Popular vote by congressional district. As this is a first-past-the-post election, seat totals are not determined by total popular vote in the state, but instead by results in each congressional district.
In 2018, for the first time in at least 25 years, the
Texas Democratic Party fielded at least one candidate in each of the state's 36 congressional districts.[1] The state congressional delegation changed from a 25–11 Republican majority to a 23–13 Republican majority, the most seats that Democrats had won in the state since
2006. Democrats won almost 47% of the vote, likely due to the
down-ballot effect of Representative
Beto O'Rourke's
Senate candidacy, in which he won 48.3% of the vote, but also because four Democrat incumbents faced no Republican opposition in their general elections.
Turnout was also more than doubled from the last midterm election.
The first district is located in
East Texas, including
Deep East Texas, and takes in
Longview,
Lufkin, and
Tyler. Incumbent Republican
Louie Gohmert, who had represented the district since 2005, ran for re-election. He was re-elected with 73.9% of the vote in 2016. The district had a
PVI of R+25.
This district is located in
Greater Houston, including parts of northern and western
Houston, as well as
Humble,
Kingwood, and
Spring. Incumbent Republican
Ted Poe, who had represented the district since 2005, did not run for re-election. He was re-elected with 60.6% of the vote in 2016. The district had a
PVI of R+11.
The 3rd district is located in the
Dallas–Fort Worth metroplex, including the Dallas suburbs of
Frisco,
McKinney, and
Plano. Incumbent Republican
Sam Johnson, who had represented the district since 1991, did not run for re-election. He was re-elected with 61.2% of the vote in 2016. The district had a
PVI of R+13.
The 4th district is located in
Northern and
Northeastern Texas, including
Paris,
Sherman, and
Texarkana. Incumbent Republican
John Ratcliffe, who had represented the district since 2015, ran for re-election. He was re-elected with 88.0% of the vote in 2016. The district had a
PVI of R+28, making it one of the most conservative districts in the nation.
The 5th district stretches from the eastern Dallas suburbs, including
Mesquite, down into
East Texas including
Athens and
Palestine. Incumbent Republican
Jeb Hensarling, who had represented the district since 2003, announced in October 2017 that he was going to retire and not seek re-election to another term.[45] He was re-elected with 80.6% of the vote in 2016. The district had a
PVI of R+16.
The 6th district is located in the
Dallas–Fort Worth metroplex, including parts of
Arlington, as well as
Dalworthington Gardens and
Mansfield. The district also stretches southward, taking in
Corsicana and
Ennis. Incumbent Republican
Joe Barton, who had represented the district since 1985, announced in November 2017 that he would not run for re-election.[48] He was re-elected with 58.3% of the vote in 2016. The district had a
PVI of R+9.
The 7th district includes parts of western
Houston and
Bellaire. Incumbent Republican
John Culberson, who had represented the district since 2001, ran for re-election. He was re-elected with 56.2% of the vote in 2016. The district had a
PVI of R+7.
In February 2018, the
Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee, citing concerns about Laura Moser's electability in the general election, called attention to some of her past statements that they deemed controversial.[64] That action was condemned by
DNC chair
Tom Perez[65] and
Our Revolution, which endorsed Moser a few days later.[66]
The 8th district includes much of the northern suburbs of
Houston, such as
Conroe,
Huntsville, and
The Woodlands. Incumbent Republican
Kevin Brady, who had represented the district since 1997, ran for re-election. He was re-elected unopposed in 2016. The district had a
PVI of R+28.
The 9th district serves the southwestern portion of the
Greater Houston area including parts of
Missouri City and
Sugar Land. Incumbent Democrat
Al Green, who had represented the district since 2005, ran for re-election. He was re-elected with 80.6% of the vote in 2016. The district had a
PVI of D+28.
The 10th district includes portions of northern
Austin and its suburbs, such as
Manor and
Pflugerville. The district stretches eastward into rural areas of
Central Texas and the outer suburbs of Houston, including
Cypress,
Katy, and
Tomball. Incumbent Republican
Michael McCaul, who had represented the district since 2005, ran for re-election. He was re-elected with 57.3% of the vote in 2016. The district had a
PVI of R+9.
