1990 Texas gubernatorial election

Last updated

1990 Texas gubernatorial election
Flag of Texas.svg
←  1986 November 6, 1990 1994  →
  Ann Richards, Governor of Texas.jpg
Nominee Ann Richards Clayton Williams
Party Democratic Republican
Popular vote1,925,6701,826,431
Percentage49.5%46.9%
1990 Texas gubernatorial election results map by county.svg
County results
Richards:     40–50%     50–60%     60–70%     70–80%     80–90%
Williams:     40–50%     50–60%     60–70%     70–80%
Governor before election

Bill Clements
Republican

Elected Governor

Ann Richards
Democratic

The 1990 Texas gubernatorial election was held on November 6, 1990, to elect the governor of Texas. Incumbent Republican Governor Bill Clements did not run for re-election, so the election pitted Democrat Ann Richards against Republican Clayton Williams. Richards narrowly defeated Williams on Election Day, winning 49.5% of the vote to Williams' 46.9%. As of 2024, this is also the most recent time the Democratic candidate has carried Collingsworth, Childress, Wilbarger, Wichita, Archer, Throckmorton, Montague, Wise, Tarrant, Grayson, Lamar, Hopkins, Titus, Bowie, Harrison, Panola, Shelby, Jasper, Hardin, Angelina, Polk, Houston, Madison, Walker, Kaufman, Navarro, Henderson, Hill, McLennan, Williamson, Burleson, Waller, and Refugio counties. As of 2024, this is the last time a Democrat or a woman was elected Governor of Texas, as well as the most recent Texas gubernatorial election in which both major parties' nominees have since died.

Contents

Republican primary

Candidates

Declined

T. Boone Pickens, CEO of Mesa Petroleum in Amarillo, was considered a likely candidate for much of 1989. However, on August 30, 1989, Pickens announced at a luncheon in Dallas that he would not run for the governorship in 1990. But Pickens, who also announced he would be relocating from Amarillo to Dallas, said he would consider a run for the governorship in 1994. [1]

George W. Bush, who had just become part owner of the Texas Rangers baseball club, also declined to run for governor after briefly exploring a run for the governorship in 1990. He did so on the advice of his mother. [2] [3]

Results

Republican primary results [4]
PartyCandidateVotes%
Republican Clayton Williams 520,014 60.80
Republican Kent Hance 132,14214.35
Republican Tom Luce 115,83513.54
Republican Jack Rains 82,4619.64
Republican W. N. Otwell2,3100.27
Republican Royce X. Owens1,3920.16
Republican Ed Cude1,0770.13
Total votes855,231 100.00

Democratic primary

Candidates

Results

Democratic primary results
PartyCandidateVotes%
Democratic Ann Richards 580,191 39.01
Democratic Jim Mattox 546,103 38.72
Democratic Mark White 288,16119.38
Democratic Theresa Hearn-Haynes31,3952.11
Democratic Earl Holmes17,9041.20
Democratic Stanley Adams16,1181.08
Democratic Ray Rachal9,3880.63
Total votes1,487,734 100.00

Runoff

Democratic primary runoff results
PartyCandidateVotes%
Democratic Ann Richards 640,995 57.09
Democratic Jim Mattox 481,73942.91
Total votes1,122,734 100.00

General election

Campaign

Williams handily won the Republican primary. Williams's vote total exceeded that of his nearest challenger, former Congressman and soon-to-be-former Railroad Commissioner Kent Hance by more than 45 percentage points. Meanwhile, Democrat Ann Richards placed first in a six-person primary that included Texas Attorney General Jim Mattox and former governor Mark White, the latter of whom sought to return to the governor's mansion four years after losing his bid to remain Governor of Texas.

Williams spent freely from his personal fortune, running a "Good Old Boy" campaign initially appealing to conservatives. [5] Prior to a series of gaffes, he was leading Richards (the race was dubbed "Claytie vs. The Lady") [6] in the polls and was in striking distance of becoming only the second Republican governor of Texas since Reconstruction. Meanwhile, Libertarian nominee Jeff Daiell was launching a TV campaign which, combined with personal appearances across Texas, boosted him to a showing of 129,128 votes. His drawing power made Richards the first Texas governor in many years elected without a majority. [7]

In one of his widely publicized missteps, Williams refused to shake hands with Ann Richards in a public debate, an act seen as uncouth. Earlier, Williams made an infamous joke to reporters, likening bad weather to rape, having quipped: "If it's inevitable, just relax and enjoy it". [8] In addition, it has been claimed that as an undergraduate at Texas A&M, he had participated in visits to the Chicken Ranch, a well-known Texas brothel in La Grange, and the Boy's Towns of Mexico. [9] [10] As a result of his reported comments, Williams was occasionally parodied, such as in the mock political ad, "Satan Williams", which appeared on Dallas/Fort Worth public television during the 1990 campaign season. [11] Richards was sworn-in as the 45th Governor of Texas on January 15, 1991.

