The 2018 general election was held in the U.S. state of Texas on November 6, 2018. All of Texas's executive officers were up for election as well as a United States Senate seat, and all of Texas's thirty-six seats in the United States House of Representatives. The Republican and Democratic Parties nominated their candidates by primaries held March 6, 2018. Convention Parties nominated their candidates at a series of conventions. County Conventions held March 17, 2018, District Conventions held March 24, 2018, and a State Convention held April 14, 2018.[1] At the present time there is only one Convention Party in Texas, that is the Libertarian Party. Other parties may seek to achieve ballot access.[2]
Turnout in the November general election reached historic levels, rivaling turnout in a presidential election.[3] While the Republican Party won every statewide position, the margin of victory was narrower than previous elections.[4][5][6]
Federal
United States Senate
Democratic U.S. Representative Beto O'Rourke and Libertarian candidate Neal Dikeman challenged U.S. Senator Ted Cruz for re-election. Cruz narrowly defeated O'Rourke by 2.6%.
United States House of Representatives
All of Texas's thirty-six seats in the United States House of Representatives were up for election in 2018.[7] No open seats changed hands, but two Republican incumbents lost to Democrats.
Abbott won the March 20, 2018, Republican primary, while Lupe Valdez won the Democratic runoff against Andrew White, becoming the first Latina nominated by a major party for statewide office in Texas.
Libertarian Mark Tippetts also ran against Abbott. Tippetts defeated Kathie Glass, Patrick "Not Governor" Smith, and Kory Watkins at the party convention to earn his nomination.[8]
On January 9, 2017, the day before the 85th Texas Legislature began its session, incumbent Republican lieutenant governor Dan Patrick announced he would run for re-election in 2018.[9] He stated his early announcement was in order to dispel rumors of a primary challenge to Governor Greg Abbott or U.S. Senator Ted Cruz.[9]
Incumbent Justice Jimmy Blacklock ran for a full term after being appointed by Governor Greg Abbott on January 2, 2018. Justice Blacklock filled the vacant seat left by Don Willett due to his appointment by President Donald Trump to the U.S. 5th Circuit Court of Appeals.
^"Important Dates for the Party Conventions, Primary Elections and General Election". www.sos.state.tx.us.
^"Nominee of Libertarian or Green Party in 2018". www.sos.state.tx.us. Archived from the original on December 14, 2017. Retrieved December 14, 2017.
^Wang, Elbert (November 7, 2017). "Look up Texas midterm turnout in your county against historic numbers". The Texas Tribune. Retrieved November 7, 2017.
^Platoff, Emma (November 7, 2017). "Texas Democrats were aiming for historic wins in 2018. What they got instead was hope for 2020". The Texas Tribune. Retrieved November 7, 2017.
^Zdun, Matt; Collier, Kiah (November 7, 2017). "Gov. Greg Abbott clinches second term as GOP wins closest statewide races in 20 years". The Texas Tribune. Retrieved November 7, 2017.
^Platoff, Emma (November 7, 2017). "Four top takeaways from the 2018 Texas midterm elections". The Texas Tribune. Retrieved November 7, 2017.
^ abcdExecutive Branch Archived 2011-06-29 at the Wayback Machine retrieved 23-October-2008
^"Texas Libertarians nominate Mark Tippetts for governor | Libertarian Party". Libertarian Party. April 18, 2018. Retrieved November 11, 2018.
^ abWhitely, Jason (January 9, 2017). "Lt. Gov. Patrick Announces Re-Election Campaign". WFAA. Retrieved January 10, 2017.
^"Milder to Challenge Dan Patrick". The Amarillo Pioneer. Retrieved December 4, 2017.
^"Austin native Scott Milder announces bid for Lieutenant Governor". Retrieved December 4, 2017.
^ abcdefghijklmn"2018 Republican Party Primary Election - Race Summary Report". Office of Texas Secretary of State.
^"Mike Collier is the only challenger to Texas' GOP-led government". June 3, 2017.
^"Beaumont pastor announces bid for lieutenant governor". News6. May 22, 2017.
^ abcdefghijklmno"2018 Democratic Party Primary Election - Race Summary Report". Office of Texas Secretary of State.
^ abcd"2018 Candidates". lptexas.org. Archived from the original on December 22, 2017. Retrieved December 20, 2017.
^ abcdefghij"2018 General Election - Race Summary Report". Office of Texas Secretary of State.
^"Texas Comptroller Glenn Hegar and Democratic challenger Joi Chevalier on why they deserve your vote". The Texas Tribune. October 25, 2018. Retrieved November 11, 2018.
^Weissert, Will (June 19, 2017). "George P Bush seeks re-election as Texas land commissioner". The Washington Post. Archived from the original on June 19, 2017. Retrieved June 19, 2017.
^Tribe, Kristen (March 29, 2017). "Edwards pursues state office". Wise County Messenger. Retrieved June 21, 2017.
^Tribe, Kristen (June 4, 2017). "Edwards starts signature drive for place on ballot". Wise County Messenger. Retrieved June 21, 2017.
^"Trump Endorses Top Texas Republicans". www.governing.com. February 28, 2018.
^"Profile: Rick Range, Republican for Texas Land Commissioner". The Amarillo Pioneer. Retrieved November 11, 2018.
^ ab"For land commissioner: Miguel Suazo". The Houston Chronicle. February 17, 2018.
^"Austin Lobbyist to Challenge Sid Miller". The Amarillo Pioneer. Retrieved December 4, 2017.
^"We recommend Trey Blocker in the GOP primary for Texas Agriculture Commissioner". The Dallas Morning News. January 24, 2018.
^"Sid Miller Announces Re-election Campaign for Texas Agriculture Commissioner". Texas Insider. November 13, 2017. Archived from the original on December 1, 2017. Retrieved November 20, 2017.
^"Sid Miller announces reelection bid". Dallas Voice. November 8, 2017. Archived from the original on December 1, 2017. Retrieved November 20, 2017.
^ abSchwartz, Jeremy (March 6, 2018). "Christi Craddick wins railroad primary, will face Roman McAllen". Austin American-Statesman.
^Heinkel-Wolfe, Peggy (July 5, 2017). "McAllen announces run for Texas Railroad Commission". Denton Record-Chronicle. Retrieved July 18, 2017.[permanent dead link]
^Platoff, Emma (February 13, 2018). "He's been a Texas Supreme Court justice for a month. Now Jimmy Blacklock must become a candidate". The Texas Tribune.
^Sanchez, Sam (August 16, 2018). "A Houston Judge Could be Elected First Gay Justice on Texas Supreme Court". Out in SA.
^"We recommend John Devine for Texas Supreme Court, Place 4". The Dallas Morning News. October 12, 2018.
^"For Supreme Court, Place 4: R.K. Sandill". Houston Chronicle. October 20, 2018.
^ ab"For Supreme Court, Place 6: Jeff Brown". Houston Chronicle. October 20, 2018.
^Platoff, Emma (November 9, 2017). "In race against Texas judge Sharon Keller, Republican highlighting infamous death row call". The Texas Tribune.
^"We recommend Maria Jackson for presiding judge of the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals". The Dallas Morning News. September 13, 2018.
^"For Court of Criminal Appeals, Place 7: Barbara Parker Hervey". Houston Chronicle. October 20, 2018.
^"Judge Alcala Won't Seek Re-Election". The Austin Chronicle. January 6, 2017. Retrieved January 2, 2019.
^ abcMcCullough, Jolie (February 28, 2018). "Three Republicans vie for Texas Court of Criminal Appeals seat, replacing death penalty critic". The Texas Tribune.