Will Texas turn blue? That’s been the question for years.  

Texas is the last large red state and Democrats had been making slow and steady progress in Texas presidential races since 2004 until this year.

Aside from Republicans strengthening their grip on statewide government, the story of the night will be South Texas. Years of Republican efforts in the traditionally blue area have borne fruit. The historic shift has been astonishing and is undeniable.

Rio Grande Valley Republicans were able to take out a sitting Democratic senator (Morgan LaMantia) and a little further north, Republicans flipped two open House seats, one in Corpus, the other a rural border district southwest of San Antonio. Even where South Texas Democrats successfully defended their seats, the margins were much closer than anticipated: Congressmen Vicente Gonzalez (51.28%) and Henry Cuellar (52.37%) and state Reps. Bobby Guerra (53.45%) and Eddie Morales (51.69%). Using messaging on pro-business policy, traditional social values, and a secure border, Republicans have tapped into the community. This is evident from Brownsville to Del Rio, and from San Antonio to Corpus Christi, and even out to El Paso. Meanwhile, Democrats have countered with outreach to suburban areas, but that didn’t seem to work this time.

REALTOR®-Supported Candidates Soar to Victory

It was a good night for the 197 candidates who earned REALTOR® support. The combined winning percentage for those candidates in the general election is 99.49%, with only one REALTOR®-supported candidate falling.

With dozens of real estate issues coming up during the 119th Congress and 89th Texas Legislature, having allies inside the halls of power is a good thing for you and for your clients.

REALTOR® Party By the Numbers

Here’s now REALTOR®-supported clients fared in this historic election:

RPAC (federal races) 

  • 39 candidates (39-0)
  • 26 Republicans, 13 Democrats

TREPAC (state races)

  • 4 statewide candidates (4-0)
  • 4 Republicans
  • 15 Texas Senate candidates (14-1)
  • 8 Democrats, 7 Republicans
  • 1 TREPAC-supported Democrat lost 
  • 139 Texas House candidates (139-0)
  • 77 Republicans, 62 Democrats