In the Democratic primary, Mike Siegel and Tawana Cadien advanced to the runoff, where Siegel ultimately prevailed. Siegel refused all corporate
PAC donations.[78]
Candidates
Nominee
Mike Siegel, Austin Assistant Attorney General and attorney
Eliminated in primary
Tawana Cadien, consultant, registered nurse, MMA Surgery supervisor, quality assurance director and nominee for this seat in
2012,
2014 &
2016
Richie DeGrow, business manager and consultant
Madeline Eden, businesswoman, engineer, and architect
In the general election, McCaul won against Siegel by 4.3 percent of the vote, the closest contest McCaul had faced.[81] The outcome was notable in a district political experts rate as "Heavily Republican."[82][83]
The 11th district is located in the
Concho Valley including
Midland,
Odessa, and
San Angelo. Incumbent Republican
Mike Conaway, who had represented the district since 2005, ran for re-election. He was re-elected with 89.5% of the vote in 2016. The district had a
PVI of R+32, making this one of the most Republican districts in the country..
The 12th district is centered around
Fort Worth and the surrounding suburbs including
North Richland Hills,
Weatherford, and
White Settlement. Incumbent Republican
Kay Granger, who had represented the district since 1997, ran for re-election. He was re-elected with 69.4% of the vote in 2016. The district had a
PVI of R+18.
The 13th district includes most of the
Texas Panhandle, parts of
Texoma and northeastern parts of
North Texas. It winds across the Panhandle into the
South Plains, then runs east across the
Red River Valley. Covering over 40,000 square miles (100,000 km2), it is the second-largest district geographically in Texas and larger in area than thirteen entire states. The principal cities in the district are
Amarillo and
Wichita Falls. Incumbent Republican
Mac Thornberry, who had represented the district since 1995, ran for re-election. He was re-elected with 90.0% of the vote in 2016. The district had a
PVI of R+33, making it the most Republican district in the country.
The 14th district covers the
Gulf Coast area of Texas, including
Beaumont,
Galveston, and
League City. Republican
Randy Weber is the incumbent, serving since 2013. He was reelected with 61.9% of the vote in 2016. The district's PVI is R+12.
The 15th district stretches from parts of
South Texas including
Edinburg,
Hebbronville, and
McAllen, to the northeastern suburbs of
San Antonio such as
Schertz and
Seguin. Incumbent Democrat
Vicente González, who had represented the district since 2017, ran for re-election. He was re-elected with 57.3% of the vote in 20. The district had a
PVI of D+7.
The 16th district is centered around
El Paso and the surrounding
areas. Incumbent Democrat
Beto O'Rourke, who had represented the district since 2013, retired from his seat to challenge Senator
Ted Cruz in the state's
senate election. He was re-elected with 85.7% of the vote in 2016. The district had a
PVI of D+17.
The 17th district is located in
Central Texas including the
Bryan-College station metro,
Waco, and stretches to parts of North
Austin. Incumbent Republican
Bill Flores, who had represented the district since 2011, ran for re-election. He was re-elected with 60.8% of the vote in 2016. The district had a
PVI of R+12.
The 18th district is centered on inner
Houston and the surrounding area. It has been the Downtown Houston district since 1973. Incumbent Democratic
Sheila Jackson Lee, who had represented the district since 1995, ran for re-election. He was re-elected with 73.5% of the vote in 2016. The district had a
PVI of D+27.
The 19th district is located in upper rural
West Texas, including
Abilene,
Lubbock, and
Plainview. Incumbent Republican
Jodey Arrington, who had represented the district since 2017, ran for re-election. He was re-elected with 86.7% of the vote in 2016. The district had a
PVI of R+27.
The 20th district is centered on the western half of
San Antonio and the surrounding inner suburbs including
Balcones Heights and
Helotes. Incumbent Democrat
Joaquín Castro, who had represented the district since 2013, ran for re-election. He was re-elected with 79.7% of the vote in 2016. The district had a
PVI of D+10.
The 21st district starts in the
San Antonio metro, including parts of north San Antonio and
New Braunfels, extending into the
Austin metro, taking in parts of
San Marcos and south
Austin. Incumbent Republican
Lamar Smith, who had represented the district since 1987, announced in November 2017 that he would retire at the end of his current term, and not seek re-election.[104] He was re-elected with 57.0% of the vote in 2016. The district had a
PVI of R+10.
Run-off debates were held on April 12 after the primary, one hour each for the two Democratic candidates (
audioArchived May 13, 2018, at the
Wayback Machine) and the two Republican candidates (
audioArchived May 13, 2018, at the
Wayback Machine).
