% | Democratic hold |
| District 30 | - | - | 25,894 | 100.00% | - | - | 25,894 | 100.00% | Republican hold |
| District 31 | 25,296 | 70.52% | 10,577 | 29.48% | - | - | 35,873 | 100.00% | Democratic hold |
| District 32 | 21,818 | 49.00% | 22,704 | 51.00% | - | - | 44,522 | 100.00% | Republican gain |
| District 33 | 24,800 | 100.00% | - | - | - | - | 24,800 | 100.00% | Democratic hold |
| District 34 | 22,924 | 100.00% | - | - | - | - | 22,924 | 100.00% | Democratic hold |
| District 35 | 22,859 | 100.00% | - | - | - | - | 22,859 | 100.00% | Democratic hold |
| District 36 | 14,009 | 61.32% | 8,835 | 38.68% | - | - | 22,844 | 100.00% | Democratic hold |
| District 37 | 13,034 | 69.43% | 5,740 | 30.57% | - | - | 18,774 | 100.00% | Democratic hold |
| District 38 | 15,529 | 100.00% | - | - | - | - | 15,529 | 100.00% | Democratic hold |
| District 39 | 14,768 | 100.00% | - | - | - | - | 14,768 | 100.00% | Democratic hold |
| District 40 | 15,816 | 71.28% | 6,371 | 28.72% | - | - | 22,187 | 100.00% | Democratic hold |
| District 41 | 15,112 | 66.35% | 7,664 | 33.65% | - | - | 22,776 | 100.00% | Democratic hold |
| District 42 | 19,019 | 100.00% | - | - | - | - | 19,019 | 100.00% | Democratic hold |
| District 43 | 24,766 | 100.00% | - | - | - | - | 24,766 | 100.00% | Democratic hold |
| District 44 | 26,492 | 100.00% | - | - | - | - | 26,492 | 100.00% | Democratic hold |
| District 45 | - | - | 37,524 | 88.69% | 4,784 | 11.31% | 42,308 | 100.00% | Republican hold |
| District 46 | 20,856 | 56.37% | 16,140 | 43.63% | - | - | 36,996 | 100.00% | Democratic hold |
| District 47 | 22,106 | 29.34% | 51,953 | 68.95% | 1,287 | 1.71% | 75,346 | 100.00% | Republican hold |
| District 48 | 34,850 | 100.00% | - | - | - | - | 34,850 | 100.00% | Democratic hold |
| District 49 | 28,137 | 63.18% | 16,399 | 36.82% | - | - | 44,536 | 100.00% | Democratic hold |
| District 50 | 27,240 | 100.00% | - | - | - | - | 27,240 | 100.00% | Democratic hold |
| District 51 | 21,300 | 71.80% | 7,113 | 23.98% | 1,254 | 4.23% | 29,667 | 100.00% | Democratic hold |
| District 52 | 19,809 | 38.42% | 31,752 | 61.58% | - | - | 51,561 | 100.00% | Republican hold |
| District 53 | 15,515 | 27.29% | 41,347 | 72.71% | - | - | 56,862 | 100.00% | Republican hold |
| District 54 | 15,757 | 47.21% | 17,620 | 52.79% | - | - | 33,377 | 100.00% | Republican gain |
| District 55 | - | - | 22,829 | 100.00% | - | - | 22,829 | 100.00% | Republican hold |
| District 56 | - | - | 29,981 | 100.00% | - | - | 29,981 | 100.00% | Republican hold |
| District 57 | 18,245 | 58.58% | 12,901 | 41.42% | - | - | 31,146 | 100.00% | Democratic gain |
| District 58 | 18,364 | 46.08% | 21,487 | 53.92% | - | - | 39,851 | 100.00% | Republican hold |
| District 59 | 15,399 | 49.60% | 15,387 | 49.56% | 263 | 0.85% | 31,049 | 100.00% | Democratic hold |
| District 60 | 21,409 | 49.41% | 21,922 | 50.59% | - | - | 43,331 | 100.00% | Republican gain |
| District 61 | - | - | 32,821 | 100.00% | - | - | 32,821 | 100.00% | Republican hold |
| District 62 | 18,718 | 46.06% | 21,920 | 53.94% | - | - | 40,638 | 100.00% | Republican gain |
