United States Senate election in Texas, 2012

United States Senate election in Texas, 2012
Texas
November 6, 2012
Turnout 49.7% (voting eligible)[1]
 
Nominee Ted Cruz Paul Sadler
Party Republican Democratic
Popular vote 4,440,137 3,194,927
Percentage 56.5% 40.6%

County results
U.S. Senator before election

Kay Bailey Hutchison
Republican

 Elected U.S. Senator

Ted Cruz
Republican

The 2012 United States Senate election in Texas was held on November 6, 2012, along with other elections to the United States Senate the United States House of Representatives in additional states. Incumbent Republican U.S. Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison decided to retire instead of running for re-election to a fourth full term.

Libertarian John Jay Myers was elected by nomination at the Texas Libertarian Party State Convention on June 8, 2012. After the first round of primary on May 29, 2012, a runoff was held on July 31, 2012, for both the Democratic and Republican parties, with Paul Sadler and Ted Cruz winning, respectively. Cruz won the open seat.

Background

In an interview with Texas Monthly published in December 2007, incumbent senator Kay Bailey Hutchison stated that she would not seek re-election and might also resign from the Senate as early as 2009 to run for Governor of Texas.[2] After the 2008 elections, Hutchison formed an exploratory committee to run for governor in 2010.[3] State Republican Party Chairman Cathie Adams later called upon Hutchison to clarify when she would vacate the Senate so that other Republican candidates could make preparations to run.[4]

On December 4, 2008, Hutchison set up an exploratory committee, setting up a primary battle with incumbent Republican governor Rick Perry.[5] Fellow Texas senator and National Republican Senatorial Committee Chairman John Cornyn tried to convince Hutchison to stay in the Senate, for fear of losing the seat to the Democrats.[6] On January 15, 2009, Hutchison transferred nearly all the money, approximately $8 million, from her federal campaign account to her gubernatorial exploratory committee.[7] On November 13, 2009, Hutchison announced that she would not resign from the Senate seat until after the primary on March 2, 2010.[8]

Hutchison lost the gubernatorial primary to Perry and on March 31, 2010, she announced her intention to serve out her third term.[9] On January 13, 2011, after some discussion about whether she would change her mind,[10] Hutchison announced she would not seek re-election in 2012.[11]

Requirements for nomination

Texas requires a majority for nomination, and a second round runoff between the two candidates with the two highest pluralities if none win a majority on the first round.[12] No candidate won a majority in either 2012 major party first round primary, so both parties had a runoff on July 31, 2012.

Republican primary

Candidates

Declared

Withdrew

Declined

Endorsements

Polling

Poll source Date(s)
administered		 Sample
size		 Margin of
error		 Ted
Cruz		 David
Dewhurst		 Craig
James		 Tom
Leppert		 Lela
Pittenger		 Other Undecided
Public Policy Polling May 22–23, 2012 482 ± 4.5% 29% 46% 5% 15% — 2% 5%
BOR/People Calling People May 15–16, 2012 557 ± 4.2% 30% 43% 5% 14% 4% 3%[58] —
UoT/Texas Tribune May 2012 274 ± 5.92% 31% 40% 4% 17% 3% 4%[59] 2%
DWBS April 27–30, 2012 400 ± 4.5% 16% 51% 2% 7% — — 24%
Public Policy Polling April 19–22, 2012 400 ± 4.9% 26% 38% 7% 8% — 22%
UoT/Texas Tribune February 8–15, 2012 366 ± 5.12% 27% 38% 7% 7% 1% 20%[60] —
Public Policy Polling January 12–15, 2012 559 ± 4.2% 18% 36% 4% 7% 1% 3%[61] 31%
Baselice & Associates • Oct. 31–Nov. 2, 2011 600 ± 4% 6% 50% — 9% — — 35%
Poll source Date(s)
administered		 Sample
size		 Margin of
error		 Ted
Cruz		 David
Dewhurst		 Elizabeth
Ames Jones		 Tom
Leppert		 Dan
Patrick		 Michael
Williams		 Roger
Williams		 Other Undecided
UoT/Texas Tribune October 19–26, 2011 800 ± 4.93% 10% 22% 2% 5% — — — 12%[62] 50%
Public Policy Polling September 15–18, 2011 400 ± 4.9% 12% 41% 7% 6% — — — — 34%
Public Policy Polling June 25–27, 2011 400 ± 4.9% 11% 40% 3% 5% 11% — 2% 2%[63] 26%
DWBS + June 4–5, 2011 450 ± 4.62% 2% — 4% 11% 19% — 6% — 58%
6% — — — 29% — — — 64%
Texas Lyceum May 24–31, 2011 147 ± 8.08% 1% 27% 2% 3% — 0% 4% 3%[64] 56%[65]
UoT/Texas Tribune May 11–18, 2011 388 ± 4.98% 2% 25% 1% 4% — 6% 2% — —
UoT/Texas Tribune February 11–17, 2011 374 ± 5.07% 3% 27% 2% – — 5% 2% 9%[66] 52%
Public Policy Polling January 14–16, 2011 400 ± 4.9% 3% 23% 6% 3% — 3% 1% 42%[67] 19%

