2018 Texas gubernatorial election
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The 2018 Texas gubernatorial election took place on November 6, 2018, to elect the governor of Texas, concurrently with the election of Texas's Class I U.S. Senate seat, as well as other congressional, state and local elections throughout the United States and Texas. Incumbent Republican governor Greg Abbott won re-election to a second term in office defeating Democratic nominee Lupe Valdez, the former sheriff of Dallas County, and Libertarian nominee Mark Tippetts, a former member of the Lago Vista city council.
The Republican and Democratic party primaries were held on March 6, 2018, making them the first primaries of the 2018 electoral season. Abbott won the March 6 primary with 90% of the vote to receive the Republican nomination, while Democratic candidates Lupe Valdez and Andrew White advanced to a May 22 runoff. Valdez defeated White in the runoff with 53.1% of the vote and faced Abbott in the general election as the Democratic nominee.
Valdez's nomination made her the first openly gay person nominated for governor by a major party in the state.
Tippetts was nominated at the Libertarian Party of Texas' state convention in Houston April 13–15, 2018. He defeated three challengers, as well as the None Of The Above option, on the first ballot and received more than 70% approval from Libertarian party delegates.
Despite considerably closer contests in other Texas state elections, Abbott handily won a second term with the highest margin of victory of any state official on the ballot, although Valdez also won the largest vote share for a Democratic gubernatorial candidate since Ann Richards in 1994. Tippetts' showing exceeded the previous record for most votes for a Libertarian nominee for Texas governor; that record had been set in 1990.
The election also took place alongside a closer, higher-profile Senate race between Beto O'Rourke and Ted Cruz, which may have played a factor in making the Democratic gubernatorial candidate considerably more competitive than in 2014. Abbott won a majority among white voters (72% to 26%), while Valdez won majorities among African Americans (80% to 16%) and Latinos (63% to 35%).
Republican primary
Candidates
Nominated
- Greg Abbott, incumbent governor and former Texas Attorney General
Eliminated in primary
- Larry Kilgore, secession activist
- Barbara Krueger, retired teacher
Declined
- Dan Patrick, lieutenant governor of Texas (running for re-election)
- Joe Straus, Speaker of the Texas House of Representatives
Endorsements
U.S. executive branch officials
- Mike Pence, 48th vice president of the United States
- Donald Trump, 45th president of the United States
U.S. senators
- John Cornyn, U.S. senator (R-TX)
- Ted Cruz, U.S. senator (R-TX)
Statewide officeholders
Organizations
Newspapers
Religious leaders
- Flip Benham, evangelist and leader of Operation Save America
- Bob Enyart, pastor of Denver Bible Church
- Matt Trewhella, evangelist
Polling
Results
Democratic primary
Candidates
Nominated
- Lupe Valdez, former Dallas County Sheriff
Eliminated in primary
- James Jolly Clark, businessman
- Cedric Davis, former mayor of Balch Springs
- Joe Mumbach, businessman
- Adrian Ocegueda, financial analyst
- Jeffrey Payne, businessman and 2009 International Mr. Leather
- Demetria Smith, mortgage broker
- Tom Wakely, hospice chaplain and nominee for TX-21 in 2016
- Andrew White, entrepreneur and son of Governor Mark White
- Grady Yarbrough, retired educator
Withdrew
- Garry Brown, candidate for Travis County Commission in 2014
- Lee Weaver
Declined
- Rafael Anchia, state representative
- Dwight Boykins, Houston City Councilman
- Joaquín Castro, U.S. representative
- Julian Castro, former United States Secretary of Housing and Urban Development and Mayor of San Antonio
- Mike Collier, businessman and nominee for Comptroller in 2014 (running for lieutenant governor)
- Wendy Davis, former state senator and nominee in 2014
- Pete Gallego, former U.S. representative
- Eva Longoria, actress and political activist
- Jack Martin, CEO of Hill+Knowlton Strategies
- Trey Martinez Fischer, former state representative
- William McRaven, chancellor of the University of Texas System, retired Navy admiral and former commander of the United States Special Operations Command
- Michael Sorrell, president of Paul Quinn College
- Allen Vaught, former state representative
Endorsements
Newspapers
