Republicans carried Galveston County in most major races Tuesday, Nov. 3, even as Texas voters delivered historic statewide victories to Democrats James Talarico and Gina Hinojosa in the races for U.S. Senate and governor.
With all Galveston County polling locations reporting, unofficial results showed Republican candidates winning the county in every statewide partisan contest, while maintaining their hold on several important local offices.
The most significant statewide result came in the U.S. Senate race, where Democrat James Talarico defeated Republican Ken Paxton, becoming the first Democrat elected to the U.S. Senate from Texas since 1988.
Galveston County voters favored Paxton, who received 69,943 votes, or 52%, compared with 62,051 votes, or 46.1%, for Talarico. Libertarian Ted Brown received 2,561 votes.
Texas voters also elected Democrat Gina Hinojosa as governor, defeating three-term Republican incumbent Greg Abbott. Hinojosa will become the state’s first Latina governor and its first Democratic governor since Ann Richards left office in 1995.
Abbott nevertheless carried Galveston County with 72,745 votes, or 54%, compared with Hinojosa’s 59,716 votes, or 44.3%. Libertarian Pat Dixon received 2,167 votes.
The results illustrated a notable divide between Galveston County and the state as a whole, with local voters continuing to favor Republicans despite the Democratic victories at the top of the statewide ballot.
Republican incumbent Randy Weber maintained his seat in Congress, defeating Democrat Thurman Bill Bartie in Texas’ 14th Congressional District. In Galveston County, Weber received 76,494 votes, or 57.1%, compared with Bartie’s 57,459 votes, or 42.9%.
Republicans also maintained their advantage in the county’s state legislative races, although one contest produced a different result.
In Texas House District 24, which includes Friendswood and portions of northern Galveston County, Republican incumbent Greg Bonnen defeated Democrat Frank N. Carr. Bonnen received 51,402 votes, or 61.6%, compared with Carr’s 32,098 votes, or 38.4%.
In Texas House District 23, Republican incumbent Terri Leo Wilson won reelection, defeating Democratic challenger Cheryl Lynn Clark with 37,996 votes, or 56.1%, compared with Clark’s 29,801 votes, or 43.9%.
Interestingly, Galveston County voters narrowly favored Clark, who received 25,011 votes locally compared with Wilson’s 23,714. However, Wilson’s stronger performance elsewhere in the district secured her victory by 8,195 votes districtwide.In Texas Senate District 11, Republican Dennis Paul led Democrat Shannon Dicely in Galveston County with 73,507 votes, or 56.1%, compared with 57,529 votes, or 43.9%, for Dicely.
Republican incumbent Brett Ligon also carried the Galveston County portion of Senate District 4, receiving 1,204 votes to Democrat Ron C. Angeletti’s 293.
At the county level, Republican incumbent Mark Henry won another term as Galveston County judge, defeating Democrat Albert Al Smith. Henry received 75,229 votes, or 57.2%, compared with Smith’s 56,325 votes, or 42.8%.
Henry’s victory preserves Republican leadership of Commissioners Court, which oversees the county’s budget, administrative operations and emergency management.
Galveston County voters also favored Republican candidates in other major statewide contests, including lieutenant governor and attorney general.
Republican incumbent Dan Patrick received 71,938 votes in Galveston County, compared with 58,211 for Democrat Vikki Goodwin. In the attorney general’s race, Republican Mayes Middleton received 73,508 votes locally, compared with 57,915 for Democrat Nathan Johnson.
Republican candidates also carried Galveston County in the races for comptroller, land commissioner, agriculture commissioner and railroad commissioner, as well as the contested statewide judicial races.
While Democrats achieved historic victories in the statewide races for governor and U.S. Senate, Galveston County’s results demonstrated that Republican candidates continue to enjoy substantial support among local voters.
All Galveston County polling locations have reported their results. The vote totals remain unofficial until the election results are formally canvassed.
