2018 Texas elections

November 6, 2018

The 2018 general election was held in the U.S. state of Texas on November 6, 2018. All of Texas's executive officers were up for election as well as a United States Senate seat, and all of Texas's thirty-six seats in the United States House of Representatives. The Republican and Democratic Parties nominated their candidates by primaries held March 6, 2018. Convention Parties nominated their candidates at a series of conventions. County Conventions held March 17, 2018, District Conventions held March 24, 2018, and a State Convention held April 14, 2018.[1] At the present time there is only one Convention Party in Texas, that is the Libertarian Party. Other parties may seek to achieve ballot access.[2]

Turnout in the November general election reached historic levels, rivaling turnout in a presidential election.[3] While the Republican Party won every statewide position, the margin of victory was narrower than previous elections.[4][5][6]

United States Senate

Democratic U.S. Representative Beto O'Rourke and Libertarian candidate Neal Dikeman challenged U.S. Senator Ted Cruz for re-election. Cruz narrowly defeated O'Rourke by 2.6%.

United States House of Representatives

All of Texas's thirty-six seats in the United States House of Representatives were up for election in 2018.[7] No open seats changed hands, but two Republican incumbents lost to Democrats.

Governor

Incumbent governor Greg Abbott ran for a second term. He was first elected in 2014 after serving twelve years as Texas Attorney General, and he succeeded Rick Perry as governor.

Abbott won the March 20, 2018, Republican primary, while Lupe Valdez won the Democratic runoff against Andrew White, becoming the first Latina nominated by a major party for statewide office in Texas.

Libertarian Mark Tippetts also ran against Abbott. Tippetts defeated Kathie Glass, Patrick "Not Governor" Smith, and Kory Watkins at the party convention to earn his nomination.[8]

Lieutenant governor

On January 9, 2017, the day before the 85th Texas Legislature began its session, incumbent Republican lieutenant governor Dan Patrick announced he would run for re-election in 2018.[9] He stated his early announcement was in order to dispel rumors of a primary challenge to Governor Greg Abbott or U.S. Senator Ted Cruz.[9]

Republican primary

Candidates

Results

Republican primary results[12]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Dan Patrick (incumbent) 1,172,830 76.07%
Republican Scott Milder 368,995 23.93%
Total votes 1,541,825 100.0%

Democratic primary

Candidates

  • Mike Collier, businessman, finance Chair of the Texas Democratic Party, and nominee for Comptroller in 2014[13]
  • Michael Cooper, businessman, community leader, and pastor[14]

Results

Democratic primary results[15]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Mike Collier 504,220 52.38%
Democratic Michael Cooper 458,404 47.62%
Total votes 962,624 100.0%

Libertarian state convention

Candidates

  • Kerry Douglas McKennon[16]

General election

Polling

Poll source Date(s)
administered
Sample
size
Margin
of error
Dan
Patrick (R)
Mike
Collier (D)
Kerry
McKennon (L)
Other Undecided
Dixie Strategies September 6–7, 2018 519 ± 4.3% 45% 39% 2% 14%
Texas Lyceum July 9–26, 2018 441 ± 4.7% 39% 29% 4% 28%
Gravis Marketing July 3–7, 2018 602 ± 4.0% 46% 44% 10%
UoT/Texas Tribune June 8–17, 2018 1,200 ± 2.83% 37% 31% 4% 5% 23%

Results

Results of the 2018 Lieutenant Gubernatorial Election by County
County Results
  • Patrick:      40–50%      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%      80–90%
    Collier:      40–50%      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%
2018 Texas lieutenant gubernatorial election[17]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Republican Dan Patrick (incumbent) 4,260,990 51.30% -6.84%
Democratic Mike Collier 3,860,865 46.49% +7.78%
Libertarian Kerry Douglas McKennon 183,516 2.21% -0.35%
Total votes 8,305,371 100.0%
Republican hold

Attorney general

Incumbent Republican attorney general Ken Paxton ran for re-election to a second term.[7]

Republican primary

Candidates

Results

Republican primary results[12]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Ken Paxton (incumbent) 1,317,169 100.0%
Total votes 1,317,169 100.0%

Democratic primary

Candidates

Results

Democratic primary results[15]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Justin Nelson 888,444 100.0%
Total votes 888,444 100.0%

Libertarian state convention

Candidates

  • Michael Ray Harris[19]

