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Texas state legislative special elections, 2018

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In 2018, five special elections were called to fill vacant seats in theTexas State Legislature.Click here to read more about the special elections.

Senate special elections called:

House special elections called:

How vacancies are filled in Texas

See also:How vacancies are filled in state legislatures


If there is a vacancy in theTexas State Legislature, thegovernor must call a special election to fill the vacant seat.[1] 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.[2]

Thesecretary of state can declare a candidate duly elected in a special election if there is no opposition.[3]

DocumentIcon.jpgSee sources:Texas Elec. Code § 203.001 et. seq.


About the legislature

TheTexas State Senate is theupper chamber of theTexas State Legislature. There are 31 members. Each member represented an average of811,147 residents, as of the 2010 Census.[4] After the 2000 Census, each member represented672,640.[5]

TheTexas House of Representatives is thelower chamber of theTexas State Legislature. There are 150 members. Each member represented an average of167,637 residents, as of the 2010 Census.[6] After the 2000 Census, each member represented139,012.[7]

Partisan breakdown

The boxes below show the partisan composition of both chambers directly before and after the most recent general elections prior to 2017. For the most up-to-date numbers on partisan composition in this legislature, seehere (Senate) andhere (House).

Texas House of Representatives
PartyAs of November 7, 2016After November 8, 2016
    Democratic Party5055
    Republican Party9995
    Independent10
Total150150
Texas State Senate
PartyAs of November 7, 2016After November 8, 2016
    Democratic Party1111
    Republican Party2020
Total3131

Special elections


Click [show] to the right of the district name for more information:

May 5, 2018

☑RunoffArrow.jpgTexas House of Representatives District 13 
See also:Texas state legislative special elections, 2018

Aspecial election for the office ofTexas House of Representatives District 13 was held on May 5, 2018. Candidates had until March 5, 2018, to file nomination papers with the secretary of state.[8]

On February 4, 2018, state Rep.Leighton Schubert (R) resigned from the state House to accept a position with Blinn College.[9]

Ben Leman (R) andJill Wolfskill (R) defeatedCecil R. Webster Sr. (D) in the general election and advanced to a runoff election. Leman then defeated Wolfskill in Texas' regular primary runoff election for the seat on May 22, 2018, prompting Wolfskill to drop out of the special election race for the seat. As a result, the runoff was cancelled, and Leman was declared the winner.[10][11][12]

General election

Special general election for Texas House of Representatives District 13

Ben Leman defeatedJill Wolfskill andCecil R. Webster Sr. in the special general election for Texas House of Representatives District 13 on May 5, 2018.

Candidate
%
Votes
✔
Image of Ben Leman
Ben Leman (R)
 
43.2
 
6,792
Image of Jill Wolfskill
Jill Wolfskill (R)
 
35.1
 
5,528
Image of Cecil R. Webster Sr.
Cecil R. Webster Sr. (D)
 
21.7
 
3,408

Ballotpedia Logo

There were noincumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source

Total votes: 15,728
Candidate Connection = candidate completed theBallotpedia 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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Runoff election candidates:
Republican PartyBen LemanGreen check mark transparent.png
Republican PartyJill Wolfskill(Withdrew)
May 5 general election candidates:
Democratic PartyCecil R. Webster Sr.
Republican PartyBen LemanApproveda
Republican PartyJill WolfskillApproveda

July 31, 2018

☑RunoffArrow.jpgTexas State Senate District 19 
See also:Texas state legislative special elections, 2018

Aspecial election for the office ofTexas State Senate District 19 was held on July 31, 2018. Candidates had until June 25, 2018, to file nomination papers with the secretary of state.[13]

On June 18, 2018, state Sen.Carlos Uresti (D) resigned from the state Senate, four months after he was found guilty of charges related to bribery surrounding a government contract and charges of wrongdoing.[14]

Pete Gallego (D) andPeter Flores (R) defeatedRoland Gutierrez (D),Charles Urbina Jones (D),Tomas Uresti (D),Jesse Alaniz (R),Carlos Antonio Raymond (R), andTony Valdivia (L) in the special election on July 31, 2018, and advanced to a runoff election. Flores then defeated Gallego in the runoff election on September 18, 2018.[15][16][17]

General runoff election

Special general runoff election for Texas State Senate District 19

Peter P. Flores defeatedPete Gallego in the special general runoff election for Texas State Senate District 19 on September 18, 2018.