U.S. cabinet and cabinet-level officials
- Julián Castro, former United States Secretary of Housing and Urban Development and former mayor of San Antonio
U.S. representatives
- Joaquín Castro, U.S. representative (D-TX 20th District)
- Gabby Giffords, former U.S. representative (D-AZ 8th District) and gun control activist
Texas state senators
- Sylvia Garcia, former state senator (D-6th District) and U.S. representative for Texas's 29th congressional district
- José Menéndez, state senator (D-20th District)
- José Rodríguez, state senator (D-29th District)
- Leticia Van de Putte, former state senator (D-26th District), 2014 Democratic nominee for lieutenant governor, and 2015 candidate for mayor of San Antonio
Texas state representatives
- Roberto Alonzo, state representative (D-104th District)
- Carol Alvarado, state representative (D-145th District)
- Rafael Anchia, state representative (D-103rd District)
- Diana Arévalo, state representative (D-116th District)
- Diego Bernal, state representative (D-123rd District)
- César Blanco, state representative (D-76th District)
- Terry Canales, state representative (D-40th District)
- Nicole Collier, state representative (D-95th District)
- Jessica Farrar, state representative (D-148th District)
- Domingo García, former state representative (D-104th District)
- Mary González, state representative (D-75th District)
- Ryan Guillen, state representative (D-31st District)
- Ana Hernandez, state representative (D-143rd District)
- Gina Hinojosa, state representative (D-49th District)
- Celia Israel, state representative (D-50th District)
- Mando Martinez, state representative (D-39th District)
- Ina Minjarez, state representative (D-124th District)
- Sergio Muñoz, state representative (D-36th District)
- Victoria Neave, state representative (D-107th District)
- Poncho Nevárez, state representative (D-74th District)
- Lina Ortega, state representative (D-77th District)
- Ron Reynolds, state representative (D-27th District)
- Eddie Rodriguez, state representative (D-51st District)
- Justin Rodriguez, state representative (D-125th District)
Local officeholders
- Sammy Casados, Pasadena City Council member
- Theresa Daniel, Dallas County commissioner
- Chris Diaz, Harris County constable
- Robert Gallegos, Houston City Council member
- Adrian Garcia, former Harris County sheriff
- Elba Garcia, Dallas County commissioner
- Gilbert Gonzales, mayor of Raymondville, Texas
- Clay Jenkins, Dallas County judge
- Omar Lucio, sheriff of Cameron County, Texas
- John Wiley Price, Dallas County commissioner
- Jeff Travillion, Travis County commissioner
- Richard Wiles, sheriff of El Paso County, Texas
Individuals
- John Leguizamo, actor
- Diane Ravitch, former Assistant Secretary of Education, educational policy analyst and research professor at New York University
- Cecile Richards, former president of Planned Parenthood and pro-choice activist
Organizations
- AFL–CIO
- Equality Texas
- Gay & Lesbian Victory Fund
- Houston Area Stonewall Democrats
- Planned Parenthood
- Stonewall Democrats of Austin
- Stonewall Democrats of Dallas
- Stonewall Democrats of Denton County
- Stonewall Democrats of San Antonio
Newspapers
- Austin Chronicle (first primary round only, did not endorse a candidate in runoff)
- Corpus Christi Caller-Times
Texas state representatives
- Garnet Coleman, state representative (D-147th District)
Local officeholders
- Cedric Davis, former mayor of Balch Springs and candidate for the 2018 gubernatorial Democratic nomination
Individuals
- Michael Cooper, pastor and candidate for the 2018 lieutenant governor Democratic nomination
Organizations
- Harris County Young Democrats
- Houston GLBT Political Caucus
- Houston Stonewall Young Democrats
- Jolt Texas
- Moms Demand Action
- North East Bexar County Democrats
Newspapers
First round
Polling
Results
- Valdez—60–70%
- Valdez—50–60%
- Valdez—40–50%
- Valdez—30–40%
- Valdez—20–30%
- White—100%
- White—50–60%
- White—40–50%
- White—30–40%
- White—20–30%
- Davis—60–70%
- Davis—20–30%
- Davis—<20%
- Yarbrough—20–30%
- Yarbrough—30–40%
- Payne—70–80%
- Wakely—30–40%
- Wakely—20–30%
- Tie
Runoff
- Valdez—>90%
- Valdez—80–90%
- Valdez—70–80%
- Valdez—60–70%
- Valdez—50–60%
- Tie
- White—50–60%
- White—60–70%
- White—70–80%
- White—80–90%
- White—>90%
- No vote
Lupe Valdez and Andrew White proceeded to a run-off on May 22 since neither received 50% of the vote in the first round of the primary. Lupe Valdez won the runoff.