General election

Endorsements

Ken Paxton
Presidents of the United States
Organizations

Polling

Poll source Date(s)
administered
Sample
size
Margin
of error
Ken
Paxton (R)
Justin
Nelson (D)
Michael Ray
Harris (L)
Other Undecided
Dixie Strategies September 6–7, 2018 519 ± 4.3% 45% 39% 2% 15%
Texas Lyceum July 9–26, 2018 441 ± 4.7% 35% 25% 4% 37%
Gravis Marketing July 3–7, 2018 602 ± 4.0% 45% 41% 14%
UoT/Texas Tribune June 8–17, 2018 1,200 ± 2.83% 32% 31% 6% 4% 26%
Baselice & Associates (R-TLRPAC) May 21–28, 2018 45% 33%

Results

2018 Texas Attorney General election[17]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Republican Ken Paxton (incumbent) 4,193,207 50.57% -8.25%
Democratic Justin Nelson 3,898,098 47.01% +8.99%
Libertarian Michael Ray Harris 201,310 2.43% -0.10%
Total votes 8,292,615 100.0%
Republican hold

Comptroller of Public Accounts

Incumbent Republican comptroller Glenn Hegar ran for re-election to a second term.[7]

Republican primary

Candidates

Results

Republican primary results[12]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Glenn Hegar (incumbent) 1,271,222 100.0%
Total votes 1,271,222 100.0%

Democratic primary

Candidates

  • Joi Chevalier, business owner[23]
  • Tim Mahoney

Results

Democratic primary results[15]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Joi Chevalier 486,702 51.87%
Democratic Tim Mahoney 451,687 48.13%
Total votes 938,389 100.0%

Libertarian state convention

Candidates

General election

Results

2018 Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts election[17]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Republican Glenn Hegar (incumbent) 4,376,828 53.19% -5.19%
Democratic Joi Chevalier 3,570,693 43.39% +5.70%
Libertarian Ben Sanders 281,081 3.42% +0.46%
Total votes 8,228,602 100.00%
Republican hold

Commissioner of the General Land Office

Republican primary

Candidates

Results

Republican primary results[12]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican George P. Bush (incumbent) 856,512 58.22%
Republican Jerry Patterson 439,602 29.67%
Republican Davey Edwards 101,359 6.84%
Republican Rick Range 78,124 5.27%
Total votes 1,481,597 100.0%

Democratic primary

Candidates

  • Tex Morgan
  • Miguel Suazo

Results

Democratic primary results[15]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Miguel Suazo 665,344 70.15%
Democratic Tex Morgan 283,096 29.85%
Total votes 948,440 100.0%

Libertarian state convention

Candidates

General election

Endorsements

Polling

Poll source Date(s)
administered
Sample
size
Margin
of error
George P.
Bush (R)
Miguel
Suazo (D)
Matt
Pina (L)
Other Undecided
Dixie Strategies September 6–7, 2018 519 ± 4.3% 46% 30% 3% 22%

Results

2018 Texas Commissioner of the General Land Office election[17]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Republican George P. Bush (incumbent) 4,435,202 53.68% -7.00%
Democratic Miguel Suazo 3,567,927 43.19% +7.87%
Libertarian Matt Piña 258,482 3.13% +0.42%
Total votes 8,261,611 100.0%
Republican hold

Commissioner of Agriculture

Incumbent Republican Commissioner Sid Miller ran for re-election to a second term.[7]

Republican primary

Candidates

Results

Republican primary results[12]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Sid Miller (incumbent) 755,498 55.65%
Republican Jim Hogan 310,431 22.87%
Republican Trey Blocker 291,583 21.48%
Total votes 1,357,512 100.0%

Democratic primary

Candidates

Results

Democratic primary results[15]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Kim Olson 883,575 100.0%
Total votes 883,575 100.0%

Libertarian state convention

Candidates

  • Richard Carpenter[16]

General election

Results

2018 Texas Commissioner of Agriculture election[17]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Republican Sid Miller (incumbent) 4,221,527 51.26% -7.34%
Democratic Kim Olson 3,822,137 46.41% +9.57%
Libertarian Richard Carpenter 191,639 2.33% -0.55%
Total votes 8,235,303 100.0%
Republican hold

Texas Railroad Commissioner

Incumbent Republican Commissioner Christi Craddick ran for re-election to a second six-year term.[7]

Republican primary

Candidates

Results

Republican primary results[12]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Christi Craddick (incumbent) 1,042,663 75.83%
Republican Weston Martinez 332,374 24.17%
Total votes 1,375,007 100.0%

Democratic primary

Candidates

  • Roman McAllen, historic preservation officer[36]
  • Chris Spellmon

Results

Democratic primary results[15]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Roman McAllen 539,785 58.51%
Democratic Chris Spellmon 382,795 41.49%
Total votes 922,580 100.0%

