Texas State Senate elections, 2012
 |
Texas's 2012 elections U.S. Senate • U.S. House • Other executive offices • State Senate • State House • Candidate ballot access |
 |
|
← 2010
|
 |
 State Legislative Elections |
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. The Primary Runoff Election took place on July 31, 2012.[1]
The signature filing deadline for candidates wishing to run in these elections was March 9, 2012.[2]
All 31 Senate seats were up for election in 2012. Texas Senators serve four year terms. 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]
Due to legal challenges during the redistricting process, the primary was moved back twice. The original filing deadline was December 12th, which was then moved to December 15th. The deadline was further changed to December 19.[4][5] The original primary date was March 6, 2012 and the original primary runoff date was set for May 22, 2012.
Majority control
- See also: Partisan composition of state senates
Heading into the November 6 election, the Republican Party held the majority in the Texas State Senate:
| Texas State Senate | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Party | As of November 5, 2012 | After the 2012 Election | |
| Democratic Party | 12 | 12 | |
| Republican Party | 19 | 19 | |
| Total | 31 | 31 | |
Incumbents retiring
| Name | Party | Current office |
|---|---|---|
| Chris Harris |  Republican |
Senate District 9 |
| Florence Shapiro | Republican |
Senate District 8 |
| Mike Jackson | Republican |
Senate District 11 |
| Steve Ogden | Republican |
Senate District 5 |
Campaign contributions
This chart shows how many candidates ran for state senate in Texas in past years and the cumulative amount of dollars raised in state senate races, including contributions in both primary and general election contests. All figures come from Follow The Money.[6]
| Year | Number of candidates | Total contributions |
|---|---|---|
| 2010 | 41 | $11,219,972 |
| 2008 | 37 | $17,705,611 |
| 2006 | 46 | $20,836,417 |
| 2004 | 30 | $10,539,364 |
| 2002 | 75 | $23,504,855 |
In 2010, the candidates for state senate raised a total of $11,219,972 in campaign contributions. The top 10 donors were:[7]
| Donor | Amount |
|---|---|
| Perry, Bob J | $544,500 |
| Border Health | $486,750 |
| Texas Association of Realtors | $426,548 |
| Bius, Ben | $273,790 |
| Texas Medical Association | $255,741 |
| Time Warner | $251,075 |
| Texans for Lawsuit Reform | $218,466 |
| Independent Insurance Agents of Texas | $207,232 |
| AT&T | $205,850 |
| Associated General Contractors of Texas | $180,408 |
Impact of redistricting
- See also: Redistricting in Texas
The Republican-controlled legislature approved Senate maps on May 23, 2011, which were subject to federal preclearance under the Voting Rights Act. A federal court in Washington D.C. denied preclearance; the court's opinion said, "Thus, we conclude that the Texas legislature redrew the boundaries for SD 10 with discriminatory intent."[8]The 2012 elections were administered using interim maps drawn by a San Antonio federal court, which were issued on February 28, 2012. The court-drawn Senate maps closely resembled the initial maps approved by the legislature, with changes made to Tarrant County, which encompassed District 10.[9]
There were 10 state senate districts where the partisan registration of Democratic and Republican voters was less than 10 percentage points apart. These districts would be considered "competitive" when looked at strictly with respect to vote party affiliation. The 10 districts in Texas were Districts 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 9, 10, 11, 17 and 18.
Qualifications
To be eligible to serve in the Texas State Senate, a candidate must be:[10]
- A U.S. citizen
- 26 years old before the general election
- A five-year resident of Texas before the general election
- A district resident for 1 year prior to the general election
Vacancies
| How vacancies are filled in state legislatures |
 |
If there is a vacancy in the Senate, the Governor must call a special election to fill the vacant seat[11]. A Governor's proclamation to a special election must be delivered to local elections authorities representing the vacant seat no later than 36 days before the scheduled election[12].
The Secretary of State can declare a candidate duly elected in a special election if there is no opposition[13].
List of candidates
District 1
May 29 Democratic primary candidates:
- Stephen H. Russell 10,225
- Stephen H. Russell 10,225
May 29 GOP primary candidates:
- Kevin Eltife 71,258 - Incumbent Eltife first assumed office in 2004.
- Kevin Eltife 71,258
November 6 General election candidates:
- Stephen H. Russell: 84,262
- Kevin Eltife: 210,091
District 2
- May 29 Democratic primary candidates:
- No candidates filed.
- May 29 GOP primary candidates:
- Bob Deuell 38,092 - Incumbent Deuell first assumed office in 2003.
- Bob Deuell 38,092
November 6 General election candidates:
- Bob Deuell: 172,451
District 3
- May 29 Democratic primary candidates:
- No candidates filed.
