The 2014 United States Senate election in Texas was held on November 4, 2014, to elect a member of the United States Senate. Incumbent Republican senator and Senate Minority Whip John Cornyn ran for election to a third term. Primary elections were held on March 4, 2014. Since no Democratic candidate received over 50% in the first round of the primary, a runoff election was required on May 27, 2014. David Alameel, who came in first in the primary, won the runoff and became his party's nominee. In the general election, Cornyn defeated Alameel in a landslide.
This is the last time Bexar, Fort Bend, Harris and Hays would vote for a Republican in a U.S. Senate election.
Republican primary In February 2014, Republican Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell was targeted in a controversial television ad by Dwayne Stovall, who labeled McConnell—John Cornyn’s Senate leadership superior—an ineffective “Beltway turtle” out of touch with rank-and-file Republicans. Before the ad, Stovall’s candidacy had received little media attention.
Candidates Nominee
John Cornyn, incumbent U.S. Senator
Eliminated in primary Curt Cleaver, hotel industry consultant and candidate for the U.S. Senate in 2012 Ken Cope, aerospace executive and retired United States Army Lieutenant Colonel Chris Mapp, businessman Reid Reasor, Tea Party activist Steve Stockman, U.S. Representative Dwayne Stovall, bridge construction contractor, school board member from Cleveland and candidate for the State House of Representatives in 2012 Linda Vega, attorney and immigration activist
Withdrew Erick Wyatt, U.S. Army veteran
Declined Greg Abbott, Texas attorney general (ran for governor) David Barton, author, minister and former vice chair of the Republican Party of Texas David Dewhurst, Lieutenant Governor of Texas (ran for re-election) Louie Gohmert, U.S. Representative (ran for re-election) Debra Medina, activist and candidate for Governor in 2010 (ran for Comptroller of Public Accounts)
Endorsements
Polling Poll source CurtCleaver KenCope JohnCornyn ChrisMapp ReidReasor SteveStockman DwayneStovall LindaVega Other UndecidedPublic Policy PollingPublic Policy Polling November 1–4, 2013 388 ± 4.4% — — 41% — — 18% — — — 44%Wilson Perkins AllenWilson Perkins Allen December 13, 2013 762 ± 3.6% — — 50% — — 6% — — 5% 39%Gravis MarketingGravis Marketing February 10–12, 2014 729 ± 3.6% — — 43% — — 28% — — — 29%UoT/Texas TribuneUoT/Texas Tribune February 7–17, 2014 461 ± 4.56% 1% 4% 62% 3% 3% 16% 4% 7% — —
Poll source JohnCornyn conservative UndecidedGravis MarketingGravis Marketing October 26, 2013 563 ± 3% 33% 46% 21%Public Policy Polling November 1–4, 2013 388 ± 4.4% 33% 49% 18%
Poll source JohnCornyn DwayneStovall ErickWyatt UndecidedUoT/Texas TribuneUoT/Texas Tribune October 18–27, 2013 519 ± 5.02% 39% 7% 6% 48%
Poll source JohnCornyn DavidBarton RafaelCruz LouieGohmert RonPaul RickPerry SteveStockman UndecidedUoT/Texas Tribune October 18–27, 2013 519 ± 5.02% 25% — 41% — 18% — 3% 13% 35% — — — — 46% — 20% 34% — — — 44% — — 22% 40% — — 31% — — — 29% 39% — 33% — — — — 28%Public Policy Polling November 1–4, 2013 388 ± 4.4% 51% 18% — — — — — 31%
Results
Because Cornyn surpassed a majority in the primary, he faced no runoff election. Cornyn's winning percent and margin of victory were the lowest by any Texas Republican U.S. Senator in a primary election in state history.
Democratic primary Candidates Nominee
David Alameel, businessman and candidate for Texas's 33rd congressional district in 2012
Eliminated in the runoff
Kesha Rogers, Worldwide LaRouche Youth Movement activist and nominee for Texas's 22nd congressional district in 2010 and 2012
Eliminated in the primary Michael Fjetland, businessman, Independent candidate for Texas's 22nd congressional district in 2004 and Republican candidate for the seat in 2006 HyeTae "Harry" Kim, physician Maxey Scherr, attorney
Declined Wendy Davis, state senator (running for governor) Bill White, former mayor of Houston and nominee for governor in 2010
Endorsements
Polling Poll source DavidAlameel MichaelFjetland HarryKim KeshaRogers MaxeyScherr Other UndecidedUoT/Texas Tribune February 7–17, 2014 263 ± 6.04% 27% 9% 14% 35% 15% — —
Results
Runoff Because no candidate received over 50% of the vote in the primary, the two with the most votes – David Alameel and Kesha Rogers – advanced to a runoff on May 27.