| District 63 | - | - | 36,418 | 100.00% | - | - | 36,418 | 100.00% | Republican hold |
| District 64 | - | - | 36,830 | 100.00% | - | - | 36,830 | 100.00% | Republican hold |
| District 65 | - | - | 28,495 | 100.00% | - | - | 28,495 | 100.00% | Republican hold |
| District 66 | - | - | 48,127 | 100.00% | - | - | 48,127 | 100.00% | Republican hold |
| District 67 | - | - | 33,026 | 100.00% | - | - | 33,026 | 100.00% | Republican hold |
| District 68 | 26,245 | 100.00% | - | - | - | - | 26,245 | 100.00% | Democratic hold |
| District 69 | 25,912 | 100.00% | - | - | - | - | 25,912 | 100.00% | Democratic hold |
| District 70 | 17,834 | 51.15% | 17,035 | 48.85% | - | - | 34,869 | 100.00% | Democratic hold |
| District 71 | - | - | 30,683 | 100.00% | - | - | 30,683 | 100.00% | Republican hold |
| District 72 | 28,102 | 100.00% | - | - | - | - | 28,102 | 100.00% | Democratic hold |
| District 73 | 29,711 | 100.00% | - | - | - | - | 29,711 | 100.00% | Democratic hold |
| District 74 | 22,994 | 100.00% | - | - | - | - | 22,994 | 100.00% | Democratic hold |
| District 75 | 15,895 | 68.21% | 7,409 | 31.79% | - | - | 23,304 | 100.00% | Democratic hold |
| District 76 | 22,848 | 100.00% | - | - | - | - | 22,848 | 100.00% | Democratic hold |
| District 77 | 16,839 | 100.00% | - | - | - | - | 16,839 | 100.00% | Democratic hold |
| District 78 | - | - | 26,860 | 100.00% | - | - | 26,860 | 100.00% | Republican hold |
| District 79 | 18,723 | 100.00% | - | - | - | - | 18,723 | 100.00% | Democratic hold |
| District 80 | - | - | 21,169 | 100.00% | - | - | 21,169 | 100.00% | Republican hold |
| District 81 | - | - | 23,967 | 100.00% | - | - | 23,967 | 100.00% | Republican hold |
| District 82 | - | - | 30,771 | 100.00% | - | - | 30,771 | 100.00% | Republican hold |
| District 83 | - | - | 18,119 | 83.00% | 3,711 | 17.00% | 21,830 | 100.00% | Republican hold |
| District 84 | 19,158 | 42.07% | 26,385 | 57.93% | - | - | 45,543 | 100.00% | Republican hold |
| District 85 | 20,813 | 64.58% | 11,417 | 35.42% | - | - | 32,230 | 100.00% | Democratic hold |
| District 86 | - | - | 38,216 | 100.00% | - | - | 38,216 | 100.00% | Republican hold |
| District 87 | - | - | 23,050 | 100.00% | - | - | 23,050 | 100.00% | Republican hold |
| District 88 | - | - | 32,115 | 100.00% | - | - | 32,115 | 100.00% | Republican hold |
| District 89 | 15,643 | 44.87% | 19,218 | 55.13% | - | - | 34,861 | 100.00% | Republican gain |
| District 90 | 16,015 | 100.00% | - | - | - | - | 16,015 | 100.00% | Democratic hold |
| District 91 | - | - | 29,998 | 100.00% | - | - | 29,998 | 100.00% | Republican hold |
| District 92 | - | - | 30,953 | 100.00% | - | - | 30,953 | 100.00% | Republican hold |
| District 93 | - | - | 21,064 | 100.00% | - | - | 21,064 | 100.00% | Republican hold |
| District 94 | - | - | 32,685 | 88.73% | 4,150 | 11.27% | 36,835 | 100.00% | Republican hold |
| District 95 | 26,796 | 100.00% | - | - | - | - | 26,796 | 100.00% | Democratic hold |
| District 96 | - | - | 32,553 | 100.00% | - | - | 32,553 | 100.00% | Republican hold |
| District 97 | - | - | 38,701 | 100.00% | - | - | 38,701 | 100.00% | Republican hold |
