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Texas State Senate District 15
Texas State Senate District 15 is represented by Molly Cook (D).
As of the 2020 Census, Texas state senators represented an average of 941,396 residents. After the 2010 Census, each member represented 815,110 residents.
About the office
Members of the Texas State Senate serve four-year terms and are not subject to term limits. Texas legislators assume office at the beginning of the legislative session, which starts at noon on the second Tuesday in January in the year after the election.[1][2]
One-half of the Senate membership is elected every two years in even-numbered years, with the exception that all 31 Senate seats are up for election for the first legislature following the decennial census in order to reflect the newly redrawn districts. After the initial election, the Senate is divided by lot into two classes, with one class having a re-election after two years and the other having a re-election after four years.[3]
Qualifications
To be eligible to serve in the Texas State Senate, a candidate must be:[4]
- A U.S. citizen
- A qualified elector
- 26 years old before the general election
- A five-year resident of Texas before the general election
- A district resident for one year prior to the general election
Salaries
- See also: Comparison of state legislative salaries
| State legislative salaries, 2024[5] | |
|---|---|
| Salary | Per diem |
| $7,200/year | $221/day |
Vacancies
If there is a vacancy in the Texas State Legislature, the governor must call a special election to fill the vacant seat.[6] A governor's proclamation to hold a special election must be delivered to county judges in the legislative district no later than 36 days before the scheduled election.[7]
The secretary of state can declare a candidate duly elected in a special election if there is no opposition.[8]
See sources: Texas Elec. Code § 203.001 et. seq.
District map
Redistricting
- See also: Redistricting in Texas
In Texas, both congressional and state legislative district boundaries are drawn by the Texas State Legislature. These lines are subject to veto by the governor.[9]
If the state legislature is unable to approve a state legislative redistricting plan, a backup commission must draw the lines (the backup commission is not involved in congressional redistricting). This backup commission, established in 1948, comprises the following members:[9]
- Lieutenant governor
- Speaker of the Texas House of Representatives
- Attorney general
- State comptroller
- Commissioner of the General Land Office
The Texas Constitution requires that state legislative districts be contiguous and "that they preserve whole counties when population mandates permit."[9]
2020-2023
Texas renewed its state legislative district boundaries in June 2023 for use in 2024 and until the 2030 census. These districts were the same as those enacted by the state in October 2021. Gov. Greg Abbott (R) signed HB 1000 — establishing state House district boundaries — on June 12, 2023, and he allowed SB 375 — establishing state Senate district boundaries — to become law without his signature on June 18, 2023.[10][11]
The Texas Tribune's James Barragan wrote in January 2023 that Senate Legislative Redistricting Committee Chairwoman Joan Huffman (R) said the state was re-doing the redistricting process "to ensure that Legislature had met its constitutional requirement to apportion districts in the first regular session after the publishing of the results of the federal census, which is done every 10 years. Because of the pandemic, census numbers were not released until after the end of the last regularly scheduled legislative session on May 31, 2021. Redistricted maps were passed in a subsequent special session that year."[12] Texas had originally enacted new state legislative districts on October 25, 2021.
Below are the maps in effect before and after the 2020 redistricting cycle. The map on the right was in effect for Texas' 2024 state legislative elections.
Texas State Senate District 15
until January 9, 2023
Click a district to compare boundaries.
Texas State Senate District 15
starting January 10, 2023
Click a district to compare boundaries.
Elections
2024
Special
A special general election for Texas State Senate District 15 was called for May 4, 2024. The filing deadline passed on March 4, 2024.[13]
The seat became vacant after John Whitmire (D) resigned following his election as Mayor of Houston.