Results

General election results
PartyCandidateVotes%
Democratic Ann Richards 1,925,670 49.47%
Republican Clayton Williams 1,826,43146.92%
Libertarian Jeff Daiell129,1283.32%
Total votes3,881,229 100.00%
Democratic gain from Republican

Videos

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ann Richards</span> American politician (1933–2006)

Dorothy Ann Richards was an American politician who served as the 45th governor of Texas from 1991 to 1995. A Democrat, she first came to national attention as the Texas State Treasurer, when she gave the keynote address at the 1988 Democratic National Convention. Richards was the second female governor of Texas, and was frequently noted in the media for her outspoken feminism and her one-liners.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mark White (Texas politician)</span> American politician (1940–2017)

Mark Wells White Jr. was an American politician and lawyer who served as the 43rd governor of Texas from 1983 to 1987. He also held office as Secretary of State of Texas (1973–1977), and as Texas Attorney General (1979–1983).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kent Hance</span> American politician

Kent Ronald Hance is an American politician and lawyer who is the former Chancellor of the Texas Tech University System. In his role, he oversaw Texas Tech University, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center and Angelo State University in San Angelo, Texas. He is also a lobbyist and lawyer. Hance is the only person to defeat future President George W. Bush and became a Democratic member of the United States House of Representatives from West Texas, having served from 1979 to 1985. After his congressional service, he switched to the Republican Party and in both 1986 and 1990 ran for governor of Texas, losing in the primary election.

Clayton Wheat "Claytie" Williams Jr. was an American businessman from Midland, Texas who ran for governor in 1990. Despite securing the Republican nomination and initially leading in the polls against Democratic challenger State Treasurer Ann Richards by twenty points, Williams ultimately lost the race due in part to a comment he made about rape. During the campaign Williams cultivated an image of a cowboy figure who had risen from humble roots to become a powerful business tycoon. The image played well in public opinion polls. Williams often had a propensity for making poorly planned statements on the campaign trail.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jim Mattox</span> American politician

James Albon Mattox was an American lawyer and politician who served three terms in the United States House of Representatives and two four-year terms as state attorney general, but lost high-profile races for governor in 1990, the U.S. Senate in 1994, and again as attorney general in 1998. He was a member of the Democratic Party.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2002 Texas gubernatorial election</span> American election

The 2002 Texas gubernatorial election was held on November 5, 2002, to elect the governor of Texas. Incumbent Republican Governor Rick Perry, who had ascended to the governorship after the resignation of George W. Bush to become President of the United States, was elected to his first full term in office, winning 58% of the vote to Democrat Tony Sanchez's 40%.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">1994 Texas gubernatorial election</span> American election

The 1994 Texas gubernatorial election was held on November 8, 1994, to elect the governor of Texas. Incumbent Democratic Governor Ann Richards was defeated in her bid for re-election by Republican nominee and future President George W. Bush, the son of former President George H. W. Bush.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2002 United States gubernatorial elections</span>

United States gubernatorial elections were held on November 5, 2002, in 36 states and two territories. The Republicans won eight seats previously held by the Democrats, as well as the seat previously held by Minnesota governor Jesse Ventura, who was elected on the Reform Party ticket but had since renounced his party affiliation. The Democrats won 10 seats previously held by the Republicans, as well as the seat previously held by Maine governor Angus King, an independent. The elections were held concurrently with the other United States elections of 2002.

Daniel C. Morales is an American politician. He served as the 48th Attorney General of Texas from January 15, 1991, through January 13, 1999, during the administrations of Governors Ann Richards and George W. Bush. As Attorney General, Morales reached a $17 billion settlement with big tobacco companies.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Governorship of George W. Bush</span>

George W. Bush served as the 46th governor of Texas from 1995 until 2000, when he resigned as governor amid his transition into the U.S. presidency after having been elected president in the 2000 United States presidential election. As governor, Bush successfully sponsored legislation for tort reform, increased education funding, set higher standards for schools, and reformed the criminal justice system. Bush also pioneered faith-based welfare programs and helped make Texas the leading producer of wind powered electricity in the US.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2010 Texas gubernatorial election</span> Election for the governorship of the U.S. state of Texas

The 2010 Texas gubernatorial election was held on Tuesday, November 2, 2010, to elect the governor of Texas. Incumbent Republican Governor Rick Perry ran successfully for election to a third consecutive term. He won the Republican primary against U.S. Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison and political newcomer, Debra Medina. The former mayor of Houston, Bill White, won the Democratic nomination. Kathie Glass, a lawyer from Houston and previous candidate for Texas Attorney General, won the Libertarian nomination. Deb Shafto was the nominee of the Texas Green Party. Andy Barron, an orthodontist from Lubbock, was a declared write-in candidate.

