2014 Texas gubernatorial election

Summary

The 2014 Texas gubernatorial election was held on November 4, 2014, to elect the governor of Texas. Incumbent Republican Governor Rick Perry, who had served since the resignation of then-Governor George W. Bush on December 21, 2000, declined to run for an unprecedented fourth full term, making this the first open election for governor of the state since 1990.

2014 Texas gubernatorial election

← 2010 November 4, 2014 2018 →
Turnout33.7% (of registered voters)
25.0% (of voting age population)[1]
 
Nominee Greg Abbott Wendy Davis
Party Republican Democratic
Popular vote 2,796,547 1,835,596
Percentage 59.3% 38.9%

Abbott:      40–50%      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%      80–90%      >90%
Davis:      40–50%      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%      80–90%      >90%
Tie:      40–50%      50%
     No data

Governor before election

Rick Perry
Republican

Elected Governor

Greg Abbott
Republican

The election took place between nominees who were selected on March 4, 2014: Republican State Attorney General Greg Abbott and Democratic State Senator Wendy Davis. Also on the ballot were Libertarian Party candidate Kathie Glass[2] and Green Party candidate Brandon Parmer.[3] Abbott was projected to carry the election, and ultimately won handily with a 20.4 percentage point advantage.[4] As of 2022, this is the most recent gubernatorial election in which Bexar, Harris and Hays counties voted Republican and in which Frio, Jim Wells, and Val Verde counties voted Democratic. Exit polls showed Abbott winning Whites (72% to 25%), while Davis received majorities among African Americans (92% to 7%) and Hispanics (55% to 44%). Abbott won roughly half of Hispanic men, 54% of all women, and 62% of married women.[5]

Abbott took office on January 20, 2015, as the 48th Governor of Texas.

Republican primary edit

Candidates edit

Declared edit

Withdrew edit

Declined edit

Endorsements edit

Greg Abbott
Organizations
  • Texas Municipal Police Association[15]
Individuals
Tom Pauken
Organizations
  • Citizens for the Republic[17]
Individuals

Polling edit

Poll source Date(s)
administered
Sample
size
Margin of
error
Greg
Abbott
Lisa
Fritsch
Larry
Kilgore
Miriam
Martinez
Tom
Pauken
Other Undecided
UoT/Texas Tribune February 7–17, 2014 461 ± 4.56% 90% 4% 1% 5%
UoT/Texas Tribune October 18–27, 2013 519 ± 5.02% 50% 3% 1% 2% 2% 42%
Texas Lyceum September 6–20, 2013 279 ± 5.87% 22% 2% 1% 0% 74%
Hypothetical polling
Poll source Date(s)
administered
Sample
size
Margin of
error
Rick
Perry
Greg
Abbott
Someone else Undecided
Public Policy Polling June 28–July 1, 2013 318 ± ?% 46% 34% 20%
44% 39% 17%
UoT/Texas Tribune May 31–June 9, 2013 492 ± 5.27% 45% 19% 11% 25%
UoT/Texas Tribune February 15–24, 2013 549 ± 4.18% 49% 17% 31%
Public Policy Polling January 24–27, 2013 400 ± 4.9% 47% 41% 13%
41% 38% 20%
Burnt Orange Report May 15–16, 2012 462 ± 4.6% 42% 35% 7% 16%

Results edit

Republican primary results[19]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Greg Abbott 1,224,014 91.48
Republican Lisa Fritsch 59,221 4.42
Republican Miriam Martinez 35,585 2.65
Republican Larry Kilgore 19,055 1.42
Total votes 1,337,875 100

Democratic primary edit

Candidates edit

Declared edit

Declined edit

Endorsements edit

Polling edit

Poll source Date(s)
administered
Sample
size
Margin of
error
Wendy
Davis
Ray
Madrigal
Other Undecided
UoT/Texas Tribune February 7–17, 2014 263 ± 6.04% 87% 13%

Results edit

 
Results by county:
  Davis—>90%
  Davis—80–90%
  Davis—70–80%
  Davis—60–70%
  Davis—50–60%
  Tie
  Madrigal—50–60%
  Madrigal—60–70%
  No vote
Democratic primary results[33]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Wendy Davis 432,595 78.08
Democratic Ray Madrigal 121,419 21.91
Total votes 554,014 100