Results

Republican primary results[68]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican David Dewhurst 624,170 44.6
Republican Ted Cruz 479,079 34.2
Republican Tom Leppert 186,675 13.3
Republican Craig James 50,211 3.6
Republican Glenn Addison 22,888 1.6
Republican Lela Pittenger 18,028 1.3
Republican Ben Gambini 7,193 0.5
Republican Curt Cleaver 6,649 0.5
Republican Joe Argis 4,558 0.3
Total votes 1,399,451 100

Runoff

Polling

Poll source Date(s)
administered		 Sample
size		 Margin of
error		 Ted
Cruz		 David
Dewhurst		 Undecided
Public Policy Polling July 28–29, 2012 665 ±3.8% 52% 42% 6%
Public Policy Polling July 10–11, 2012 468 ±4.5% 49% 44% 7%
Wenzel Strategies July 10–11, 2012 600 ±4% 47% 38% 14%
Public Policy Polling May 22–23, 2012 482 ±4.5% 34% 59% 7%

Results

Republican runoff results[69]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Ted Cruz 631,316 56.8
Republican David Dewhurst 480,165 43.2
Total votes 1,111,481 100

Democratic primary

Candidates

Filed

Withdrew

Declined

Polling

Poll source Date(s)
administered		 Sample
size		 Margin of
error		 Addie
Allen		 Sean
Hubbard		 Paul
Sadler		 Grady
Yarbrough		 Others
University of Texas/Texas Tribune May 2012 234 ±6.41% 22% 22% 35% 12% Don't know (9%)

Results

Democratic primary results[86]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Paul Sadler 174,020 35.1
Democratic Grady Yarbrough 128,058 25.8
Democratic Addie Allen 113,447 22.9
Democratic Sean Hubbard 80,037 16.2
Total votes 495,562 100

Runoff

Democratic runoff results[87]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Paul Sadler 148,805 63.1
Democratic Grady Yarbrough 87,090 36.9
Total votes 235,895 100

Libertarian nomination

The Libertarian Party was qualified for the ballot (based on its 2010 performance at the polls). The Texas Libertarian Party nominated John Jay Myers as its Senate candidate, using approval voting on June 9 at the state convention in Fort Worth. The nominating process followed a two round debate featuring six candidates for the nomination.

Candidates

Results

Libertarian convention approval vote[90]
Party Candidate Votes %
Libertarian John Jay Myers 97 78.9
Libertarian Scott Jameson 28 22.8
Libertarian John Roland 27 21.9
Libertarian Robert Butler 19 15.4
Libertarian S. Ropal Raju 3 2.4
Libertarian Wayne Huffman 2 1.6
Total ballots 123 143%[91]
Total votes 176

Green party nomination

The Green Party of Texas reported two candidates pre-selected at the June 9 convention:[92] David B. Collins and Victoria Ann Zabaras. David Collins was ultimately nominated (official blog).