| District 98 | - | - | 38,901 | 100.00% | - | - | 38,901 | 100.00% | Republican hold |
| District 99 | - | - | 32,764 | 100.00% | - | - | 32,764 | 100.00% | Republican hold |
| District 100 | 17,296 | 68.58% | 7,392 | 29.31% | 532 | 2.11% | 25,220 | 100.00% | Democratic hold |
| District 101 | - | - | 24,153 | 100.00% | - | - | 24,153 | 100.00% | Republican hold |
| District 102 | - | - | 28,269 | 100.00% | - | - | 28,269 | 100.00% | Republican hold |
| District 103 | 13,340 | 100.00% | - | - | - | - | 13,340 | 100.00% | Democratic hold |
| District 104 | 10,086 | 72.35% | 3,854 | 27.65% | - | - | 13,940 | 100.00% | Democratic hold |
| District 105 | 14,305 | 61.81% | 8,167 | 35.29% | 673 | 2.91% | 23,145 | 100.00% | Democratic hold |
| District 106 | 13,001 | 40.92% | 18,774 | 59.08% | - | - | 31,775 | 100.00% | Republican hold |
| District 107 | 16,238 | 58.06% | 10,795 | 38.60% | 933 | 3.34% | 27,966 | 100.00% | Democratic hold |
| District 108 | 12,282 | 24.27% | 37,357 | 73.81% | 972 | 1.92% | 50,611 | 100.00% | Republican hold |
| District 109 | 23,589 | 100.00% | - | - | - | - | 23,589 | 100.00% | Democratic hold |
| District 110 | 26,899 | 92.91% | - | - | 2,053 | 7.09% | 28,952 | 100.00% | Democratic hold |
| District 111 | 24,761 | 100.00% | - | - | - | - | 24,761 | 100.00% | Democratic hold |
| District 112 | - | - | 28,493 | 100.00% | - | - | 28,493 | 100.00% | Republican hold |
| District 113 | - | - | 27,414 | 100.00% | - | - | 27,414 | 100.00% | Republican hold |
| District 114 | - | - | 31,172 | 88.34% | 4,116 | 11.66% | 35,288 | 100.00% | Republican hold |
| District 115 | 18,276 | 100.00% | - | - | - | - | 18,276 | 100.00% | Democratic hold |
| District 116 | 17,858 | 70.15% | 7,598 | 29.85% | - | - | 25,456 | 100.00% | Democratic hold |
| District 117 | 15,313 | 100.00% | - | - | - | - | 15,313 | 100.00% | Democratic hold |
| District 118 | 18,294 | 100.00% | - | - | - | - | 18,294 | 100.00% | Democratic hold |
| District 119 | 20,556 | 100.00% | - | - | - | - | 20,556 | 100.00% | Democratic hold |
| District 120 | 19,393 | 98.25% | - | - | 345 | 1.75% | 19,738 | 100.00% | Democratic hold |
| District 121 | 14,359 | 33.77% | 28,161 | 66.23% | - | - | 42,520 | 100.00% | Republican hold |
| District 122 | - | - | 40,113 | 100.00% | - | - | 40,113 | 100.00% | Republican hold |
| District 123 | - | - | 36,908 | 100.00% | - | - | 36,908 | 100.00% | Republican hold |
| District 124 | 22,083 | 100.00% | - | - | - | - | 22,083 | 100.00% | Democratic hold |
| District 125 | 17,734 | 61.12% | 11,282 | 38.88% | - | - | 29,016 | 100.00% | Democratic hold |
| District 126 | - | - | 38,398 | 100.00% | - | - | 38,398 | 100.00% | Republican hold |
| District 127 | - | - | 32,464 | 100.00% | - | - | 32,464 | 100.00% | Republican hold |
| District 128 | 15,989 | 100.00% | - | - | - | - | 15,989 | 100.00% | Democratic hold |
| District 129 | - | - | 35,097 | 100.00% | - | - | 35,097 | 100.00% | Republican hold |
| District 130 | - | - | 40,078 | 100.00% | - | - | 40,078 | 100.00% | Republican hold |