Libertarian nomination edit

Candidates edit

Declared edit

  • Robert Bell, pharmaceutical executive and chemist[34]
  • Robert Garrett, veteran, helicopter mechanic and prison officer[35]
  • Kathie Glass, attorney[36]
  • Robert "Star" Locke, rancher, building contractor, veteran and perennial candidate[37]

Withdrew edit

Results edit

Kathie Glass was nominated at the 2014 party convention.[2]

Green nomination edit

Candidates edit

Declared edit

Independents edit

Candidates edit

Declared edit

Declined edit

General election edit

Debates edit

The first of two confirmed gubernatorial debates between Wendy Davis and Greg Abbott took place at the Edinburg Conference Center at Renaissance at 18:00 on Friday, September 19, co-hosted by KGBT-TV, The Monitor and KTLM-TV.[45] KGBT-TV posted the complete video online and can be viewed here.[46] The debate took place in Edinburg, Texas, and it gave both candidates an opportunity to appeal to the Hispanic community, a grouping seen by Reuters as an "increasingly important voting bloc in Texas."[47] The second debate took place on September 30 and was also posted online.

Predictions edit

Source Ranking As of
The Cook Political Report[48] Likely R November 3, 2014
Sabato's Crystal Ball[49] Safe R November 3, 2014
Rothenberg Political Report[50] Safe R November 3, 2014
Real Clear Politics[51] Likely R November 3, 2014