Candidate
%
Votes
✔
Image of Peter P. Flores
Peter P. Flores (R)
 
56.7
 
25,330
Image of Pete Gallego
Pete Gallego (D)
 
43.3
 
19,367

Ballotpedia Logo

There were noincumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source

Total votes: 44,697
Candidate Connection = candidate completed theBallotpedia 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.

General election

Special general election for Texas State Senate District 19

The following candidates ran in the special general election for Texas State Senate District 19 on July 31, 2018.

Candidate
%
Votes
✔
Image of Peter P. Flores
Peter P. Flores (R)
 
34.4
 
9,003
✔
Image of Pete Gallego
Pete Gallego (D)
 
28.9
 
7,580
Image of Roland Gutierrez
Roland Gutierrez (D)
 
24.4
 
6,389
Image of Carlos Antonio Raymond
Carlos Antonio Raymond (R)
 
3.5
 
920
Image of Tomas Uresti
Tomas Uresti (D)
 
3.0
 
799
Charles Urbina Jones (D)
 
3.0
 
789
Image of Jesse Alaniz
Jesse Alaniz (R)
 
1.8
 
461
Image of Tony Valdivia
Tony Valdivia (L)
 
1.0
 
266

Ballotpedia Logo

There were noincumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source

Total votes: 26,207
Candidate Connection = candidate completed theBallotpedia 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.

September 18 runoff candidates:
Republican PartyPeter FloresApproveda
Democratic PartyPete Gallego
July 31 general election candidates:
Democratic PartyPete GallegoRunoffArrow.jpg
Democratic PartyRoland Gutierrez
Democratic PartyCharles Urbina Jones
Democratic PartyTomas Uresti
Republican PartyJesse Alaniz
Republican PartyPeter FloresRunoffArrow.jpg
Republican PartyCarlos Antonio Raymond
Libertarian PartyTony Valdivia

November 6, 2018

☑Texas House of Representatives District 52 
See also:Texas state legislative special elections, 2018

Aspecial election for the office ofTexas House of Representatives District 52 was held on November 6, 2018. Candidates had until August 23, 2018, to file nomination papers with the secretary of state.[18]

On June 7, 2018, state Rep.Larry Gonzales (R) resigned from the state House after previously announcing that he would not seek re-election. He stated, "It's time to get on with the next phase of my life."[18]

James Talarico (D) defeatedCynthia Flores (R) in the general election.[19]

General election

Special general election for Texas House of Representatives District 52

James Talarico defeatedCynthia Flores in the special general election for Texas House of Representatives District 52 on November 6, 2018.

Candidate
%
Votes
✔
Image of James Talarico
James Talarico (D)
 
51.7
 
36,798
Cynthia Flores (R)
 
48.3
 
34,340

Ballotpedia Logo

There were noincumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source

Total votes: 71,138
Candidate Connection = candidate completed theBallotpedia 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.

General election candidates

☑Texas House of Representatives District 62 
See also:Texas state legislative special elections, 2018

Aspecial election for the office ofTexas House of Representatives District 62 was held on November 6, 2018. Candidates had until August 23, 2018, to file nomination papers with the secretary of state.[18]

On April 30, 2018, state Rep.Larry Phillips (R) resigned from the state House to run for district judge in Grayson County.

Reggie Smith (R) was the only candidate to file, so he was automatically elected in the November general election.[19]

General election

The general election was canceled.Reggie Smith (R) won without appearing on the ballot.

General election candidates

The general election was canceled and this candidate was elected:

December 11, 2018

☑Texas State Senate District 6 
See also:Texas state legislative special elections, 2018

Aspecial election for the office ofTexas State Senate District 6 was held on December 11, 2018. Candidates had until November 16, 2018, to file nomination papers with the secretary of state.[20]

On November 9, 2018, state Sen.Sylvia Garcia (D) resigned from the state Senate.[20]

General election

Special general election for Texas State Senate District 6

Carol Alvarado defeatedAna Hernandez,Martha Fierro, andMia Mundy in the special general election for Texas State Senate District 6 on December 11, 2018.

Candidate
%
Votes
✔
Image of Carol Alvarado
Carol Alvarado (D)
 
50.4
 
7,602
Image of Ana Hernandez
Ana Hernandez (D)
 
24.3
 
3,670
Image of Martha Fierro
Martha Fierro (R)
 
23.2
 
3,493
Image of Mia Mundy
Mia Mundy (D)
 
2.1
 
319

Ballotpedia Logo

There were noincumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source

Total votes: 15,084
Candidate Connection = candidate completed theBallotpedia 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.

Special elections throughout the country

See also:State legislative special elections, 2018

In 2018, 99 state legislative special elections were held in 26 states. Between 2011 and 2017, an average of 74 special elections took place each year.

