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1996 Texas House of Representatives election

← 1994 November 5, 1996 1998 →
All 150 seats in the Texas House of Representatives 76 seats needed for a majority
Majority party Minority party   Leader Pete Laney Tom Craddick Party Democratic Republican Leader since January 12, 1993 January 9, 1973 Leader's seat 85th 82nd Last election 89 61 Seats before 87 63 Seats won 82 68 Seat change 5 5 Popular vote 2,015,951 2,502,499 Percentage 44.18% 54.84% Swing 3.94% 3.85%
Results by seat gains Results by vote share     Democratic hold      Democratic gain      Republican hold      Republican gain Democratic:      40–50%      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%      80–90%      ≥90% Republican:      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%      80–90%      ≥90%
Speaker before election Pete Laney Democratic Elected Speaker Pete Laney Democratic

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Government
v t e

The 1996 Texas House of Representatives elections took place as part of the biennial United States elections. Texas voters elected state representatives in all 150 State House of Representatives districts. The winners of this election served in the 75th Texas Legislature. State representatives serve for two-year terms. Republicans gained five seats from the Democrats, reducing the Democratic majority to 82 out of 150 seats.

Background

Democrats had held control of the Texas House of Representatives since Reconstruction. After the 1994 elections, Republican governor George W. Bush appointed Democratic Representative Elton Bomer of the 11th district as the state insurance commissioner. In the ensuing special election, Republican Todd Staples narrowly avoided a runoff, defeating two Democrats to flip the seat. Later in 1995, Representative Warren Chisum of the 88th district switched from the Democratic Party to the Republican Party.

Redistricting

Democrats had fully controlled the redistricting process in 1991, and Republicans sued over the Texas House's map. The courts partially overhauled the map as a result of these lawsuits. Democrats codified the court's map into law in a January 1992 special session. The 1995 lawsuit Thomas v. Bush further altered the maps, as the courts reached a settlement with the legislature to alter the several districts in Harris, Dallas, and Bexar Counties for the 1996 elections.

Results

Despite having hopes of winning control of the chamber from the Democrats due to Texas's increasing Republican lean, Republicans only flipped five seats.

Statewide

Summary of the November 5, 1996 Texas House of Representatives election results

Party		Candidates	Votes	%	Seats	+/–
	Democratic Party	100	2,015,951	44.18%	82	5
	Republican Party	107	2,502,499	54.84%	68	5
	Natural Law Party	8	23,023	0.50%	0	–
	Libertarian Party	9	20,619	0.45%	0	–
	Independent	1	673	0.01%	0	–
	Write-in	1	345	0.01%	0	–
Total			4,563,110	100.00%	150	–

Close races

1. District 59, 0.04%
2. District 9, 1.04% (gain)
3. District 60, 1.18% (gain)
4. District 32, 2.00% (gain)
5. District 138, 2.02%
6. District 70, 2.30%
7. District 17, 2.62%
8. District 54, 5.58% (gain)
9. District 4, 5.76%
10. District 20, 6.06%
11. District 29, 6.88% (tipping-point district)
12. District 58, 7.84%
13. District 62, 7.88% (gain)
14. District 28, 9.76%

Results by district

References

1. Stutz, Terrence (January 4, 1995). "Bush picks Democrat to insurance post Rep. Bomer named; interim official urged to delay hearing on anti-bias rules". The Dallas Morning News. pp. 1A. ProQuest 282959002. Retrieved June 4, 2023.
2. "Republican wins District 11 seat in special vote". Houston Chronicle. February 13, 1995. p. 15.
3. Attlesey, Sam (June 27, 1995). "Laughlin, tops list of converts to GOP He says switch is about principles". The Dallas Morning News. pp. 11A. ProQuest 282875840. Retrieved June 4, 2023.
4. ^ "History". redistricting.capitol.texas.gov. Retrieved March 16, 2023.
5. Bickerstaff, Steve (2020). Heath, C. Robert (ed.). Gerrymandering Texas. Lubbock, Texas: Texas Tech University Press. p. 124. ISBN 978-1-68283-073-4.
6. Bickerstaff, Heath 2020, p. 127
7. Ratcliffe, R.G. (September 16, 1995). "Temporary redistricting plan OK'd/Order to affect elections in 1996". The Houston Chronicle. p. 32.
8. Knaggs, John (November 11, 1995). "Republicans see chance of Legislature control". Austin American Statesman. pp. A. 13. Retrieved June 17, 2023.
9. "1996 General Election". elections.sos.state.tx.us. November 5, 1996. Retrieved June 5, 2023.

• 1996 Texas elections
• 1996 state legislature elections in the United States
• Texas House of Representatives elections