The 1972 United States House of Representatives elections in Texas occurred on November 7, 1972, to elect the members of the state of Texas's delegation to the United States House of Representatives. Texas had twenty-four seats in the House, up one from the 1960s, apportioned according to the 1970 United States census.
Texas Democrats maintained their governmental trifecta after the 1970 elections. This gave the Democrats full control over the redistricting process. The Texas Legislature enacted its redistricting plan in 1971. Residents of the 6th, 13th, 16th, and 19th congressional districts challenged the constitutionality of the maps in White v. Weiser, but the Supreme Court stayed the case until after the 1972 elections.
These elections occurred simultaneously with the United States Senate elections of 1972, the United States House elections in other states, the presidential election, and various state and local elections.
Democrats maintained their majority of U.S. House seats from Texas, but Republicans gained one seat, putting their majority at twenty out of twenty-four seats. This cycle saw the election of Barbara Jordan, the first African American elected to the House from Texas, and the first African American woman ever elected to the House.
Overview 1972 United States House of Representatives elections in TexasPartyVotesPercentageSeats beforeSeats after+/–Democratic2,032,18370.42%2020 -Republican835,18528.94%34 +1Socialist Workers17,4120.60%00 -American Independent1,1690.04%00 -Totals2,885,949100.00%2324+1
Congressional districts District Incumbent Party Firstelected Result Candidates Wright Patman Democratic 1928 Incumbent re-elected. √ Wright Patman (Democratic) Unopposed John Dowdy Democratic 1952 Incumbent retired.New member elected.Democratic hold. √ Charles Wilson (Democratic) 73.8%Charles O. Brightwell (Republican) 26.2% James M. Collins Republican 1968 Incumbent re-elected. √ James M. Collins (Republican) 73.3%George A. Hughes Jr. (Democratic) 26.7% Ray Roberts Democratic 1962 Incumbent re-elected. √ Ray Roberts (Democratic) 70.2%James Russell (Republican) 29.8% Earle Cabell Democratic 1964 Incumbent lost re-election.New member elected.Republican gain. √ Alan Steelman (Republican) 55.7%Earle Cabell (Democratic) 44.3% Olin E. Teague Democratic 1946 Incumbent re-elected. √ Olin E. Teague (Democratic) 72.6%Carl Nigliazzo (Republican) 27.4% William Reynolds Archer Jr. Republican 1970 Incumbent re-elected. √ William Reynolds Archer Jr. (Republican) 82.3%Jim Brady (Democratic) 17.7% Robert C. Eckhardt Democratic 1966 Incumbent re-elected. √ Robert C. Eckhardt (Democratic) 64.6%Lewis Emerich (Republican) 34.7%Susan Ellis (Socialist Workers) 0.7% Jack Brooks Democratic 1952 Incumbent re-elected. √ Jack Brooks (Democratic) 66.2%Randolph C. Reed (Democratic) 33.8% J. J. Pickle Democratic 1963 Incumbent re-elected. √ J. J. Pickle (Democratic) 91.2%Mellissa Singler (Socialist Workers) 8.8% William R. Poage Democratic 1936 Incumbent re-elected. √ William R. Poage (Democratic) Unopposed Jim Wright Democratic 1954 Incumbent re-elected. √ Jim Wright (Democratic) Unopposed Bob Price Republican 1966 Incumbent re-elected. √ Bob Price (Republican) 54.8%Graham B. Purcell Jr. (Democratic) 45.2% Graham B. Purcell Jr. Democratic 1962 Incumbent lost re-election.Democratic loss. John Andrew Young Democratic 1956 Incumbent re-elected. √ John Andrew Young (Democratic) Unopposed Kika de la Garza Democratic 1964 Incumbent re-elected. √ Kika de la Garza (Democratic) Unopposed Richard C. White Democratic 1964 Incumbent re-elected. √ Richard C. White (Democratic) Unopposed Omar Burleson Democratic 1946 Incumbent re-elected. √ Omar Burleson (Democratic) Unopposed None (district created) New seat.New member elected.Democratic gain. √ Barbara Jordan (Democratic) 80.6%Paul Merritt (Republican) 18.2%Emmanuel Barrera (Socialist Workers) 1.2% George H. Mahon Democratic 1934 Incumbent re-elected. √ George H. Mahon (Democratic) Unopposed Henry B. Gonzalez Democratic 1961 Incumbent re-elected. √ Henry B. Gonzalez (Democratic) 96.9%Steve Wattenmaker (Socialist Workers) 3.1% O. C. Fisher Democratic 1942 Incumbent re-elected. √ O. C. Fisher (Democratic) 56.8%Doug Harlan (Republican) 43.2% Robert R. Casey Democratic 1958 Incumbent re-elected. √ Robert R. Casey (Democratic) 70.2%Jim Griffin (Republican) 29.0%Frank Peto (Independent) 0.8% Abraham Kazen Democratic 1966 Incumbent re-elected. √ Abraham Kazen (Democratic) Unopposed None (district created) New seat.New member elected.Democratic gain. √ Dale Milford (Democratic) 65.1%Courtney G. Roberts (Republican) 34.9%
See also List of United States representatives from Texas United States House of Representatives elections, 1972
References