- May 29 GOP primary candidates:
- Tammy Blair 20,410
- Robert Nichols 59,735 - Incumbent Nichols first assumed office in 2007.
November 6 General election candidates:
- Robert Nichols: 226,978
District 4
- May 29 Democratic primary candidates:
- No candidates filed.
- May 29 GOP primary candidates:
- Michael Galloway 21,961
- Tommy Williams 36,630 - Incumbent Williams first assumed office in 2003.
May 29 Libertarian primary candidates:
November 6 General election candidates:
- Tommy Williams: 216,076
- Bob Townsend: 24,445
District 5
Note: Incumbent Steve Ogden (R) did not seek re-election.
- May 29 Democratic primary candidates:
- No candidates filed.
- May 29 GOP primary candidates:
- Ben Bius 15,050
- Charles Schwertner 44,033
- May 29 Libertarian primary candidates:
November 6 General election candidates:
- Charles Schwertner: 182,554
- Jeffrey Fox: 54,107
District 6
- May 29 Democratic primary candidates:
- Mario V. Gallegos, Jr. 10,495 - Incumbent Gallegos first assumed office in 1995.
- Mario V. Gallegos, Jr. 10,495
- May 29 GOP primary candidates:
- R.W. Bray 6,389
- R.W. Bray 6,389
- May 29 Libertarian primary candidates:
- Note: Susan Delgado filed for election, but did not appear on the general election ballot.
November 6 General election candidates:
- Mario V. Gallegos, Jr.: 93,289 - Gallegos passed away in October 2012, prior to the election. However, his name still appeared on the ballot.
- R.W. Bray: 38,201
Note: Due to the general election win for the deceased Gallegos, a special election was set for January 26, 2013. The winner of this election was set to serve a four year term.[14]
District 7
- May 29 Democratic primary candidates:
- Sam Texas 4,897
- Sam Texas 4,897
- May 29 GOP primary candidates:
- Dan Patrick 43,801 - Incumbent Patrick first assumed office in 2007.
- Dan Patrick 43,801
November 6 General election candidates:
- Sam Texas: 90,793
- Dan Patrick: 196,526
District 8
Note: Incumbent Florence Shapiro (R) did not seek re-election.
- May 29 Democratic primary candidates:
- Jack G.B. Ternan, Jr. 5,143
- Jack G.B. Ternan, Jr. 5,143
- May 29 GOP primary candidates:
- Ken Paxton 33,142
- Ken Paxton 33,142
- May 29 Libertarian primary candidates:
November 6 General election candidates:
- Jack G.B. Ternan, Jr.: 99,010
- Ken Paxton: 178,238
- Ed Kless: 8,899
District 9
Note: Incumbent Chris Harris (R) did not seek re-election.
- May 29 Democratic primary candidates:
- Pete Martinez 6,861
- Pete Martinez 6,861
- May 29 GOP primary candidates:
- Kelly Hancock 22,411
- Todd Smith 12,088
- Kelly Hancock 22,411
- May 29 Libertarian primary candidates:
November 6 General election candidates:
- Pete Martinez: 89,255
- Kelly Hancock: 136,288
- Dave McElwee: 8,034
District 10
- May 29 Democratic primary candidates:
- Wendy R. Davis 17,230 - Incumbent Davis first assumed office in 2009.
- Wendy R. Davis 17,230
- May 29 GOP primary candidates:
- Derek Cooper 6,709
- Mark Shelton 28,249
November 6 General election candidates:
- Wendy R. Davis: 147,103
- Mark Shelton: 140,656
District 11
Note: Incumbent Mike Jackson (R) did not seek re-election.
- May 29 Democratic primary candidates:
- Jacqueline Acquistapace 8,641
- Jacqueline Acquistapace 8,641
- May 29 GOP primary candidates:
- Daniel McCool 8,460
- Dave Norman 12,932
- Larry Taylor 29,816
November 6 General election candidates:
- Jacqueline Acquistapace: 93,227
- Larry Taylor: 181,106
District 12
- May 29 Democratic primary candidates:
- No candidates filed.
- May 29 GOP primary candidates:
- Jane Nelson 32,496 - Incumbent Nelson first assumed office in 1993.
- Jane Nelson 32,496
- May 29 Libertarian primary candidates:
November 6 General election candidates:
- Jane Nelson: 203,988
- John A. Betz, Jr.: 40,570
District 13
- May 29 Democratic primary candidates:
- Rodney Ellis 28,846 - Incumbent Ellis first assumed office in 1991.
- Rodney Ellis 28,846
- May 29 GOP primary candidates:
- No candidates filed.
November 6 General election candidates:
- Rodney Ellis: 181,866
District 14
- May 29 Democratic primary candidates:
- Kirk Watson 32,412 - Incumbent Watson first assumed office in 2007.
