AUSTIN — Republicans gained two seats in the Texas House and one seat in the Texas Senate in Tuesday’s election, tightening their already strong grip on the Legislature for the next two years.
The slightly stronger majorities should help Republicans pass a wish list of conservative legislation that includes additional property tax cuts, increased border security and spending public money on private schools.
In the Texas House, Republicans will have an 88-62 majority when lawmakers are sworn in Jan. 14, the start of the 140-day regular session.
The split in the Texas Senate will be 20-11 in favor of Republicans.
“Texans sent a clear message: they want safer streets, a secure border, a strong economy, and the opportunity to choose the best school for their children,” Gov. Greg Abbott said Tuesday night in response to Republican gains.
Of the 88 GOP legislators in the House next session, 26 will be serving their first two-year terms thanks to retirements and successful primary challenges, particularly after Abbott targeted Republican incumbents who blocked his school choice priority, which would have let some families use state money for private school costs.
Most of the newly elected Republicans were self-described “reform” candidates who believe leadership changes are needed after too many conservative bills failed in the House. Speaker Dade Phelan, the Beaumont Republican who leads the House, is seeking a third term as speaker but faces a challenge from within his party.
Democrats poured several million dollars into a dozen House races in hopes of whittling away at the Republican majority. It didn’t work.
House Republicans instead flipped two open South Texas seats after longtime Democratic lawmakers retired.
Rep. Abel Herrero, D-Robstown, declined to seek a 10th term in his Corpus Christi-area district. On Tuesday, Republican Denise Villalobos, an oil and gas engineer, defeated Democrat Solomon Ortiz Jr. by 10 percentage points.
Republicans also picked up the seat held by longtime Uvalde Rep. Tracy King. Republican Don McLaughlin Jr., a former Uvalde mayor, defeated Democrat Cecilia Castellano by 19 percentage points.
In the Texas Senate, Republicans added to their majority by flipping a South Texas seat when Republican Adam Hinojosa defeated Sen. Morgan LaMantia, R-South Padre Island, by 1.1 percentage points. Green Party candidate Robin Lee Vargas carried 2.33% of the vote in a Gulf Coast district stretching from Brownsville to Port Aransas.
The three flipped House and Senate districts have a high Hispanic population, reflecting significant Republican gains made this year with Hispanic voters.
Rep. Tom Oliverson, chair of the Texas House Republican Caucus, said lawmakers donating and campaigning for fellow Republicans helped solidify the victories.
“Members helping their colleagues not only helped Republicans claim victories, but also brought us together as a caucus,” Oliverson said in a statement.
Democrats were left searching for a silver lining.
Rep. Trey Martinez Fischer of San Antonio, chair of the Texas House Democratic Caucus, said no incumbent House Democrat lost Tuesday despite an aggressive Republican push.
He pointed to victories by Democratic Reps. Mihaela Plesa of Plano and Eddie Morales of Eagle Pass.
Abbott’s campaign donated more than $202,800 to Morales’ opponent, Robert Garza, and more than $17,800 to Plesa’s opponent, Steve Kinard. The governor also traveled to Eagle Pass on Oct. 24 to campaign with Garza.
“This speaks volumes about the resilience and strength of our caucus and of the communities that stand behind us,” Martinez Fischer said in a statement. “We’ve built something powerful here, something that will not only endure but grow.”