Results
Libertarian nomination
Candidates
Nominated
- Mark Tippetts, former Lago Vista City Councilman
Defeated at convention
- Kathie Glass, attorney and previous nominee
- Patrick Smith
- Kory Watkins, activist
General election
Debates
- Complete video of debate, September 28, 2018
Endorsements
Federal officials
U.S. senators
- John Cornyn, U.S. senator (R-TX)
- Ted Cruz, U.S. senator (R-TX)
Statewide officeholders
- Christi Craddick, Railroad Commissioner of Texas
- Sid Miller, Agriculture Commissioner of Texas
- Dan Patrick, lieutenant governor of Texas
- Ken Paxton, Attorney General of Texas
Texas state senators
- Konni Burton, state senator (R-10th District)
- Bob Hall, state senator (R-2nd District)
- Don Huffines, state senator (R-16th District)
- Van Taylor, state senator (R-8th District)
Texas state representatives
- Angie Chen Button, state representative (R-112nd District)
- Linda Koop, state representative (R-102nd District)
- Jeff Leach, state representative (R-67th District)
- Matt Rinaldi, state representative (R-115th District)
- Scott Sanford, state representative (R-70th District)
- Matt Shaheen, state representative (R-66th District)
- Valoree Swanson, state representative (R-150th District)
Local officeholders
- Diane Costa, former mayor of Highland Village, Texas
- Faith Johnson, Dallas County District Attorney
Individuals
- Glenn Beck, television/radio host and political commentator
- Jerry Jones, businessman and owner of the Dallas Cowboys
- Angela Paxton, wife of Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton and Republican candidate for Texas Senate, District 8
Organizations
- Associated Plumbing, Heating, Cooling Contractors of Texas
- Combined Law Enforcement Associations of Texas
- Dallas County Sheriff's Association
- Empower Texans
- National Federation of Independent Business
- NRA Political Victory Fund
- Rural Friends of Electric Cooperatives
- Texas Agricultural Aviation Association
- Texas Hospital Association
- Texas Pyrotechnic Association
Newspapers
U.S. cabinet and cabinet-level officials
- Julián Castro, former United States Secretary of Housing and Urban Development and former mayor of San Antonio
- Tom Perez, former United States Secretary of Labor and chairman of the Democratic National Committee
U.S. representatives
- Joaquín Castro, U.S. representative (D-TX 20th District)
- Gabby Giffords, former U.S. representative (D-AZ 8th District) and gun control activist
- Seth Moulton, U.S. representative (D-MA 6th District)
Texas state senators
- Wendy Davis, former state senator (D-District 10) and 2014 Democratic nominee for governor of Texas
- Sylvia Garcia, state senator (D-6th District) and Democratic nominee for Texas's 29th congressional district
- José Menéndez, state senator (D-20th District)
- José Rodríguez, state senator (D-29th District)
- Leticia Van de Putte, former state senator (D-26th District), 2014 Democratic nominee for lieutenant governor, and 2015 candidate for mayor of San Antonio
Texas state representatives
- Roberto Alonzo, state representative (D-104th District)
- Carol Alvarado, state representative (D-145th District)
- Rafael Anchia, state representative (D-103rd District)
- Diana Arévalo, state representative (D-116th District)
- Diego Bernal, state representative (D-123rd District)
- César Blanco, state representative (D-76th District)
- Terry Canales, state representative (D-40th District)
- Nicole Collier, state representative (D-95th District)
- Jessica Farrar, state representative (D-148th District)
- Domingo García, former state representative (D-104th District)