Matt McCall, small business owner, businessman and candidate for this seat in
2014 &
2016
Susan Narvaiz, former mayor of
San Marcos, businesswoman, former president and CEO of Core Strategies, Inc. and nominee for the 35th District in
2012,
2014 &
2016
William Negley, non-profit founder, organizer,
CIA intelligence officer and congressional aide
Al Poteet, businessman and US Army veteran
Autry Pruitt, political commentator, author and activist
Jenifer Sarver, businesswoman, congressional aide and former
Department of Commerce official
Robert Stovall, former Chair of the Bexar County Republican Party, chemist and financial advisor
Elliott McFadden, businessman, Peace Corps member, former executive director of the Travis County Democratic Party, consultant, former Executive at AustinCarShare, Austin B-Cycle executive director, communications coordinator[109]
Mary Street Wilson, pastor, teacher, math professor, social justice activist[109]
The 22nd district is located
Greater Houston taking in suburban areas of
Friendswood,
Pearland, and
Sugar Land. Incumbent Republican
Pete Olson, who had represented the district since 2009, ran for re-election. He was re-elected with 59.5% of the vote in 2016. The district had a
PVI of R+10.
Because Texas's 22nd congressional district is one of the most diverse in Texas, the Kulkarni campaign took the unorthodox approach of reaching out to infrequent voters in their own neighborhoods and languages,[113][114] including Gujarati, Marathi, Tamil and Mandarin.[115] If elected, Kulkarni would have become the first Asian-American ever to serve in the Texas congressional delegation.[116]
The 23rd district stretches from rural
Southwestern Texas, including
Alpine,
Del Rio, and
Socorro, into the
Greater San Antonio area, taking in
Hondo and the outer areas of
San Antonio. It is a prominently
Hispanic-majority district. Incumbent Republican
Will Hurd, who had represented the district since 2015, ran for re-election. He was narrowly re-elected with 48.7% of the vote in 2016. The district had a
PVI of R+1.
The 24th district is centered around
Mid-Cities suburbs of the
Dallas–Fort Worth metroplex including
Bedford,
Carrollton, and
Euless. Incumbent Republican
Kenny Marchant, who had represented the district since 2005, ran for re-election. He was re-elected with 56.2% of the vote in 2016. The district had a
PVI of R+9.
The 25th district stretches from the outer suburbs of
Fort Worth, including
Burleson and
Cleburne down into rural
Central Texas, and takes in the
Austin exurbs of
Dripping Springs,
Lakeway,
West Lake Hills, as well as parts of downtown Austin. Incumbent Republican
Roger Williams, who had represented the district since 2013, ran for re-election. He was re-elected with 58.4% of the vote in 2016. The district had a
PVI of R+11.
The 26th district is centered on the northern
Dallas–Fort Worth suburbs, including
Denton,
Keller, and
Lewisville. Incumbent Republican
Michael C. Burgess, who had represented the district since 2003, ran for re-election. He was re-elected with 66.4% of the vote in 2016. The district had a
PVI of R+18.
The 27th district is located in the
Coastal Bend, anchored by
Corpus Christi, and the surrounding areas including
Port Aransas and
Victoria. The most recent representative was Republican
Blake Farenthold, who served from 2011 until April 2018. Farenthold was re-elected with 61.7% of the vote in 2016, and the district's PVI is R+13.
Farenthold retired from Congress and did not run for re-election in 2018.[136][137] Farenthold resigned on April 6, 2018.[138]Michael Cloud, the Republican nominee for the general election, won a
June 30 special election to fill the remainder of the term.[139]
The 28th district starts in parts of the
Rio Grande Valley, including
Laredo,
Mission and
Rio Grande City and stretches north into the
San Antonio suburbs including
Converse and
Live Oak. Incumbent Democrat
Henry Cuellar, who had represented the district since 2005, ran for re-election. He was re-elected with 66.2% of the vote in 2016. The district had a
PVI of D+9.
The 29th district is anchored by parts of
Houston and the surrounding suburbs including
Pasadena and
South Houston. Incumbent Democrat
Gene Green, who had represented the district since 1993, announced in November 2017 that would not run for re-election in 2018.[146] He was re-elected with 72.5% of the vote in 2016. The district had a
PVI of D+19.
The 30th district is centered around
Dallas and its
surrounding suburbs, including
Cedar Hill and
Lancaster. Incumbent Democrat
Eddie Bernice Johnson, who had represented the district since 1993, ran for re-election. She was re-elected with 77.9% of the vote in 2016. The district had a
PVI of D+29.
The 31st district is located in north
Austin and the surrounding suburbs including
Georgetown and
Round Rock. The district also stretches north into
Killeen and
Temple. Incumbent Republican
John Carter, who had represented the district since 2003, ran for re-election. He was re-elected with 58.4% of the vote in 2016. The district had a
PVI of R+10.
