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Texas House of Representatives District 56

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Texas House of Representatives District 56
Incumbent
Assumed office: November 18, 2024

Texas House of Representatives District 56 is represented by Pat Curry (R).

As of the 2020 Census, Texas state representatives represented an average of 194,555 residents. After the 2010 Census, each member represented 168,456 residents.

About the office

Members of the Texas House of Representatives serve two-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]

Qualifications

See also: State legislature candidate requirements by state

To be eligible to serve in the Texas House of Representatives, a candidate must be:[3]

  • A U.S. citizen
  • A qualified elector
  • 21 years old before the general election
  • A two-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[4]
SalaryPer diem
$7,200/year$221/day

Vacancies

See also: How vacancies are filled in state legislatures

If there is a vacancy in the Texas State Legislature, the governor must call a special election to fill the vacant seat.[5] 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.[6]

The secretary of state can declare a candidate duly elected in a special election if there is no opposition.[7]

DocumentIcon.jpg 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.[8]

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:[8]

  1. Lieutenant governor
  2. Speaker of the Texas House of Representatives
  3. Attorney general
  4. State comptroller
  5. 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."[8]

2020-2023

See also: Redistricting in Texas after the 2020 census

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.[9][10]

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."[11] 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 House of Representatives District 56
until January 9, 2023

Click a district to compare boundaries.

Texas House of Representatives District 56
starting January 10, 2023

Click a district to compare boundaries.

Elections

2024

Regular election

See also: Texas House of Representatives elections, 2024

General election
General election for Texas House of Representatives District 56

Pat Curry defeated Erin Shank in the general election for Texas House of Representatives District 56 on November 5, 2024.

Candidate
%
Votes
Image of Pat Curry
Pat Curry (R)
 
68.6
 
56,195
Image of Erin Shank
Erin Shank (D) Candidate Connection
 
31.4
 
25,733

Total votes: 81,928
Candidate Connection = 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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Democratic primary election
Democratic primary for Texas House of Representatives District 56

Erin Shank advanced from the Democratic primary for Texas House of Representatives District 56 on March 5, 2024.

Candidate
%
Votes
Image of Erin Shank
Erin Shank Candidate Connection
 
100.0
 
3,771

Total votes: 3,771
Candidate Connection = 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 House of Representatives District 56

Pat Curry defeated Devvie Duke in the Republican primary for Texas House of Representatives District 56 on March 5, 2024.

Candidate
%
Votes
Image of Pat Curry
Pat Curry
 
58.1
 
15,153
Image of Devvie Duke
Devvie Duke Candidate Connection
 
41.9
 
10,917

Total votes: 26,070
Candidate Connection = 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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Special election

See also: Texas state legislative special elections, 2024

A special election for Texas House of Representatives District 56 was called for November 5, 2024. The candidate filing deadline was August 22, 2024.[12]

The seat became vacant after Charles Anderson (R) resigned on August 15, 2024.[13]

General election
Special general election for Texas House of Representatives District 56

Pat Curry defeated Erin Shank in the special general election for Texas House of Representatives District 56 on November 5, 2024.

Candidate
%
Votes
Image of Pat Curry
Pat Curry (R)
 
68.5
 
56,001
Image of Erin Shank
Erin Shank (D)
 
31.5
 
25,762

Total votes: 81,763
Candidate Connection = 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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2022

See also: Texas House of Representatives elections, 2022

General election

General election for Texas House of Representatives District 56

Incumbent Charles Anderson defeated Erin Shank in the general election for Texas House of Representatives District 56 on November 8, 2022.

Candidate
%
Votes
Image of Charles Anderson
Charles Anderson (R)
 
70.2
 
43,026
Image of Erin Shank
Erin Shank (D) Candidate Connection
 
29.8
 
18,306

Total votes: 61,332
Candidate Connection = 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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Democratic primary election

Democratic primary for Texas House of Representatives District 56

Erin Shank advanced from the Democratic primary for Texas House of Representatives District 56 on March 1, 2022.

Candidate
%
Votes
Image of Erin Shank
Erin Shank Candidate Connection
 
100.0
 
3,966

Total votes: 3,966
Candidate Connection = 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 House of Representatives District 56

Incumbent Charles Anderson advanced from the Republican primary for Texas House of Representatives District 56 on March 1, 2022.

Candidate
%
Votes
Image of Charles Anderson
Charles Anderson
 
100.0
 
17,837

Total votes: 17,837
Candidate Connection = 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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2020

See also: Texas House of Representatives elections, 2020

General election

General election for Texas House of Representatives District 56

Incumbent Charles Anderson defeated Katherine Turner-Pearson in the general election for Texas House of Representatives District 56 on November 3, 2020.

