Elections to the Texas Senate will be held on November 5, 2024, for 15 of the 31 Senate districts across the state of Texas. Numerous other federal, state, and local elections will also be 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.
Primary elections will be held on March 5, 2024, and any necessary runoffs will be held on May 28.[1]
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.[3][4][5] 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.[6] On May 27, 2023, the House voted 121–23 to impeach attorney generalKen Paxton after a House committee found that he had used taxpayer funds to settle a legal dispute.[7][8][9] The Senate voted to acquit him of all charges in September 2023.[10] Republicans Kelly Hancock and Robert Nichols voted in favor of 13 articles each, with all other Republican senators voting against all of them. Neither senator is up for re-election until 2026.[11][12]
District 15: John Whitmire (D) was elected Mayor of Houston in 2023 and resigned from the Senate on December 31, 2023.[15] A special election to fill his unexpired term is scheduled to be held on May 4, 2024.[16]
Campaign
Democrat Nathan Johnson is the only incumbent senator being challenged in the primary elections.[17] Republican Drew Springer's retirement and Democrat John Whitmire's resignation have created open races for their seats.[13][15] Democrat Morgan LaMantia is the only senator expected to face a competitive general election.[18]
Former Senator, Democrat John Whitmire was elected Mayor of Houston in 2023 and resigned from this seat, creating a vacancy.[15] A special election to fill his unexpired term is scheduled to be held on May 4, 2024.[16] Democratic candidates included State Representative Jarvis Johnson, Molly Cook, Todd Litton, Michelle Bonton, Beto Cardenas, and Karthik Soora,
Incumbent Democrat Morgan LaMantia is running for re-election. She faces a rematch against Republican Adam Hinojosa, whom she narrowly defeated in 2022.[21][22] This race is the only one in the state expected to have a competitive general election.[18]
Government