The 32nd district is centered around the northeastern inner
Dallas suburbs, including
Garland,
Richardson, and the
Park Cities. Incumbent Republican
Pete Sessions, who had represented the district since 1997, ran for re-election. He was re-elected with 71.1% of the vote in 2016. The district had a
PVI of R+5.
Edward Meier, longtime Democratic operative, executive director of BigThought, former co-Executive Director of
Hillary Clinton's presidential transition team[157]
The 34th district is centered around the
Rio Grande Valley, including
Brownsville,
Harlingen, and
Weslaco. Incumbent Democrat
Filemon Vela Jr., who had represented the district since 2013, ran for re-election. He was re-elected with 62.7% of the vote in 2016. The district had a
PVI of D+10.
The 35th district stretches from
Downtown San Antonio up into
Austin metro, including
Lockhart,
San Marcos, and parts of east
Austin. Incumbent Democrat
Lloyd Doggett, who had represented the district since 2013 and previously represented both the
10th district and
25th district since 1995, ran for re-election. He was re-elected with 63.1% of the vote in 20. The district had a
PVI of D+15.
In March 2017, a panel of federal judges ruled that the 35th district was illegally drawn with discriminatory intent.[166] In August 2017 there was another ruling that the district is unconstitutional.[167]
The 36th district takes in the
Bay Area outer suburbs of
Houston, including
Baytown,
Deer Park, and
La Porte. The district also includes rural
Southeastern Texas, such as
Lumberton and
Orange. Incumbent Republican
Brian Babin, who had represented the district since 2015, ran for re-election. He was re-elected with 88.6% of the vote in 2016. The district had a
PVI of R+26.
^"Please vote Kevin Roberts for U.S. House of Representatives on Tuesday, May 22nd!". nrapvf.org. NRA-PVF.
Archived from the original on August 16, 2023. Retrieved August 16, 2023. The NRA Political Victory Fund (NRA-PVF) has endorsed Kevin Roberts for the U.S. House of Representatives in the May 22, 2018, Republican primary runoff election in the 2nd Congressional District of Texas.
^
ab"Endorsements". climatehawksvote.com. Climate Hawks Vote Political Action. Archived from
the original on December 20, 2018. Retrieved August 22, 2023.
^Diaz, Kevin (May 4, 2018).
"DCCC head stands by attack on Laura Moser in Democratic primary runoff with Lizzie Fletcher". Houston Chronicle. Retrieved May 26, 2018. As he has in the past, Lujan said the DCCC's move was about promoting what party officials see as the most electable candidate to challenge Seventh Congressional District Republican incumbent John Culberson in November...Meanwhile, the DCCC has backed away from formally endorsing Fletcher.
^Greenwood, Max (March 3, 2018).
"DNC chair questions House campaign arm's attack on progressive candidate". The Hill.
Archived from the original on June 22, 2018. I would have done it differently," he continued. "I think the DCCC has the ability to endorse in primaries, and they do that from time to time. But again, I would have done it differently."...The DCCC has framed Moser as an unelectable candidate in a critical race, pointing to concerns about her residency and accusations that her husband is improperly benefitting financially from her campaign. The Sanders-affiliated group called the DCCC's attacks "ridiculous.
^Hagen, Lisa (March 1, 2018).
"Sanders allies endorse Texas candidate attacked by DCCC". The Hill. Retrieved May 26, 2018. A progressive group allied with Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) endorsed a Texas Democrat running in a crowded House primary on March 1, just days after House Democrats' campaign arm targeted the candidate.
^
ab"Candidates". electgoppatriots.org/. National Republican Congressional Committee. Archived from
the original on November 7, 2018. Retrieved June 5, 2023.
^
abcdefgTHE CHRONICLE EDITORIAL BOARD (February 16, 2018).
"Chronicle Endorsements". The Austin Chronicle. Archived from
the original on October 16, 2018. Retrieved August 16, 2023.
^
abcdefg"Endorsements". weareprogressives.org. Congressional Progressive Caucus. Archived from
the original on November 5, 2018. Retrieved August 22, 2023.
^"Our Candidates". boldprogressives.org. Progressive Change Campaign Committee PAC. Archived from
the original on November 10, 2018. Retrieved September 13, 2023.
^"NRA Endorses Pete Sessions for U.S. House of Representatives". NRA-ILA. September 20, 2018.
Archived from the original on September 21, 2018. Retrieved September 20, 2018. the National Rifle Association Political Victory Fund (NRA-PVF) today endorsed Rep. Pete Sessions for re-election to the U.S. House of Representatives.