- Kirk Watson 32,412
- May 29 GOP primary candidates:
- Guy Fielder 22,376
- Guy Fielder 22,376
- May 29 Libertarian primary candidates:
November 6 General election candidates:
- Kirk Watson: 212,527
- Ryan M. Dixon: 52,187
- Note: Guy Fielder dropped out of the race and did not appear on the general election ballot.[15][16]
District 15
- May 29 Democratic primary candidates:
- John Whitmire 13,819 - Incumbent Whitmire first assumed office in 1983.
- John Whitmire 13,819
- May 29 GOP primary candidates:
- Bill Walker 15,193
- Bill Walker 15,193
November 6 General election candidates:
- John Whitmire: 135,822
- Bill Walker: 82,038
District 16
- May 29 Democratic primary candidates:
- No candidates filed.
- May 29 GOP primary candidates:
- John Carona 29,209 - Incumbent Carona first assumed office in 1997.
- John Carona 29,209
- May 29 Libertarian primary candidates:
- Note: Libertarian candidate Jared Leiman did not appear on the ballot.[17]
November 6 General election candidates:
- John Carona: 181,746
District 17
- May 29 Democratic primary candidates:
- No candidates filed.
- May 29 GOP primary candidates:
- Joan Huffman 42,013 - Incumbent Huffman first assumed office in 2009.
- Joan Huffman 42,013
- May 29 Libertarian primary candidates:
May 29 Green Party primary candidates:
November 6 General election candidates:
- Joan Huffman: 185,429
- Austin Page: 32,026
- David Courtney: 21,252
District 18
- May 29 Democratic primary candidates:
- No candidates filed.
- May 29 GOP primary candidates:
- Glenn Hegar 51,490 - Incumbent Hegar first assumed office in 2007.
- Glenn Hegar 51,490
November 6 General election candidates:
- Glenn Hegar: 211,230
District 19
- May 29 Democratic primary candidates:
- Carlos Uresti 26,306 - Incumbent Uresti first assumed office in 2007.
- Carlos Uresti 26,306
- May 29 GOP primary candidates:
- Michael Berlanga 15,302
- Michael Berlanga 15,302
November 6 General election candidates:
- Carlos Uresti: 122,214
- Michael Berlanga: 83,522
District 20
- May 29 Democratic primary candidates:
- Juan Hinojosa 28,820 - Incumbent Hinojosa first assumed office in 2002.
- Juan Hinojosa 28,820
- May 29 GOP primary candidates:
- Raul Torres 12,721
- Raul Torres 12,721
November 6 General election candidates:
- Juan Hinojosa: 112,629
- Raul Torres: 70,409
District 21
- May 29 Democratic primary candidates:
- Judith Zaffirini 42,714 - Incumbent Zaffirini first assumed office in 1987.
- Judith Zaffirini 42,714
- May 29 GOP primary candidates:
- Grant Rostig 13,993
- Grant Rostig 13,993
- May 29 Libertarian primary candidates:
November 6 General election candidates:
- Judith Zaffirini: 129,894
- Grant Rostig: 56,032
- Joseph Morse: 6,147
District 22
- May 29 Democratic primary candidates:
- Lyndon Laird 7,959
- Lyndon Laird 7,959
- May 29 GOP primary candidates:
- Brian Birdwell 54,602 - Incumbent Birdwell first assumed office in 2010.
- Brian Birdwell 54,602
- May 29 Libertarian primary candidates:
November 6 General election candidates:
- Brian Birdwell: 188,544
- Tom Kilbride: 32,786
- Note: Lyndon Laird dropped out of the race in August 2012 and did not appear on the general election ballot.[18][16]
District 23
- May 29 Democratic primary candidates:
- Royce West 32,024 - Incumbent West first assumed office in 1993.
- Royce West 32,024
- May 29 GOP primary candidates:
- John Lawson 5,608
- John Lawson 5,608
November 6 General election candidates:
- Royce West: 187,407
- John Lawson: 41,429
District 24
- May 29 Democratic primary candidates:
- No candidates filed.
- May 29 GOP primary candidates:
- Troy Fraser 59,950 - Incumbent Fraser first assumed office in 1997.
- Troy Fraser 59,950
November 6 General election candidates:
- Troy Fraser: 209,319
District 25
- May 29 Democratic primary candidates:
- John Courage 13,198
- John Courage 13,198
- May 29 GOP primary candidates:
- Donna Campbell 25,470 Advanced to runoff
- Elizabeth Ames Jones 23,085
- Jeff Wentworth 27,050 Incumbent Wentworth advanced to runoff
- Donna Campbell 25,470
- July 31 Republican primary runoff:
- May 29 Libertarian primary candidates:
- Note: Edward Carta filed for election, but did not appear on the general election ballot.