Polling edit

Poll source Date(s)
administered
Sample
size
Margin of
error
Greg
Abbott (R)
Wendy
Davis (D)
Other Undecided
CBS News/NYT/YouGov October 16–23, 2014 3,987 ± 3% 57% 37% 0% 6%
UoT/Texas Tribune October 10–19, 2014 866 ± 3.6% 54% 38% 8%[52]
Survey Research Center September 22–October 16, 2014 781 ± 3.5% 47% 32% 2%[53] 17%
Crosswind Communications October 9–12, 2014 500 ± 4.33% 52% 31% 0% 16%
Rasmussen Reports October 1–2, 2014 840 ± 3.5% 51% 40% 3% 7%
CBS News/NYT/YouGov September 20–October 1, 2014 4,177 ± 2% 54% 40% 0% 5%
Texas Lyceum[permanent dead link] September 11–25, 2014 666 ± 3.8% 49% 40% 4%[54] 8%
Benenson* September 2–4, 2014 800 ± 3.5% 46% 38% 16%
WPA Opinion Research^ September 3, 2014 ? ± ? 53% 35% 12%
CBS News/NYT/YouGov August 18–September 2, 2014 4,189 ± 2% 56% 38% 2% 5%
Rasmussen Reports August 4–5, 2014 850 ± 3.5% 48% 40% 3% 9%
CBS News/NYT/YouGov July 5–24, 2014 4,320 ± 3.7% 54% 37% 1% 9%
UoT/Texas Tribune May 30–June 8, 2014 1,200 ± 2.83% 44% 32% 7%[55] 17%
Texas Tech University April 14–17, 2014 454 ± 4.6% 54% 25% 6% 15%
Public Policy Polling April 10–13, 2014 559 ± 4.1% 51% 37% 13%
Emerson College Archived March 18, 2014, at the Wayback Machine March 7–12, 2014 494 ± ? 49% 42% 9%
Rasmussen Reports March 3–4, 2014 500 ± 4.5% 53% 41% 1% 4%
UoT/Texas Tribune February 7–17, 2014 1,200 ± 2.83% 47% 36% 17%
Public Policy Polling November 1–4, 2013 500 ± 4.4% 50% 35% 15%
47% 37% 9% 8%
UoT/Texas Tribune October 18–27, 2013 1,200 ± 3.3% 40% 34% 25%
40% 35% 5%[56] 20%
Texas Lyceum September 6–20, 2013 798 ± 3.47% 29% 21% 50%
Public Policy Polling June 28–July 1, 2013 500 ± 4.4% 48% 40% 12%
Public Policy Polling January 24–27, 2013 400 ± 4.9% 46% 34% 20%
Hypothetical polling
With Castro
Poll source Date(s)
administered
Sample
size
Margin of
error
Greg
Abbott (R)
Julian
Castro (D)
Other Undecided
Public Policy Polling June 28–July 1, 2013 500 ± 4.4% 48% 34% 18%
Public Policy Polling January 24–27, 2013 400 ± 4.9% 46% 36% 18%
Poll source Date(s)
administered
Sample
size
Margin of
error
Rick
Perry (R)
Julian
Castro (D)
Other Undecided
Public Policy Polling June 28–July 1, 2013 500 ± 4.4% 50% 43% 8%
Public Policy Polling January 24–27, 2013 400 ± 4.9% 47% 42% 11%
With Davis
Poll source Date(s)
administered
Sample
size
Margin of
error
Tom
Pauken (R)
Wendy
Davis (D)
Other Undecided
UoT/Texas Tribune October 18–27, 2013 1,200 ± 3.3% 34% 38% 28%
33% 36% 6% 25%
Poll source Date(s)
administered
Sample
size
Margin of
error
Rick
Perry (R)
Wendy
Davis (D)
Other Undecided
Public Policy Polling June 28–July 1, 2013 500 ± 4.4% 53% 39% 8%
Public Policy Polling January 24–27, 2013 400 ± 4.9% 47% 41% 13%
With Parker
Poll source Date(s)
administered
Sample
size
Margin of
error
Greg
Abbott (R)
Annise
Parker (D)
Other Undecided
Public Policy Polling June 28–July 1, 2013 500 ± 4.4% 50% 31% 20%
Public Policy Polling January 24–27, 2013 400 ± 4.9% 47% 35% 18%
Poll source Date(s)
administered
Sample
size
Margin of
error
Rick
Perry (R)
Annise
Parker (D)
Other Undecided
Public Policy Polling June 28–July 1, 2013 500 ± 4.4% 52% 35% 13%
Public Policy Polling January 24–27, 2013 400 ± 4.9% 47% 40% 13%
With White
Poll source Date(s)
administered
Sample
size
Margin of
error
Greg
Abbott (R)
Bill
White (D)
Other Undecided
Public Policy Polling June 28–July 1, 2013 500 ± 4.4% 48% 36% 16%
Public Policy Polling January 24–27, 2013 400 ± 4.9% 46% 39% 15%
Poll source Date(s)
administered
Sample
size
Margin of
error
Rick
Perry (R)
Bill
White (D)
Other Undecided
Public Policy Polling June 28–July 1, 2013 500 ± 4.4% 50% 40% 10%
Public Policy Polling January 24–27, 2013 400 ± 4.9% 44% 47% 9%
  • * Poll for the Wendy Davis campaign
  • ^ Poll for the Greg Abbott campaign

Results edit

2014 Texas gubernatorial election[57]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Republican Greg Abbott 2,796,547 59.27% +4.30%
Democratic Wendy Davis 1,835,596 38.90% -3.40%
Libertarian Kathie Glass 66,543 1.41% -0.78%
Green Brandon Parmer 18,520 0.39% 0.00%
Independent Sarah M. Pavitt (write-in) 1,062 0.02% N/A
Total votes 4,718,268 100.0% N/A
Republican hold