Breakdown of 2018 special elections

In 2018, special elections for state legislative positions were held for the following reasons:

  • 58 due to appointment, election, or the seeking of election to another position
  • 16 due to a retirement
  • 10 due to a resignation related to criminal charges
  • 7 due to a resignation related to allegations of sexual misconduct
  • 5 due to the death of the incumbent
  • 2 due to a resignation to take a private sector job
  • 1 due to an election being rerun

Impact of special elections on partisan composition

The partisan breakdown for the special elections was as follows:

The table below details how many seats changed parties as the result of a special election in 2018. The number on the left reflects how many vacant seats were originally held by each party, while the number on the right shows how many vacant seats each party won in the special elections. In elections between 2011 and 2016, either the Democratic Party or Republican Party saw an average net gain of three seats across the country. In 2017, Democrats had a net gain of 11 seats.

Note: This table reflects information for elections that were held and not the total number of vacant seats.

Partisan Change from Special Elections (2018)
PartyAs of Special ElectionAfter Special Election
    Democratic Party4250
    Republican Party5749
    Independent00
Total 99 99


Democrats gained 11 seats in2017 special elections and eight seats in 2018 special elections. The table below details the results of special elections held in 2017 and 2018 cumulatively.

Partisan Change from Special Elections (2017-2018)
PartyAs of Special ElectionAfter Special Election
    Democratic Party87106
    Republican Party11091
    Independent00
Total 197 197

Flipped seats

In 2018, 16 seats flipped as a result of state legislative special elections. Twelve seats flipped from Republican control to Democratic control. Four seats flipped from Democratic control to Republican control.

In New York, a Democratic candidate running on the Republican ticket won election to Assembly District 142 on April 24. The previous incumbent in that district was a Democrat. Due to the winning candidate's party affiliation, Assembly District 142 was not added to the list of flipped seats in 2018.

Seats flipped from R to D

Seats flipped from D to R


See also

Footnotes

  1. ↑Texas Legislature, "Election Code," accessed February 16, 2021(Statute 3.003 (3))
  2. ↑Texas Legislature, "Election Code," accessed February 16, 2021(Statute 3.003 (3)(b)-(c))
  3. ↑Texas Legislature, "Election Code," accessed February 16, 2021(Statute 2.055)
  4. ↑U.S. Census Bureau, "Population Distribution and Change: 2000 to 2010," accessed May 15, 2014
  5. ↑U.S. Census Bureau, "States Ranked by Population: 2000," April 2, 2001
  6. ↑U.S. Census Bureau, "Population Distribution and Change: 2000 to 2010," accessed May 15, 2014
  7. ↑U.S. Census Bureau, "States Ranked by Population: 2000," April 2, 2001
  8. ↑Office of the Texas Governor, "Governor Abbott Sets Date For Special Election In HD 13," February 16, 2018
  9. ↑The Seattle Times, "Special election May 5 to fill Schubert’s Texas House seat," February 16, 2018
  10. ↑Vote Texas, "Candidates for State Representative, District 13 Special Election," accessed March 21, 2018
  11. ↑Texas Secretary of State, "2018 Special Election House District 13," May 5, 2018
  12. ↑Twitter "Patrick Svitek," May 23, 2018
  13. ↑Chron, "Governor announces July special election for empty San Antonio state senator seat," June 20, 2018
  14. ↑News4sa.com, "State senator Carlos Uresti resigns," June 18, 2018
  15. ↑Bexar County, "Sample Ballot - Special State Senate, District 19 Election," accessed July 20, 2018
  16. ↑Texas Secretary of State, "2018 Special Election, Senate District 19 Election Night Returns," July 31, 2018
  17. ↑Texas Secretary of State, "2018 Special Runoff Election, Senate District 19 Election Night Returns," September 18, 2018
  18. ↑18.018.118.2The Texas Tribune, "Gov. Abbott sets Nov. 6 special election to replace former state Rep. Larry Gonzales," July 2, 2018Cite error: Invalid<ref> tag; name "tribune" defined multiple times with different content
  19. ↑19.019.1The Texas Tribune, "Republican set to replace ex-state Rep. Larry Phillips after drawing no special election opponents," August 23, 2018
  20. ↑20.020.1Houston Public Media, "UPDATE: Governor Abbott Calls Special Election To Replace Sylvia Garcia In Texas State Senate," November 9, 2018
  21. ↑The general election was cancelled afterWayne McMahen (R) was the only candidate to file for election.
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