Jack Morris Rains was an American attorney in Houston, Texas, who was the 95th Secretary of State of Texas, having served from 1987 to 1989. He left the position to contest unsuccessfully for the Republican gubernatorial nomination in 1990. He lost to businessman Clayton W. Williams, Jr., of Midland, who was then narrowly defeated in the general election by the Democrat Ann Willis Richards, then the state treasurer. Other candidates in the field with Rains and Williams were Kent Hance, a former congressman and previously a Democrat, and Tom Luce, a Dallas lawyer.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hilton Anatole</span> Hotel in Dallas, Texas

The Hilton Anatole is a Dallas hotel at 2201 Stemmons Freeway in the Market Center district just north of downtown Dallas, Texas. Featuring 1,606 guest rooms, it is one of the largest hotels in the South and is a major convention and meeting facility. Over 1,000 art objects, including a casting of Riding Into the Sunset and two sections of the Berlin Wall, are located throughout the resort setting. The hotel previously featured the five-star Nana Restaurant, but it closed in May 2012 due to decreased demand for fine dining restaurants and was replaced with a high-energy steak house, SĒR.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">1986 Texas gubernatorial election</span> American election

The 1986 Texas gubernatorial election was held on November 4, 1986, to elect the governor of Texas. The election was a rematch of the 1982 election, as incumbent Democratic Governor Mark White ran for reelection against former Republican Governor Bill Clements. Clements was elected to a second, non-consecutive term as governor, winning 53% of the vote to White's 46%. As of 2023, this is the last time Grimes and Chambers counties have voted for the Democratic nominee for governor.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2014 Texas elections</span>

The 2014 general election was held in the U.S. state of Texas on November 4, 2014. 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. Primary elections were held on March 4, 2014. Primary runoffs, required if no candidate wins a majority of the vote, were held on May 27, 2014. Elections were also held for the Texas legislature and proposition 1, seeking funds for Texas highways.

Jack Martin is an entrepreneur, businessman, and rancher. He previously served as the global executive chairman and chief executive officer of Hill+Knowlton Strategies, a global public relations consultancy, and as a Democratic consultant. Martin is a former chairman of the Texas State University System Board of Regents and has served on the LBJ Foundation's board of trustees. The foundation supports the LBJ Presidential Library and LBJ School of Public Affairs. Jack Martin also served as the Chairman of the Board of Trustees for Baylor Scott and White hospital system. Martin is also a member of the Texas Business Hall of Fame.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2022 Texas gubernatorial election</span> Election for governor of Texas

The 2022 Texas gubernatorial election took place on November 8, 2022, to elect the governor of Texas. Incumbent Republican governor Greg Abbott won re-election to a third term, defeating Democratic nominee and former Congressman, Beto O'Rourke. All statewide elected offices are currently held by Republicans. In his previous gubernatorial race in 2018, Abbott won with 55.8% of the vote.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kenn George</span> American businessman and ambassador (born 1948)

Kenneth Suggeet George II is an American businessman, politician and diplomat who served as the United States Ambassador to Uruguay from September 2, 2019 to January 20, 2021.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">1948 Texas gubernatorial election</span> American election

The 1948 Texas gubernatorial election was held on November 2, 1948.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">1946 Texas gubernatorial election</span>

The 1946 Texas gubernatorial election was held on November 5, 1946.

References

  1. ↑ "Pickens Decides Not to Run for Governor of Texas". Los Angeles Times. August 31, 1989.
  2. ↑ Galveston Daily News, April 29, 1989, p. 7.
  3. ↑ Hart, Patricia Kilday (April 1, 1989). "Don't Call Him Junior". Texas Monthly.
  4. ↑ Texas Alamac
  5. ↑ Texas Since World War II , Handbook of Texas Online, Robert A. Calvert.
  6. ↑ New book relates wild political, personal life of Clayton Williams Archived 2007-09-27 at the Wayback Machine
  7. ↑ 1990 Gubernatorial General Election Results – Texas
  8. ↑ "Texas Candidate's Comment About Rape Causes a Furor". The New York Times . March 26, 1990.
  9. ↑ New book relates wild political, personal life of Clayton Williams Archived 2007-09-27 at the Wayback Machine , LubbockOnline.com, Kelly Shannon, August 14, 2007
  10. ↑ Trick Town, Dallas Observer, Joe Pappalardo, May 31, 2001.
  11. ↑ "KERA "Voters' Revenge" videos frightfully pointed". The Dallas Morning News . October 31, 1990.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.