General election

Candidates

Debates

Fundraising

Candidate (party) Receipts Disbursements Cash on hand Debt
Ted Cruz (R) $9,053,212 $7,600,914 $1,452,297 $795,000
Paul Sadler (D) $139,197 $108,442 $30,753 $12,197
John Jay Myers (L) $6,139 $547 $5,591 $0
Source: Federal Election Commission[96][97][98]

Top contributors

[99]

Paul Sadler Contribution Ted Cruz Contribution
Communications Workers of America $5,000 Club for Growth $659,777
International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers $5,000 Senate Conservatives Fund $200,549
International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers $5,000 Morgan, Lewis & Bockius $41,600
United Transportation Union $5,000 Goldman Sachs $40,750
Velvin Oil Co $5,000 RE Janes Gravel Co $37,500
3-D Secure $2,500 Woodforest National Bank $37,000
American Federation of Teachers $2,500 Jones Day $34,900
Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers $2,500 Bartlit, Beck, Herman, Palenchar & Scott $36,350
Galyean Lp $2,500 Baker Botts $32,313
University of Houston $2,500 Crow Holdings $30,000

Top industries

[100]

Paul Sadler Contribution Ted Cruz Contribution
Industrial Unions $15,000 Republican/Conservative $825,098
Lawyers/Law Firms $9,000 Lawyers/Law Firms $551,662
Transportation Unions $7,500 Retired $437,961
Retired $7,500 Oil & Gas $325,850
Public Sector Unions $2,500 Financial Institutions $305,110
Financial Institutions $2,500 Real Estate $240,300
Education $2,500 Leadership PACs $235,549
Candidate Committees $2,000 Misc Finance $185,700
Lobbyists $1,000 Health Professionals $155,880
Civil Servants/Public Officials $500 Misc Business $148,874

Polling

Poll source Date(s)
administered		 Sample
size		 Margin of
error		 Ted
Cruz (R)		 Paul
Sadler (D)		 John Jay
Myers (L)		 Undecided
University of Texas/Texas Tribune October 15–20, 2012 540 ± 4.22% 54% 39% — 7%
Texas Lyceum September 10–26, 2012 1,175 ± 2.83% 50% 24% — 26%
YouGov September 14, 2012 1,201 ± 2.8% 50% 31% — 19%
Frederick Polling September 2012 700 ± 3.7% 49% 32% 6% 14%
Public Policy Polling April 19–22, 2012 591 ± 4.0% 44% 34% — 22%
Public Policy Polling January 12–15, 2012 700 ± 3.7% 41% 31% — 28%

Results

United States Senate election in Texas, 2012
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Republican Ted Cruz 4,456,599 56.60% -5.10%
Democratic Paul Sadler 3,183,314 40.50% +4.50%
Libertarian John Jay Myers 161,462 2.10% -0.2%
Green David Collins 67,791 0.9%
Majority 1,273,285 16.10%
Turnout 7,869,166
Republican hold Swing

