Elections to the Texas Senate were held on November 5, 2024, for 15 of the 31 Senate districts across the state of Texas. Numerous other federal, state, and local elections were held on this date. The winners of this election will serve full four-year terms covering the 89th Texas Legislature and the 90th Texas Legislature. Republicans have held a majority in the Texas Senate since January 14, 1997, as a result of the 1996 elections. Republicans won eight of the fifteen seats up for election, flipping one from the Democrats. Due to the high number of uncontested seats, however, Democratic candidates received more votes statewide than Republican candidates.
During the regular session, the legislature expanded school armed security measures, banned diversity, equity and inclusion offices at universities, and allowed school districts to hire or volunteer chaplains for mental health support for students.[3][4][5] Republican infighting in the House led to the collapse of a school voucher bill during the regular session despite the Senate easily passing it. Governor Greg Abbott vowed to call special sessions until it passed.[6] Efforts to legalize online sports betting and casino gambling found a resurgence in the House late in the session, with a bill to legalize online sports betting passing the House.[7] Neither proposal received any hearings in the Senate due to opposition from lieutenant governorDan Patrick.[8][9]
On May 27, 2023, the House voted 121–23 to impeach attorney generalKen Paxton after a House committee found that he had used taxpayer funds to settle a legal dispute.[10][11][12] The Senate voted to acquit him of all charges in September 2023.[13]
Democrat Nathan Johnson was the only incumbent senator being challenged in the primary elections.[20] Republican Drew Springer's retirement and Democrat John Whitmire's resignation created open races for their seats.[14][16] Democrat Morgan LaMantia was the only senator expected to face a competitive general election.[21]
Predictions
Due to the size of the Republicans' majority and the low number of competitive seats, most analysts consider a change in control of the chamber to be unlikely.
Former Senator, Democrat John Whitmire was elected Mayor of Houston in 2023 and resigned from this seat, creating a vacancy.[16] A special election to fill his unexpired term was held on May 4, 2024, with Molly Cook winning.[17] Cook narrowly won the Democratic primary runoff for a full term on May 28.[26]
Incumbent Democrat Nathan M. Johnson is running for re-election. He defeated state representative Victoria Neave in the Democratic primary and is unopposed in the general election.[20]
Incumbent Democrat Morgan LaMantia is running for re-election. She faces a rematch against Republican Adam Hinojosa, whom she narrowly defeated in 2022.[27][28] This race is the only one in the state expected to have a competitive general election.[21] Hinojosa has been endorsed by former Democratic senator Eddie Lucio Jr., who held the seat before LaMantia, citing Hinojosa's pro-life position on abortion.[29]
↑ CNalysis has two separate sets of predictions: Classic (Analyst ratings only), and Expanded (Classic alongside recent statewide election results). This table uses the Classic set.
↑ Elected in a May 4, 2024, special election to fill incumbent vacancy left by Democrat John Whitmire, who resigned to become Mayor of Houston on December 31, 2023.
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