Counties that flipped from Democratic to Republican edit

See also edit

References edit

  1. ^ "Turnout and Voter Registration Figures (1970-current)". www.sos.state.tx.us. Retrieved April 3, 2019.
  2. ^ a b "2014 Statewide Offices List". Libertarian Party of Texas. Archived from the original on July 26, 2014. Retrieved July 15, 2014.
  3. ^ "Green Party of Texas - Peace * Justice * Democracy * Ecology". Retrieved October 11, 2014.
  4. ^ "Up and down the ballot, a night of dominance for GOP in Texas and in Harris County". Houston Chronicle. November 5, 2014. Retrieved November 15, 2014.
  5. ^ "2014 Exit Polls - Politics - Fox News". Fox News. Retrieved November 15, 2014.
  6. ^ Hoppe, Christy (July 14, 2013). "Greg Abbott makes it official: He's running for governor of Texas". Archived from the original on March 3, 2016. Retrieved July 15, 2013.
  7. ^ Rauf, David (October 8, 2013). "Another Republican jumps into the race for Texas governor". San Antonio Express-News. Archived from the original on October 12, 2013. Retrieved October 9, 2013.
  8. ^ Fernandez, Manny (November 23, 2012). "With Stickers, a Petition and Even a Middle Name, Secession Fever Hits Texas". The New York Times. Retrieved February 20, 2013.
  9. ^ "Miriam Martinez says she'll run for governor". The Monitor. Retrieved January 22, 2013.
  10. ^ "Tom Pauken withdraws from GOP governor's race". The Dallas Morning News. December 5, 2013. Archived from the original on December 8, 2013. Retrieved December 9, 2013.
  11. ^ Stutz, Terrence. "David Dewhurst '101 percent' sure he'll seek re-election as Texas lieutenant governor | Dallasnews.com - News for Dallas, Texas - The Dallas Morning News". Dallasnews.com. Archived from the original on April 3, 2015. Retrieved July 8, 2013.
  12. ^ "Dewhurst affirms re-election campaign". KTRK-TV Houston. Associated Press. August 7, 2013. Archived from the original on September 11, 2013. Retrieved August 9, 2013.
  13. ^ "Debra Medina - Looking forward to a weekend of..." Facebook. Retrieved July 8, 2013.
  14. ^ "Medina may run for Texas office again in 2014 - PoliTex". Blogs.star-telegram.com. February 20, 2012. Archived from the original on May 11, 2013. Retrieved June 24, 2013.
  15. ^ "Texas Municipal Police Association Endorses Greg Abbott". Abbott for Governor. July 29, 2013. Retrieved October 7, 2013.
  16. ^ Mccalmont, Lucy (February 19, 2014). "Palin backs Abbott in Texas". POLITICO. Retrieved April 3, 2019.
  17. ^ "TOM PAUKEN FOR GOVERNOR OF TEXAS". Citizens for the Republic. July 19, 2013. Archived from the original on February 1, 2014. Retrieved October 7, 2013.
  18. ^ "I want to thank my good friend and fellow Reaganite Mark Levin". Facebook. September 21, 2013. Retrieved October 7, 2013.
  19. ^ http://elections.sos.state.tx.us/elchist169_state.htm 2014 Republican Party Primary Election
  20. ^ "Wendy Davis tells Democrats she's in". Politico. September 26, 2013. Retrieved September 26, 2013.
  21. ^ "Wendy Davis, of filibuster fame, to run for Texas governor". Reuters. September 26, 2013. Retrieved September 27, 2013.
  22. ^ "2014 campaign now off and running in Texas". Star-Telegram. November 9, 2013. Archived from the original on November 10, 2013. Retrieved November 15, 2013.
  23. ^ Cooper, Gary (January 17, 2013). "Mayor Julian Castro says he's not running for governor in 2014". KENS 5. Retrieved January 18, 2013.
  24. ^ "First Reading". www.statesman.com. Retrieved April 24, 2013.
  25. ^ Kennedy, Bud (June 29, 2013). "To Kinky Friedman, a Wendy-for-governor campaign is no joke | Bud Kennedy | Fort Worth, Arlin". Star-telegram.com. Archived from the original on October 6, 2013. Retrieved October 5, 2013.
  26. ^ "Twitter / anniseparker: LOL. I appreciate the". Twitter.com. Retrieved July 18, 2013.
  27. ^ "Mike Villarreal - My mother was the first to call me about..." Facebook. Retrieved June 20, 2013.