General election
Special general election for Texas State Senate District 15
Molly Cook defeated Jarvis Johnson in the special general election for Texas State Senate District 15 on May 4, 2024.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ |  | Molly Cook (D) | 57.1 | 9,370 |
 | Jarvis Johnson (D) | 42.9 | 7,052 | |
| Total votes: 16,422 | |||
 = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
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Withdrawn or disqualified candidates
- Michelle Bonton (D)
- Todd Litton (D)
- Alberto Cardenas Jr. (D)
Regular
See also: Texas State Senate elections, 2024
General election
General election for Texas State Senate District 15
Incumbent Molly Cook defeated Joseph L. Trahan in the general election for Texas State Senate District 15 on November 5, 2024.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Molly Cook (D) | 61.9 | 200,680 |
 | Joseph L. Trahan (R) | 38.1 | 123,515 | |
| Total votes: 324,195 | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team. | ||||
Democratic primary runoff election
Democratic primary runoff for Texas State Senate District 15
Incumbent Molly Cook defeated Jarvis Johnson in the Democratic primary runoff for Texas State Senate District 15 on May 28, 2024.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Molly Cook | 50.2 | 9,506 |
| Jarvis Johnson | 49.8 | 9,444 | |
| Total votes: 18,950 | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team. | ||||
Democratic primary election
Democratic primary for Texas State Senate District 15
The following candidates ran in the Democratic primary for Texas State Senate District 15 on March 5, 2024.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Jarvis Johnson | 36.2 | 17,953 |
| ✔ | | Molly Cook | 20.6 | 10,213 |
 | Todd Litton | 15.8 | 7,859 | |
 | Michelle Bonton | 10.7 | 5,291 | |
 | Alberto Cardenas Jr. | 10.5 | 5,196 | |
 | Karthik Soora | 6.2 | 3,091 | |
| Total votes: 49,603 | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team. | ||||
Republican primary election
Republican primary for Texas State Senate District 15
Joseph L. Trahan advanced from the Republican primary for Texas State Senate District 15 on March 5, 2024.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Joseph L. Trahan | 100.0 | 23,627 |
| Total votes: 23,627 | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team. | ||||
2022
- See also: Texas State Senate elections, 2022
General election
General election for Texas State Senate District 15
Incumbent John Whitmire defeated George Vachris in the general election for Texas State Senate District 15 on November 8, 2022.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ |  | John Whitmire (D) | 65.3 | 159,125 |
 | George Vachris (R) | 34.7 | 84,437 | |
| Total votes: 243,562 | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team. | ||||
Democratic primary election
Democratic primary for Texas State Senate District 15
Incumbent John Whitmire defeated Molly Cook in the Democratic primary for Texas State Senate District 15 on March 1, 2022.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | John Whitmire | 58.4 | 26,286 |
| Molly Cook | 41.6 | 18,695 | |
| Total votes: 44,981 | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team. | ||||
Republican primary election
Republican primary for Texas State Senate District 15
George Vachris advanced from the Republican primary for Texas State Senate District 15 on March 1, 2022.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | George Vachris | 100.0 | 23,261 |
| Total votes: 23,261 | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team. | ||||
2018
- See also: Texas State Senate elections, 2018
General election
General election for Texas State Senate District 15
Incumbent John Whitmire defeated Randy Orr and Gilberto Velasquez Jr. in the general election for Texas State Senate District 15 on November 6, 2018.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | John Whitmire (D) | 65.2 | 153,016 |
 | Randy Orr (R) | 32.2 | 75,518 | |
| Gilberto Velasquez Jr. (L) | 2.7 | 6,229 | ||
| Total votes: 234,763 | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team. | ||||
Democratic primary election
Democratic primary for Texas State Senate District 15
Incumbent John Whitmire defeated Damian Lacroix and Hank Segelke in the Democratic primary for Texas State Senate District 15 on March 6, 2018.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | John Whitmire | 74.9 | 27,220 |
| Damian Lacroix | 17.9 | 6,506 | ||
 | Hank Segelke | 7.2 | 2,609 | |