Libertarian state convention

Candidates

General election

Results

2018 Texas Railroad Commissioner election[17]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Republican Christi Craddick (incumbent) 4,376,729 53.20% -5.14%
Democratic Roman McAllen 3,612,130 43.91% +7.43%
Libertarian Mike Wright 237,984 2.89% -0.26%
Total votes 8,226,843 100.0%
Republican hold

Supreme Court of Texas

Justice, Place 2 election

Republican primary

Candidates
Results
Republican primary results[12]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Jimmy Blacklock 1,215,844 100.0%
Total votes 1,215,844 100.0%

Democratic primary

Candidates
Results
Democratic primary results[15]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Steven Kirkland 875,297 100.0%
Total votes 875,297 100.0%

General election

Results
2018 Texas Supreme Court, Place 2 election[17]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Republican Jimmy Blacklock 4,358,756 53.17% -25.60%
Democratic Steven Kirkland 3,838,411 46.83% N/A
Total votes 8,197,167 100.0%
Republican hold

Justice, Place 4 election

Republican primary

Candidates
  • John Devine, incumbent Associate Justice of the Texas Supreme Court
Republican primary results[12]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican John Devine (incumbent) 1,211,769 100.0%
Total votes 1,211,769 100.0%

Democratic primary

Candidates
Results
Democratic primary results[15]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic R.K. Sandill 863,593 100.0%
Total votes 863,593 100.0%

General election

Results
2018 Texas Supreme Court, Place 4 election[17]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Republican John Devine (incumbent) 4,399,890 53.71% -21.35%
Democratic R.K. Sandill 3,792,144 46.29% N/A
Total votes 8,192,034 100.0%
Republican hold

Justice, Place 6 election

Republican primary

Candidates
  • Jeff Brown, incumbent Associate Justice of the Texas Supreme Court
Results
Republican primary results[12]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Jeff Brown (incumbent) 1,197,450 100.0%
Total votes 1,197,450 100.0%

Democratic primary

Candidates
  • Kathy Cheng, attorney
Results
Democratic primary results[15]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Kathy Cheng 874,029 100.0%
Total votes 874,029 100.0%

General election

Results
2018 Texas Supreme Court, Place 6 election[17]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Republican Jeff Brown (incumbent) 4,404,602 53.71% -0.01%
Democratic Kathy Cheng 3,796,001 46.29% +4.38%
Total votes 8,200,603 100.0%
Republican hold

Texas Court of Criminal Appeals

Presiding Judge election

Republican primary

Candidates
Results
Republican primary results[12]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Sharon Keller (incumbent) 674,889 52.16%
Republican David Bridges 618,982 47.84%
Total votes 1,293,871 100.0%

Democratic primary

Candidates
Results
Democratic primary results[15]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Maria T. (Terri) Jackson 878,581 100.0%
Total votes 878,581 100.0%

General election

Results
2018 Texas Criminal Court of Appeals, Presiding Judge election[17]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Republican Sharon Keller (incumbent) 4,288,913 52.24% -3.25%
Democratic Maria T. (Terri) Jackson 3,734,179 45.48% +4.24%
Libertarian William Bryan Strange III 187,384 2.28% -0.98%
Total votes 8,210,476 100.0%
Republican hold

Judge, Place 7 election

Republican primary

Candidates
Results
Republican primary results[12]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Barbara Parker Hervey (incumbent) 1,171,978 100.0%
Total votes 1,171,978 100.0%

Democratic primary

Candidates
Results
Democratic primary results[15]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Ramona Franklin 872,150 100.0%
Total votes 872,150 100.0%

General election

Results
2018 Texas Criminal Court of Appeals, Place 7 election
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Republican Barbara Parker Hervey (incumbent) 4,429,113 54.15% -23.73%
Democratic Ramona Franklin 3,750,114 45.85% N/A
Total votes 8,179,227 100.0%
Republican hold

Judge, Place 8

Republican primary

Candidates
Results
Republican primary results[12]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Michelle Slaughter 669,949 52.84%
Republican Jay Brandon 389,753 30.74%
Republican Dib Waldrip 208,179 16.42%
Total votes 1,267,881 100.0%

General election

Results
2018 Texas Criminal Court of Appeals, Place 8 election[17]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Republican Michelle Slaughter 4,760,576 74.68% -3.38%
Libertarian Mark Ash 1,614,119 25.32% +3.38%
Total votes 6,374,695 100.0%
Republican hold

Texas State Board of Education

Member, District 2

Republican primary

Republican primary results[12]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Republican Charles "Tad" Hasse 31,717 67.12%
Republican Eric Garza 15,536 32.87%
Total votes 47,253 100% +47,253