See also

References

  1. ↑ Dr. Michael McDonald (February 9, 2013). "2012 General Election Turnout Rates". George Mason University. Retrieved April 6, 2013.
  2. ↑ Smith, Evan (December 2008). "Kay Bailey Hutchison". Texas Monthly. Retrieved December 19, 2010.
  3. ↑ "Hutchison ponders 'what ifs' of Texas governor run". USA Today. Associated Press. November 6, 2008. Retrieved December 19, 2010.
  4. ↑ "Cathie Adams refuses to withdraw endorsement of Rick (Perry)". ricvskay.blogspot.com, October 26, 2009. Retrieved October 28, 2009.
  5. ↑ Johnson, Sasha (December 4, 2008). "Hutchison move sets up possible Texas primary fight". CNN. Retrieved December 19, 2010.
  6. ↑ Blake, Aaron (January 14, 2009). "Cornyn urges Hutchison to stay, keep Texas seat red". The Hill. Retrieved December 19, 2010.
  7. ↑ Wilson, Reid (January 15, 2009). "Hutchison transfers millions to gubernatorial account". The Hill. Retrieved December 19, 2010.
  8. ↑ Root, Jay (November 13, 2010). "Hutchison won't resign seat before Texas primary". The Seattle Times. The Associated Press.
  9. ↑ "Texas GOP Sen. Hutchison to stay in Senate". News 8 Austin (TWEAN News Channel of Austin, L.P.). March 31, 2010.
  10. ↑ Benning, Tom (May 28, 2010). "Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison undecided on running, but foes aren't". Dallasnews.com (Dallas Morning News).
  11. ↑ 11.0 11.1 Janda, Greg (January 13, 2011). "Sen. Hutchison Won't Run for Re-Election in 2012". KXAS-TV (NBC Universal, Inc.).
  12. ↑ Texas Election Code - Section 172.003. Majority Vote Required - Texas Attorney Resources - Texas Laws
  13. ↑ "Addison announces candidacy for Senate".
  14. ↑ Texans Have a Voice in 2012 Presidential Primary at State-Wide “Saddle Up” Straw Poll in Houston Jan 12 – 14 | Texas GOP Vote
  15. ↑ "candidate's website".
  16. ↑ "Ted Cruz for U.S. Senate". Retrieved July 15, 2011.
  17. ↑ Grissom, Brandi (January 19, 2011). "Former Solicitor General Ted Cruz Joins Senate Race". The Texas Tribune. Retrieved January 19, 2011.
  18. ↑ "Texas Lt. Gov. Enters Race for US Senate". Boston Globe. July 19, 2011. Retrieved July 19, 2011.
  19. ↑ "Candidates for United States Senator". Republican Party of Texas. Retrieved January 26, 2012.
  20. ↑ Dewhurst files for U.S. Senate, race to succeed Hutchison taking shape | kvue.com Austin
  21. ↑ Vertuno, Jim (December 19, 2011). "ESPN Football Analyst Craig James Runs for Senate". Google News. Associated Press.
  22. ↑ Watson, Brad (February 25, 2011). "Leppert says he is running for U.S. Senate". WFAA-TV. Retrieved February 25, 2011.
  23. ↑ "Lela Pittenger for U.S. Senate". Retrieved July 15, 2011.
  24. ↑ Jaffe, Alexandra (November 7, 2011). "Elizabeth Ames Jones leaves U.S. Senate race to run for State Senate". Houston Chronicle. Retrieved November 7, 2011.
  25. ↑ "Florence Shapiro Drops Run for U.S. Senate". The Texas Tribune. March 31, 2011. Retrieved December 24, 2011.
  26. ↑ "Williams drops Senate race to run for Congress". Houston Chronicle. June 22, 2011. Retrieved June 22, 2011.
  27. ↑ Ramsey, Ross (June 28, 2011). "Williams Drops Senate Bid to Run for Congress". Texas Tribune. Retrieved June 28, 2011.
  28. ↑ "Robert Paul Says Texas Senate Bid Unlikely". Fox News. April 22, 2011. Retrieved December 24, 2011.