| Total votes: 36,335 | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team. | ||||
Republican primary election
Republican primary for Texas State Senate District 15
Randy Orr advanced from the Republican primary for Texas State Senate District 15 on March 6, 2018.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Randy Orr | 100.0 | 17,057 |
| Total votes: 17,057 | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team. | ||||
2014
- See also: Texas State Senate elections, 2014
Elections for 15 of the 31 seats in the Texas State Senate took place in 2014. A primary election took place on March 4, 2014. The general election was held on November 4, 2014. The signature filing deadline for candidates wishing to run in these elections was December 9, 2013. Ron Hale was unopposed in the Republican primary, while incumbent John Whitmire defeated Damian LaCroix in the Democratic primary. Whitmire defeated Hale in the general election. Gilberto Velasquez, Jr. was running as a Libertarian candidate.[14][15][16][17]
| Party | Candidate | Vote % | Votes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic |  John Whitmire Incumbent |
59.2% | 74,192 | |
| Republican | Ron Hale | 38.5% | 48,249 | |
| Libertarian | Gilberto Velasquez, Jr. | 2.4% | 2,947 | |
| Total Votes | 125,388 | |||
2012
- See also: Texas State Senate elections, 2012
Elections for the office of Texas State Senate consisted of a primary election on May 29, 2012, and a general election on November 6, 2012. Incumbent John Whitmire (D) defeated Bill Walker (R) in the general election. Both candidates were unopposed in the primary elections.[18] Whitmire raised a total of $1,341,636 in campaign contributions while Walker did not raise any money.[19]
| Party | Candidate | Vote % | Votes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | John Whitmire Incumbent |
62.3% | 135,822 | |
| Republican | Bill Walker | 37.7% | 82,038 | |
| Total Votes | 217,860 | |||
Campaign contributions
From 2000 to 2024, candidates for Texas State Senate District 15 raised a total of $16,847,641. Candidates who raised money in contributions earned $580,953 on average. All figures come from Follow the Money
| Campaign contributions, Texas State Senate District 15 | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Year | Amount | Candidates | Average |
| 2024 | $3,150,391 | 7 | $450,056 |
| 2022 | $3,684,606 | 3 | $1,228,202 |
| 2018 | $1,888,710 | 4 | $472,178 |
| 2014 | $1,397,913 | 4 | $349,478 |
| 2012 | $1,932,588 | 1 | $1,932,588 |
| 2010 | $1,139,778 | 2 | $569,889 |
| 2008 | $970,826 | 1 | $970,826 |
| 2006 | $1,084,808 | 2 | $542,404 |
| 2004 | $481,540 | 1 | $481,540 |
| 2002 | $487,528 | 2 | $243,764 |
| 2000 | $628,953 | 2 | $314,477 |
| Total | $16,847,641 | 29 | $580,953 |
See also
External links
Footnotes
- ↑ Texas Government Code, "Title 3., Subtitle A., Sec. 301.001," accessed February 17, 2021
- ↑ Texas Constitution, "Article 3. Legislative Department, Section 4," accessed November 4, 2021
- ↑ Texas State Legislature, "Texas Constitution," accessed December 18, 2013(Referenced Article 3, Section 3)
- ↑ Texas Secretary of State, "Qualifications for All Public Offices," accessed May 23, 2025
- ↑ National Conference of State Legislatures, "2024 Legislator Compensation," August 21, 2024
- ↑ Texas Legislature, "Election Code," accessed February 16, 2021 (Statute 3.003 (3))
- ↑ Texas Legislature, "Election Code," accessed February 16, 2021 (Statute 3.003 (3)(b)-(c))
- ↑ Texas Legislature, "Election Code," accessed February 16, 2021 (Statute 2.055)
- ↑ 9.0 9.1 9.2 All About Redistricting, "Texas," accessed May 7, 2015
- ↑ Texas Legislature Online, "Bill: HB 1000," accessed June 21, 2023
- ↑ Texas Legislature Online, "Bill: SB 375," accessed June 21, 2023
- ↑ The Texas Tribune, "Texas Senate votes to take up redistricting again," January 11, 2023
- ↑ Office of the Texas Governor Greg Abbott, "Governor Abbott Orders Special Election To Be Held In Senate District 15," January 18, 2024
- ↑ Texas Secretary of State, "1992 - Current ELECTION HISTORY," accessed December 2, 2014
- ↑ Green Party of Texas, "Greens Release Candidate List," accessed July 26, 2014
- ↑ The Libertarian Party of Texas, "2014 Texas Senate Candidates List," accessed July 26, 2014
- ↑ Texas Tribune, "Election Brackets," accessed May 5, 2014
- ↑ Office of the Secretary of State, "State of Texas 2012 General Election," November 6, 2012
- ↑ followthemoney.org, "State of Texas 2012 Senate Candidates," accessed November 27, 2013