Democratic primary

Democratic primary results[15]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Democratic Ruben Cortez, Jr. (incumbent) 31,289 52.34% -47.66%
Democratic Michelle Arevalo Davila 28,487 47.65%
Total votes 59,776 100% +15,817

General election

General election results
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Ruben Cortez, Jr. (incumbent) 206,689 53.60%
Republican Charles "Tad" Hasse 178,923 46.40%
Total votes 385,612 100%

Member, District 3

Democratic primary

Democratic primary results[15]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Democratic Marisa B. Perez-Diaz (incumbent) 60,027 75.93% -24.07%
Democratic Dan Arellano 19,022 24.06%
Total votes 79,049 100% +33,721

General election

General election results
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Marisa B. Perez-Diaz (incumbent) 302,242 100%
Total votes 302,242 100%

Member, District 4

Democratic primary

Democratic primary results[15]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Democratic Lawrence Allen Jr. (incumbent) 45,162 66.9% -33.1%
Democratic Steven A. Chambers 22,337 33.09%
Total votes 67,499 100% +41,084

General election

General election results
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Lawrence Allen Jr. (incumbent) 311,590 100%
Total votes 311,590 100%

Member, District 7

Republican primary

Republican primary results
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Republican Matt Robinson 100%
Total votes 100%

Democratic primary

Democratic primary results
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Democratic Elizabeth Markowitz 100%
Total votes 100%

General election

General election results
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Matt Robinson 369,752 59.45%
Democratic Elizabeth Markowitz 252,158 40.55%
Total votes 621,910 100%

Member, District 11

Republican primary

Republican primary results[12]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Republican Patricia "Pat" Hardy (incumbent) 58,796 55.75% +6.18%
Republican Feyi Obamehinti 25,580 24.25%
Republican Cheryl Surber 21,073 19.98%
Total votes 105,449 100% +18,482

Democratic primary

Democratic primary results[15]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Democratic Carla Morton 33,217 57.89%
Democratic Celeste Light 24,156 42.1%
Total votes 57,373 100% +34,520

General election

General election results
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Patricia "Pat" Hardy (incumbent) 366,245 57.16%
Democratic Carla Morton 259,276 40.46%
Libertarian Aaron Gutknecht 15,241 2.38%
Total votes 640,762 100%

Member, District 12

Republican primary

Republican primary results[12]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Pam Little 82,548 100%
Total votes 82,548 100%

Democratic primary

First round
Democratic primary results[15]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Democratic Suzanne Smith 35,460 48.06%
Democratic Laura Malone-Miller 19,426 26.33%
Democratic Tina Green 18,883 25.59%
Total votes 73,769 100% +6,404

Malone-Miller withdrew after the first round, eliminating the need for a runoff.

General election

General election results
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Pam Little 334,584 49.43%
Democratic Suzanne Smith 324,307 47.91%
Libertarian Rachel Wester 18,002 2.66%
Total votes 676,893 100%

Member, District 13

Republican primary

Republican primary results
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Republican A. Denise Russell 100%
Total votes 100%

Democratic primary

Democratic primary results
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Democratic Aicha Davis 100%
Total votes 100%

General election

General election results
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Aicha Davis 309,926 76.32%
Republican A. Denise Russell 96,136 23.68%
Total votes 406,062 100%

Texas Legislature

Every seat in the Texas House of Representatives and about half of the seats in the Texas Senate were up for election.

Texas Senate

Senate Districts and Results
  Republican Hold
  Democratic Hold
  Republican Gain
  Democratic Gain

Texas House of Representatives

House Districts and Results
  Republican Hold
  Democratic Hold
  Democratic Gain

Texas Courts of Appeals

Local trial courts

School boards

Municipal

Controversies

References

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  10. "Milder to Challenge Dan Patrick". The Amarillo Pioneer. Retrieved December 4, 2017.
  11. "Austin native Scott Milder announces bid for Lieutenant Governor". Retrieved December 4, 2017.
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  13. "Mike Collier is the only challenger to Texas' GOP-led government". June 3, 2017.
  14. "Beaumont pastor announces bid for lieutenant governor". News6. May 22, 2017.
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Official Lieutenant Governor campaign websites
Official Attorney General campaign websites
Official Comptroller of Public Accounts campaign websites
Official Commissioner of the General Land Office campaign websites
Official Commissioner of Agriculture campaign websites
Official Railroad Commissioner campaign websites
Official Supreme Court of Texas, Place 2 campaign websites
Official Supreme Court of Texas, Place 4 campaign websites
Official Supreme Court of Texas, Place 6 campaign websites
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