| District 131 | 22,492 | 100.00% | - | - | - | - | 22,492 | 100.00% | Democratic hold |
| District 132 | 24,242 | 63.88% | 13,705 | 36.12% | - | - | 37,947 | 100.00% | Democratic hold |
| District 133 | - | - | 34,615 | 100.00% | - | - | 34,615 | 100.00% | Republican hold |
| District 134 | - | - | 22,048 | 100.00% | - | - | 22,048 | 100.00% | Republican hold |
| District 135 | - | - | 32,580 | 100.00% | - | - | 32,580 | 100.00% | Republican hold |
| District 136 | - | - | 36,205 | 92.42% | 2,969 | 7.58% | 39,174 | 100.00% | Republican hold |
| District 137 | 17,868 | 64.73% | 9,737 | 35.27% | - | - | 27,605 | 100.00% | Democratic hold |
| District 138 | 14,548 | 51.01% | 13,971 | 48.99% | - | - | 28,519 | 100.00% | Democratic hold |
| District 139 | 17,194 | 100.00% | - | - | - | - | 17,194 | 100.00% | Democratic hold |
| District 140 | 12,153 | 100.00% | - | - | - | - | 12,153 | 100.00% | Democratic hold |
| District 141 | 23,187 | 100.00% | - | - | - | - | 23,187 | 100.00% | Democratic hold |
| District 142 | 21,397 | 100.00% | - | - | - | - | 21,397 | 100.00% | Democratic hold |
| District 143 | 13,255 | 72.16% | 5,113 | 27.84% | - | - | 18,368 | 100.00% | Democratic hold |
| District 144 | 10,860 | 36.17% | 18,372 | 61.19% | 794 | 2.64% | 30,026 | 100.00% | Republican hold |
| District 145 | 11,186 | 70.86% | 4,601 | 29.14% | - | - | 15,787 | 100.00% | Democratic hold |
| District 146 | 24,817 | 72.98% | 9,189 | 27.02% | - | - | 34,006 | 100.00% | Democratic hold |
| District 147 | 19,425 | 100.00% | - | - | - | - | 19,425 | 100.00% | Democratic hold |
| District 148 | 14,648 | 100.00% | - | - | - | - | 14,648 | 100.00% | Democratic hold |
| District 149 | - | - | 19,119 | 81.62% | 4,306 | 18.38% | 23,425 | 100.00% | Republican hold |
| District 150 | - | - | 30,419 | 100.00% | - | - | 30,419 | 100.00% | Republican hold |
| Total | 2,015,951 | 44.18% | 2,502,499 | 54,84% | 44,660 | 0.98% | 4,563,110 | 100.00% | |
References
- ^ Stutz, Terrence (January 4, 1995). "Bush picks Democrat to insurance post Rep. Bomer named; interim official urged to delay hearing on anti-bias rules". The Dallas Morning News. pp. 1A. ProQuest 282959002. Retrieved June 4, 2023.
- ^ "Republican wins District 11 seat in special vote". Houston Chronicle. February 13, 1995. p. 15.
- ^ Attlesey, Sam (June 27, 1995). "Laughlin, tops list of converts to GOP He says switch is about principles". The Dallas Morning News. pp. 11A. ProQuest 282875840. Retrieved June 4, 2023.
- ^ a b "History". redistricting.capitol.texas.gov. Retrieved March 16, 2023.
- ^ Bickerstaff, Steve (2020). Heath, C. Robert (ed.). Gerrymandering Texas. Lubbock, Texas: Texas Tech University Press. p. 124. ISBN 978-1-68283-073-4.
- ^ Bickerstaff, Heath 2020, p. 127
- ^ Ratcliffe, R.G. (September 16, 1995). "Temporary redistricting plan OK'd/Order to affect elections in 1996". The Houston Chronicle. p. 32.
- ^ Knaggs, John (November 11, 1995). "Republicans see chance of Legislature control". Austin American Statesman. pp. A. 13. Retrieved June 17, 2023.
- ^ "1996 General Election". elections.sos.state.tx.us. November 5, 1996. Retrieved June 5, 2023.