  29. ↑ "Rep. Ron Paul on a 2012 Senate run: 'It's certainly crossed my mind'". The Hill (newspaper). January 19, 2011. Retrieved December 24, 2011.
  30. ↑ "Dan Patrick Won't Run for U.S. Senate". The Texas Tribune. September 7, 2011. Retrieved December 24, 2011.
  31. ↑ Ariel Edwards-Levy (May 10, 2012). "Sarah Palin Endorses Ted Cruz For U.S. Senate In Texas". Yahoo. Retrieved August 4, 2013.
  32. ↑ Austin news, sports, weather, Longhorns, business | Statesman.com
  33. ↑ 33.0 33.1 33.2 33.3 33.4 33.5 33.6 33.7 33.8 33.9 33.10 33.11 33.12 33.13 33.14 33.15 33.16 33.17 33.18 33.19 33.20 33.21 33.22 33.23 Ted Cruz for U.S. Senate - Endorsements
  34. ↑ http://www.facebook.com/expandliberty
  35. ↑ DeMint Endorses Ted Cruz in Texas Primary : Roll Call Politics
  36. ↑ Gillman, Todd. "Ted Cruz gets Utah Sen. Mike Lee endorsement for Senate". The Dallas Morning News. Retrieved March 23, 2011.
  37. ↑ Mark Whittington (May 7, 2012). "Ron, Rand Paul Endorse Ted Cruz for Texas Senate Seat". Yahoo. Retrieved August 4, 2013.
  38. ↑ "Santorum endorses Ted Cruz in Texas Senate race".
  39. ↑ 39.0 39.1 39.2 39.3 Will, George F. (June 16, 2011). "In Ted Cruz, a candidate as good as it gets". The Washington Post. Retrieved June 22, 2011.
  40. ↑ "George P. endorses Cruz".
  41. ↑ "Santorum Endorses Cruz, Cites "Wow Factor"".
  42. ↑ "Endorsement: Ted Cruz for TX Senate".
  43. ↑ Tea Party Express | 2012 Endorsements | Tea Party Express
  44. ↑ Gun Owners of America Political Victory Fund Endorses Ted Cruz for Senate | GOA-PVF 2012 Favorites
  45. ↑ Rick Perry Stars in Ad for Dewhurst in Texas Senate Race - Yahoo! News
  46. ↑ 46.0 46.1 46.2 46.3 46.4 46.5 46.6 46.7 46.8 46.9 46.10 46.11 46.12 46.13 46.14 46.15 46.16 46.17 46.18 "Endorsements for David Dewhurst; Dewhurst for Texas". Archived from the original on 2012-10-09. Retrieved 2013-10-09.
  47. ↑ Editorial: Dewhurst deserves GOP nod | Dallas Morning News Editorials - Opinion and Commentary for Dallas, Texas - The Dallas Morning News
  48. ↑ Huck PAC - Blogs - Gov. Huckabee and Huck PAC endorse David Dewhurst for US Senate
  49. ↑ IBAT Endorses David Dewhurst for U.S. Senate | Dewhurst for Texas
  50. ↑ Texas Agricultural Aviation Association endorses Dewhurst for U.S. Senate | Dewhurst for Texas
  51. ↑ Texas Apartment Association endorses Dewhurst for Senate | Dewhurst for Texas
  52. ↑ Texas Association of Business BACPAC endorses Dewhurst for U.S. Senate | Dewhurst for Texas
  53. ↑ Manufacturers Endorse Dewhurst for U.S. Senate | Dewhurst for Texas
  54. ↑ Texas Hospital Association HOSPAC endorses Dewhurst for U.S. Senate | Dewhurst for Texas
  55. ↑ Texas Retailers Association PAC endorses Dewhurst for U.S. Senate | Dewhurst for Texas
  56. ↑ TSPE Endorses David Dewhurst for U.S. Senate | Dewhurst for Texas
  57. ↑ Texas Wildlife Association Endorses Dewhurst for U.S. Senate | Dewhurst for Texas
  58. ↑ Glenn Addison 2%, Curt Cleaver 1%, Joe Agris 0%, Ben Gambini 0%
  59. ↑ Glenn Addison 2%, Joe Agris 1%, Curt Cleaver 1%, Ben Gambini 0%
  60. ↑ Glenn Addison 1%, Curt Cleaver 0%, Charles Holcomb 0%, Other 19%
  61. ↑ Joe Agris 2%, Glenn Addison 1%, Charles Holcomb 0%
  62. ↑ Michael McCaul 5%, Glenn Addison 0%, Another Republican candidate 7%