Candidate
%
Votes
Image of Charles Anderson
Charles Anderson (R)
 
67.3
 
49,030
Image of Katherine Turner-Pearson
Katherine Turner-Pearson (D)
 
32.7
 
23,833

Total votes: 72,863
Candidate Connection = 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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Democratic primary election

Democratic primary for Texas House of Representatives District 56

Katherine Turner-Pearson advanced from the Democratic primary for Texas House of Representatives District 56 on March 3, 2020.

Candidate
%
Votes
Image of Katherine Turner-Pearson
Katherine Turner-Pearson
 
100.0
 
8,079

Total votes: 8,079
Candidate Connection = 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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Republican primary election

Republican primary for Texas House of Representatives District 56

Incumbent Charles Anderson advanced from the Republican primary for Texas House of Representatives District 56 on March 3, 2020.

Candidate
%
Votes
Image of Charles Anderson
Charles Anderson
 
100.0
 
17,754

Total votes: 17,754
Candidate Connection = 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 House of Representatives elections, 2018

General election

General election for Texas House of Representatives District 56

Incumbent Charles Anderson defeated Katherine Turner-Pearson in the general election for Texas House of Representatives District 56 on November 6, 2018.

Candidate
%
Votes
Image of Charles Anderson
Charles Anderson (R)
 
65.8
 
37,893
Image of Katherine Turner-Pearson
Katherine Turner-Pearson (D)
 
34.2
 
19,713

Total votes: 57,606
Candidate Connection = 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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Democratic primary election

Democratic primary for Texas House of Representatives District 56

Katherine Turner-Pearson advanced from the Democratic primary for Texas House of Representatives District 56 on March 6, 2018.

Candidate
%
Votes
Image of Katherine Turner-Pearson
Katherine Turner-Pearson
 
100.0
 
3,725

Total votes: 3,725
Candidate Connection = 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 House of Representatives District 56

Incumbent Charles Anderson advanced from the Republican primary for Texas House of Representatives District 56 on March 6, 2018.

Candidate
%
Votes
Image of Charles Anderson
Charles Anderson
 
100.0
 
12,179

Total votes: 12,179
Candidate Connection = 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.

2016

See also: Texas House of Representatives elections, 2016

Elections for the Texas House of Representatives took place in 2016. The primary election was held on March 1, 2016, and the general election was held on November 8, 2016. The candidate filing deadline was December 14, 2015.[14]

Incumbent Charles Anderson defeated Clif Deuvall in the Texas House of Representatives District 56 general election.[15]

Texas House of Representatives, District 56 General Election, 2016
Party Candidate Vote % Votes
     Republican Green check mark transparent.png Charles Anderson Incumbent 86.54% 43,979
     Libertarian Clif Deuvall 13.46% 6,840
Total Votes 50,819
Source: Texas Secretary of State



Incumbent Charles Anderson ran unopposed in the Texas House of Representatives District 56 Republican Primary.[16][17]

Texas House of Representatives, District 56 Republican Primary, 2016
Party Candidate
    Republican Green check mark transparent.png Charles Anderson Incumbent (unopposed)

2014

See also: Texas House of Representatives elections, 2014

Elections for all 150 seats in the Texas House of Representatives took place in 2014. A primary election took place on March 4, 2014. Those candidates who did not receive 50 percent or more of the vote in their party primary on March 4 faced an additional May 27 primary runoff. 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. Incumbent Charles Anderson was unopposed in the Republican primary. Anderson defeated Clifford Deuvall (L) in the general election.[18][19][20]

Texas House of Representatives, District 56 General Election, 2014
Party Candidate Vote % Votes
     Republican Green check mark transparent.pngCharles Anderson Incumbent 83.3% 25,654
     Libertarian Clifford Deuvall 16.7% 5,125
Total Votes 30,779

2012

See also: Texas House of Representatives elections, 2012

Elections for the office of Texas House of Representatives consisted of a primary election on May 29, 2012, and a general election on November 6, 2012. Incumbent Charles Anderson (R) defeated Neill Snider (L) in the general election. Anderson defeated Chris Decluitt and Raymond Hixson in the Republican primary election.[21]

Texas House of Representatives, District 56, General Election, 2012
Party Candidate Vote % Votes
     Republican Green check mark transparent.pngCharles Anderson Incumbent 79.5% 38,528
     Libertarian Neill Snider 20.5% 9,954
Total Votes 48,482
Texas House of Representatives District 56 Republican Primary, 2012
Candidate Vote % Votes
Green check mark transparent.pngCharles Anderson Incumbent 52.4% 9,353
Chris Decluitt 37.9% 6,768
Raymond Hixson 9.8% 1,743
Total Votes 17,864