- Mary González, state representative (D-75th District)
- Ryan Guillen, state representative (D-31st District)
- Ana Hernandez, state representative (D-143rd District)
- Gina Hinojosa, state representative (D-49th District)
- Celia Israel, state representative (D-50th District)
- Eric Johnson, state representative (D-100th District)
- Mando Martinez, state representative (D-39th District)
- Ina Minjarez, state representative (D-124th District)
- Sergio Muñoz, state representative (D-36th District)
- Victoria Neave, state representative (D-107th District)
- Poncho Nevárez, state representative (D-74th District)
- Lina Ortega, state representative (D-77th District)
- Ron Reynolds, state representative (D-27th District)
- Eddie Rodriguez, state representative (D-51st District)
- Justin Rodriguez, state representative (D-125th District)
- Chris Turner, state representative (D-101st District) and chair of the Texas House Democratic Caucus
Local officeholders
- Sammy Casados, Pasadena City Council member
- Theresa Daniel, Dallas County commissioner
- Chris Diaz, Harris County constable
- Robert Gallegos, Houston City Council member
- Adrian Garcia, former Harris County sheriff
- Elba Garcia, Dallas County commissioner
- Gilbert Gonzales, mayor of Raymondville, Texas
- Clay Jenkins, Dallas County Judge
- Omar Lucio, sheriff of Cameron County, Texas
- John Wiley Price, Dallas County commissioner
- Jeff Travillion, Travis County commissioner
- Richard Wiles, sheriff of El Paso County, Texas
Individuals
- Mike Collier, businessman and 2018 Democratic nominee for lieutenant governor of Texas
- John Leguizamo, actor
- Diane Ravitch, former assistant U.S. secretary of education, educational policy analyst and research professor at New York University
- Joy-Ann Reid, MSNBC national correspondent and television host
- Cecile Richards, former president of Planned Parenthood and pro-choice activist
- George Takei, actor
- Andrew White, businessman, son of former Texas Governor Mark White and candidate for the 2018 Texas gubernatorial Democratic nomination
Organizations
Governors
- Gary Johnson, former governor of New Mexico and Libertarian nominee for president of the United States in the 2012 and 2016 elections
- William Weld, former governor of Massachusetts and Libertarian nominee for vice president of the United States in the 2016 election
Individuals
- Christian Ehmling, political activist, editor in chief of East County Liberty Talk, former Republican candidate for Texas House of Representatives District 16
- Kinky Friedman, singer, songwriter, humorist, novelist, former candidate for governor, and former columnist for Texas Monthly
- Rob Kampia, co-founder and former executive director of the Marijuana Policy Project
- Mary Ruwart, biomedical researcher and Libertarian activist
- Nicholas Sarwark, chairman of the Libertarian National Committee
Predictions
- Notes
Polling
with Andrew White
with Julian Castro
with Wendy Davis
Results
Counties that flipped from Republican to Democratic
- Bexar (largest municipality: San Antonio)
- Culberson (largest municipality: Van Horn)
- Harris (largest municipality: Houston)
- Hays (largest municipality: San Marcos)
Counties that flipped from Democratic to Republican
- Frio (largest municipality: Pearsall)
- Jim Wells (largest municipality: Alice)
- Val Verde (largest municipality: Del Rio)
By congressional district
Abbott won 25 of 36 congressional districts, including two that elected Democrats.
Analysis
Voter demographics
Voter demographic data was collected by CNN. The voter survey is based on exit polls.
References
External links
Debates
Official campaign websites