  63. ↑ Glenn Addison 2%, Lela Pittenger 0%
  64. ↑ Michael McCaul 3%
  65. ↑ Haven't thought much about it 56%
  66. ↑ Michael McCaul 4%, Other 5%
  67. ↑ Ron Paul 21%, Greg Abbott 14%, Joe Barton 7%
  68. ↑ 2012 Republican Party Primary Election - RESULTS
  69. ↑ http://enr.sos.state.tx.us/enr/results/july31_162_state.htm
  70. ↑ 70.0 70.1 Batheja, Aman (May 3, 2012). "Democrats to Take Stage in U.S. Senate Forum". The Texas Tribune. Retrieved May 21, 2012.
  71. ↑ 71.0 71.1 71.2 "Senate races take the spotlight". Fort Worth Star-Telegram. May 12, 2012. Retrieved May 21, 2012.
  72. ↑ Scharrer, Gary (December 19, 2011). "Former rep files for Senate, filling Dem void left by Sanchez". Houston Chronicle. Retrieved December 20, 2011.
  73. ↑ "Boone Enters US House Race Against Smith". Blanco County News. March 14, 2012. Retrieved March 16, 2012.
  74. ↑ "Texas Secretary of State Election Results". July 9, 2012.
  75. ↑ Two Dems to seek Senate nomination - Houston Chronicle
  76. ↑ Embry, Jason (February 2, 2012). "Democrat Gibson drops out of Senate race". Austin American-Statesman. Retrieved February 3, 2012.
  77. ↑ Lederman, Josh (December 16, 2011). "Lone Democrat drops out of Senate race in Texas". The Hill. Retrieved December 16, 2011.
  78. ↑ http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/ap/tx/7639390.html
  79. ↑ "Sheriff Responds To Senate Rumors". KPRC-TV. January 17, 2011. Retrieved January 17, 2011.
  80. ↑ Gillman, Todd J. (August 22, 2010). "Former Dallas Mayor Ron Kirk says he won't run for office ever again". The Dallas Morning News. Retrieved December 19, 2010.
  81. ↑ Moore, Sarah (December 19, 2011). "Nick Lampson running for 14th Congressional District". The Beaumont Enterprise. Retrieved December 19, 2011.
  82. ↑ Kanelis, John (September 3, 2011). "Kanelis: Main event: Staples vs. Combs?". Amarillo Globe-News. Retrieved September 3, 2011.
  83. ↑ Bartlett, Martin (January 13, 2011). "Hutchison's retirement makes way for GOP hopefuls". KVUE.com. Retrieved December 24, 2011.
  84. ↑ Olson, Bradley; Ratcliff, R.G. (December 4, 2009). "White, Perry lock down governor bids". Houston Chronicle. Retrieved December 19, 2010.
  85. ↑ Holley, John (November 15, 2010). "What's next on Bill White's agenda". Houston Chronicle. Retrieved December 19, 2010.
  86. ↑ 2012 Democratic Party Primary Election - RESULTS
  87. ↑ http://enr.sos.state.tx.us/enr/results/july31_163_state.htm
  88. ↑ "John Jay Myers Campaign". Retrieved July 27, 2011.
  89. ↑ "2012 Texas Candidates". Retrieved July 15, 2011.
  90. ↑ Independent Political Report - LIVE Blogging from Texas LP Convention
  91. ↑ Note: percentages add up to 143.1%. This corresponds to an average of 1.431 approval votes per ballot.
  92. ↑ Texas Greens official website
  93. ↑ TexasGreenCandidates.com
  94. ↑ Wright, John (January 11, 2011). "WATCH: Chris Tina Bruce on discrimination". Dallas Voice. Retrieved January 11, 2011.
  95. ↑ Home Page
  96. ↑ Sadler Campaign Finances
  97. ↑ Cruz Campaign Finances
  98. ↑ Jay Myers Campaign Finances
  99. ↑ http://www.opensecrets.org/races/contrib.php?cycle=2012&id=txs2 Center for Responsive Politics
  100. ↑ Top Donors by Industry (opensecrets.org)

External links

Official campaign websites