Libertarian convention Candidates Nominee
Rebecca Paddock, electrical engineer
Eliminated at the convention Tanuja Paruchuri, holistic wellness coach Jon Roland, computer programmer and nominee for Texas Attorney General in 2002, 2006 and 2010
Green nomination
Candidates
Nominee Emily Marie Sanchez
General election
Debates + 2014 United States Senate election in Texas debate Date Host Moderator Link Republican DemocraticKey: Participant Absent Not invited Invited Withdrawn John Cornyn David Alameel1 Oct. 24, 2014 KUVN-DT Wendy CruzC-SPAN
Predictions Source Ranking As of The Cook Political Report November 3, 2014 Sabato's Crystal Ball November 3, 2014 Rothenberg Political Report November 3, 2014 Real Clear Politics November 3, 2014
Polling Poll source JohnCornyn (R) DavidAlameel (D) Other UndecidedPublic Policy PollingPublic Policy Polling April 10–13, 2014 559 ± 4.1% 49% 32% — 20%UoT/Texas TribuneUoT/Texas Tribune May 30 – June 8, 2014 1,200 ± 2.83% 36% 25% 13%Rebecca Paddock (L) 5%, Emily Marie Sanchez (G) 3%, Other 5% 26%CBS News/NYT/YouGovCBS News/NYT/YouGov July 5–24, 2014 4,353 ± 3.7% 52% 35% 3% 10%Rasmussen ReportsRasmussen Reports August 4–5, 2014 4,353 ± 3.0% 47% 29% 6% 19%CBS News/NYT/YouGovCBS News/NYT/YouGov August 18 – September 2, 2014 4,189 ± 2% 55% 39% 3% 8%Texas LyceumTexas Lyceum September 11–25, 2014 666 ± 3.8% 48% 30% 8%Rebecca Paddock (L) 4%, Emily Marie Sanchez (G) 4% 14%CBS News/NYT/YouGovCBS News/NYT/YouGov September 20 – October 1, 2014 4,177 ± 2% 55% 35% 1% 9%Rasmussen Reports October 1–2, 2014 840 ± 3.5% 50% 29% 6% 15%UoT/Texas TribuneUoT/Texas Tribune October 10–19, 2014 866 ± 3.6% 57% 31% 12%Rebecca Paddock (L) 7%, Emily Marie Sanchez (G) 5% —CBS News/NYT/YouGov October 16–23, 2014 3,987 ± 3% 57% 35% 1% 8%
With Castro Poll source JohnCornyn (R) JulianCastro (D) UndecidedPublic Policy PollingPublic Policy Polling January 24–27, 2012 500 ± 4.4% 48% 41% 11%Public Policy PollingPublic Policy Polling June 28 – July 1, 2013 500 ± 4.4% 50% 37% 13%Public Policy Polling November 1–4, 2013 500 ± 4.4% 49% 35% 17%
Poll source LouieGohmert (R) JulianCastro (D) UndecidedPublic Policy Polling November 1–4, 2013 500 ± 4.4% 44% 35% 21%
With Davis Poll source JohnCornyn (R) WendyDavis (D) UndecidedPublic Policy Polling January 24–27, 2012 500 ± 4.4% 48% 37% 14%Public Policy Polling June 28 – July 1, 2013 500 ± 4.4% 48% 40% 12%
With Parker Poll source JohnCornyn (R) AnniseParker (D) UndecidedPublic Policy Polling January 24–27, 2012 500 ± 4.4% 47% 36% 16%Public Policy Polling June 28 – July 1, 2013 500 ± 4.4% 49% 36% 15%
With White Poll source JohnCornyn (R) BillWhite (D) UndecidedPublic Policy Polling January 24–27, 2012 500 ± 4.4% 45% 42% 13%Public Policy Polling June 28 – July 1, 2013 500 ± 4.4% 47% 40% 13%Public Policy Polling November 1–4, 2013 500 ± 4.4% 44% 39% 17%
Poll source LouieGohmert (R) BillWhite (D) UndecidedPublic Policy Polling November 1–4, 2013 500 ± 4.4% 40% 39% 21%
Results
Counties that flipped from Democratic to Republican Bexar (largest municipality: San Antonio) Culberson (largest municipality: Van Horn) Harris (largest municipality: Houston) Kenedy (largest municipality: Sarita) Kleberg (largest municipality: Kingsville) La Salle (largest municipality: Cotulla) Reeves (largest municipality: Pecos) Brewster (largest city: Alpine) Uvalde (largest city: Uvalde) Nueces (largest municipality: Corpus Christi) Val Verde (largest municipality: Del Rio) Jefferson (largest city: Beaumont) Hudspeth (largest city: Fort Hancock)
By congressional district Cornyn won 26 of 36 congressional districts, including one that elected a Democrat. District Cornyn Alameel Representative 79% 21%Louie Gohmert 68% 32%Ted Poe 70% 30% Sam Johnson80%20%Ralph Hall (113th Congress)John Ratcliffe (114th Congress) 71% 29%Jeb Hensarling 63% 37%Joe Barton 67% 33%John Culberson 83% 17%Kevin Brady 26% 74%Al Green 64% 36%Michael McCaul 87% 13%Mike Conaway 71% 29%Kay Granger 87% 13%Mac Thornberry 64% 36%Randy Weber 49.9% 50.1%Rubén Hinojosa 44% 56%Beto O'Rourke 68% 32%Bill Flores 27% 73%Sheila Jackson Lee 84% 16%Randy Neugebauer 49% 51%Joaquín Castro 65% 35%Lamar Smith 68% 32%Pete Olson61%39%Pete Gallego (113th Congress)Will Hurd (114th Congress) 67% 33%Kenny Marchant 64% 36%Roger Williams 73% 27%Michael Burgess 69% 31%Blake Farenthold 50.1% 49.9%Henry Cuellar 39% 61%Gene Green 23% 77%Eddie Bernice Johnson 67% 33%John Carter 64% 36%Pete Sessions 32% 68%Marc Veasey 49.6% 50.4%Filemon Vela Jr. 41% 59%Lloyd Doggett78%22%Steve Stockman (113th Congress)Brian Babin (114th Congress)
See also 2014 United States Senate elections 2014 United States elections 2014 United States House of Representatives elections in Texas 2014 Texas gubernatorial election
Notes
References
External links Official campaign websites (Archived) John Cornyn David Alameel Curt Cleaver Michael Fjetland Chris Mapp Reid Reasor Kesha Rogers Jon Roland Maxey Scherr Steve Stockman Dwayne Stovall Linda Vega Rebecca Paddock U.S. Senate elections in Texas, 2014 at Ballotpedia Campaign contributions at OpenSecrets