November 6 General election candidates:
- John Courage: 121,906
- Donna Campbell: 232,261
District 26
- May 29 Democratic primary candidates:
- Leticia Van de Putte 17,736 - Incumbent Van de Putte first assumed office in 1999.
- Leticia Van de Putte 17,736
- May 29 GOP primary candidates:
- No candidates filed.
- May 29 Libertarian primary candidates:
- May 29 Green Party primary candidates:
November 6 General election candidates:
- Leticia Van de Putte: 141,040
- N. Ruben Flores Perez: 22,989
- Chris Christal: 10,588
Deborah Parrish (write-in): 966
District 27
- May 29 Democratic primary candidates:
- Eddie Lucio, Jr. 36,724 - Incumbent Lucio first assumed office in 1991.
- Eddie Lucio, Jr. 36,724
- May 29 GOP primary candidates:
- No candidates filed for election in this district.
November 6 General election candidates:
- Eddie Lucio, Jr.: 113,542
District 28
- May 29 Democratic primary candidates:
- No candidates filed.
- May 29 GOP primary candidates:
- Robert Duncan 52,990 - Incumbent Duncan first assumed office in 1997.
- E.M. Garza 9,069
- Robert Duncan 52,990
- May 29 Libertarian primary candidates:
November 6 General election candidates:
- Robert Duncan: 183,619
- M.J. Smith: 28,932
District 29
- May 29 Democratic primary candidates:
- Jose R. Rodriguez 36,752 - Incumbent Rodriguez first assumed office in 2011.
- Jose R. Rodriguez 36,752
- May 29 GOP primary candidates:
- Dan Chavez 8,124
- Dan Chavez 8,124
November 6 General election candidates:
- Jose R. Rodriguez: 116,208
- Dan Chavez: 53,190
District 30
- May 29 Democratic primary candidates:
- No candidates filed.
- May 29 GOP primary candidates:
- Craig Estes 42,464 - Incumbent Estes first assumed office in 2001.
- Jim Herblin 22,599
- Craig Estes 42,464
- May 29 Libertarian primary candidates:
November 6 General election candidates:
- Craig Estes: 217,877
- Richard Forsythe: 35,127
District 31
- May 29 Democratic primary candidates:
- No candidates filed.
- May 29 GOP primary candidates:
- Randy Rives 15,874
- Kel Seliger 49,966 - Incumbent Seliger first assumed office in 2004.
November 6 General election candidates:
- Kel Seliger: 195,878
See also
External links
- Texas GOP - 2012 Republican primary candidates
- Texas Democratic Party - 2012 Democratic primary candidates (dead link)
- Texas Libertarian Party - 2012 Libertarian primary candidates (dead link)
- Texas Green Party - 2012 Green Party primary candidates
- Texas Secretary of State - 2012 Independent primary candidates (dead link)
- Texas Secretary of State Official Candidate list (dead link)
- Texas Secretary of State Official Certified Write-In Candidates list
- Texas Secretary of State - 2012 primary and general election results
Footnotes
- ↑ Texas Secretary of State, "Calendar of Important Dates for Candidates for the 2012 Primary and General Elections"
- ↑ Texas Redistricting, "San Antonio court signs order on election deadlines," December 14, 2011
- ↑ Texas Constitution, Article 3, Section 3
- ↑ Texas Secretary of State, "Important 2012 Election Dates," accessed July 15, 2011
- ↑ Governing, "Federal Court Issues New Texas Political Maps,"
- ↑ Follow the Money, Texas
- ↑ Follow the Money: "Texas Senate 2010 Campaign Contributions"
- ↑ Casetext, "Texas v. United States," accessed April 16, 2024
- ↑ Texas Tribune, "Court Delivers Maps for Texas House, Congress," accessed April 17, 2024
- ↑ Qualifications for running for Texas Senate
- ↑ Texas Legislature, "Texas Election Code"(Referenced Statute 3.003 (3))
- ↑ Texas Legislature, "Texas Election Code"(Referenced Statute 3.003 (3)(b)-(c))
- ↑ Texas Legislature, "Texas Election Code"(Referenced Statute 2.055 (3)(b)-(c))
- ↑ Senators Draw Lots to Determine Terms, "Texastribune.org" accessed January 24, 2013
- ↑ The Statesman, "Fielder drops Texas Senate bid," August 13, 2012
- ↑ 16.0 16.1 Texas Secretary of State, "November 6, 2012 General Election Candidates," accessed September 7, 2012
- ↑ Libertarian Party of Texas, "2012 Candidate Listings," accessed July 20, 2012 (dead link)
- ↑ News Channel 25, "Laird Withdraws from State Senate Race," August 17, 2012