  28. ^ "2014 Texas Governor's Race: Democratic Primary Preview". Burnt Orange Report. February 18, 2013. Retrieved June 26, 2013.
  29. ^ "Bill White says Texas lagging in skilled jobs - Houston Chronicle". Chron.com. February 28, 2013. Retrieved June 20, 2013.
  30. ^ Gonzalez, John W. (October 7, 2013). "Mayor Castro endorses Wendy Davis for governor". San Antonio Express-News. Retrieved October 7, 2013.
  31. ^ a b c Joseph, Cameron (October 4, 2013). "EMILY's List endorses Wendy Davis". The Hill. Retrieved October 7, 2013.
  32. ^ "HRC Endorses Wendy Davis for Texas Governor". Human Rights Campaign. January 29, 2014. Archived from the original on February 3, 2014. Retrieved January 31, 2014.
  33. ^ http://elections.sos.state.tx.us/elchist170_state.htm 2014 Democratic Party Primary Election
  34. ^ "Interview with Texas Libertarian Party Gubernatorial Hopeful Robert Bell". Independent Political Report. January 27, 2014. Retrieved February 14, 2014.
  35. ^ "Retired Army sergeant running for governor". Killeen Daily Herald. January 5, 2014. Retrieved February 14, 2014.
  36. ^ "Libertarian Kathie Glass Announces Bid for Governor". The Texas Tribune. June 26, 2013. Retrieved October 5, 2013.
  37. ^ "2014 Texas Statewide Candidates". Burnt Orange Report. Retrieved October 5, 2013.
  38. ^ "Chapman for Governor". The Dalhart Texan. July 15, 2013. Archived from the original on October 16, 2013. Retrieved July 15, 2013.
  39. ^ "Chapman Withdraws from Texas Gubernatorial Race" – Very Good Citizenship Today, personal blog of Gene Chapman. Published 8 January 2014. Retrieved 12 January 2014.
  40. ^ "Lee Wrights Considering Run for Texas Governor | Independent Political Report: Third Party News". Independent Political Report. July 5, 2013. Retrieved July 9, 2013.
  41. ^ Ziggler, Jed (January 20, 2014). "Lee Wrights Drops Out of Texas Gubernatorial Race". Independent Political Report. Retrieved March 5, 2014.
  42. ^ "Texas Greens Occupy Ballot In 2014". Green Party. December 10, 2013. Archived from the original on February 1, 2014. Retrieved January 29, 2014.
  43. ^ Jeff Winkler (October 31, 2014). "If Three's a Crowd..." Texas Monthly. Retrieved November 3, 2014.
  44. ^ Peggy Fikac (October 28, 2013). "Medina not about to run for governor". Express News. Retrieved November 5, 2013.(registration required)
  45. ^ Abbott, Davis to debate in the Rio Grande Valley, staff, Action 4 News, September 19, 2014
  46. ^ Texas Governor Debate, KGBT-TV, September 19, 2014
  47. ^ Richter, Marie (September 20, 2014). "Texas gubernatorial candidates court Hispanic vote in debate". Reuters. Retrieved September 21, 2014.
  48. ^ "2014 Governor Race Ratings for November 3, 2014". The Cook Political Report. Retrieved September 3, 2018.
  49. ^ "The Crystal Ball's Final 2014 Picks". Sabato's Crystal Ball. November 3, 2014. Retrieved September 3, 2018.
  50. ^ "2014 Gubernatorial Ratings". Senate Ratings. The Rothenberg Political Report. Retrieved September 3, 2018.
  51. ^ "2014 Elections Map - 2014 Governors Races". Real Clear Politics. Retrieved September 3, 2018.
  52. ^ Kathie Glass (L) 6%, Brandon Parmer (G) 2%
  53. ^ Kathie Glass (L) 1%, Brandon Parmer (G) 1%
  54. ^ Kathie Glass (L) 2%, Brandon Parmer (G) 2%
  55. ^ Kathie Glass (L) 3%, Brandon Parmer (G) 1%, Other 3%
  56. ^ Kathie Glass (L)
  57. ^ "Office of the Secretary of State Race Summary Report 2014 General Election". Texas Secretary of State. Retrieved August 3, 2015.

External links edit

  • Texas gubernatorial election, 2014 at Ballotpedia
  • Greg Abbott for Governor
  • Wendy Davis for Governor
  • Kathie Glass for Governor
  • Lisa Fritsch for Governor
  • Larry Kilgore for Governor
  • Miriam Martinez for Governor
  • R. Lee Wrights for Governor
  • Gene Chapman for Governor