Campaign contributions

From 2000 to 2024, candidates for Texas House of Representatives District 56 raised a total of $6,549,083. Candidates who raised money in contributions earned $211,261 on average. All figures come from Follow the Money

Campaign contributions, Texas House of Representatives District 56
Year Amount Candidates Average
2024 $1,337,475 5 $267,495
2022 $318,216 2 $159,108
2020 $150,075 2 $75,037
2018 $173,136 2 $86,568
2014 $90,425 2 $45,213
2012 $314,491 4 $78,623
2010 $1,036,394 2 $518,197
2008 $743,245 2 $371,623
2006 $55,581 1 $55,581
2004 $1,237,179 4 $309,295
2002 $928,737 4 $232,184
2000 $164,129 1 $164,129
Total $6,549,083 31 $211,261


See also

External links

Footnotes

  1. Texas Government Code, "Title 3., Subtitle A., Sec. 301.001," accessed February 17, 2021
  2. Texas Constitution, "Article 3. Legislative Department, Section 4," accessed November 4, 2021
  3. Texas Secretary of State, "Qualifications for All Public Offices," accessed May 23, 2025
  4. National Conference of State Legislatures, "2024 Legislator Compensation," August 21, 2024
  5. Texas Legislature, "Election Code," accessed February 16, 2021 (Statute 3.003 (3))
  6. Texas Legislature, "Election Code," accessed February 16, 2021 (Statute 3.003 (3)(b)-(c))
  7. Texas Legislature, "Election Code," accessed February 16, 2021 (Statute 2.055)
  8. 8.0 8.1 8.2 All About Redistricting, "Texas," accessed May 7, 2015
  9. Texas Legislature Online, "Bill: HB 1000," accessed June 21, 2023
  10. Texas Legislature Online, "Bill: SB 375," accessed June 21, 2023
  11. The Texas Tribune, "Texas Senate votes to take up redistricting again," January 11, 2023
  12. Office of the Texas Governor, "Governor Abbott Proclaims Special Election For Texas House District 56," August 19, 2024
  13. The Texas Tribune, "Republican state Rep. Doc Anderson resigns, Abbott calls special election," August 15, 2024
  14. Texas Secretary of State, "Important 2016 Election Dates," accessed December 14, 2015
  15. Texas Secretary of State, "2016 General Election," accessed December 2, 2016
  16. Texas Secretary of State, "2016 March Primary Election Candidate Filings by County," accessed August 22, 2016
  17. Texas Secretary of State, "1992 - Current Election History results," accessed August 22, 2016
  18. Texas Secretary of State, "1992 - Current ELECTION HISTORY," accessed December 2, 2014
  19. The Libertarian Party of Texas, "2014 Texas Representative Candidate List," accessed July 30, 2014
  20. Green Party of Texas, "Greens Release Candidate List," accessed July 30, 2014
  21. Office of the Secretary of State, "State of Texas 2012 General Election," November 6, 2012


Current members of the Texas House of Representatives
Leadership
Speaker of the House:Dustin Burrows
Representatives
District 1
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District 3
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Jay Dean (R)
District 8
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District 42
District 43
District 44
District 45
District 46
District 47
District 48
District 49
District 50
District 51
District 52
District 53
District 54
District 55
District 56
Pat Curry (R)
District 57
District 58
District 59
District 60
District 61
District 62
District 63
District 64
District 65
District 66
District 67
District 68
District 69
District 70
District 71
District 72
District 73
District 74
District 75
District 76
District 77
District 78
District 79
District 80
District 81
District 82
District 83
District 84
District 85
District 86
District 87
District 88
Ken King (R)
District 89
District 90
District 91
District 92
District 93
District 94
District 95
District 96
District 97
District 98
District 99
District 100
District 101
District 102
District 103
District 104
District 105
District 106
District 107
District 108
District 109
District 110
Toni Rose (D)
District 111
District 112
District 113
District 114
District 115
District 116
District 117
District 118
District 119
District 120
District 121
District 122
District 123
District 124
District 125
Ray Lopez (D)
District 126
District 127
District 128
District 129
District 130
District 131
District 132
District 133
District 134
District 135
District 136
John Bucy (D)
District 137
Gene Wu (D)
District 138
District 139
District 140
District 141
District 142
District 143
District 144
District 145
District 146
District 147
District 148
District 149
Hubert Vo (D)
District 150
Republican Party (88)
Democratic Party (62)