2014 Texas gubernatorial election explained

Election Name:2014 Texas gubernatorial election
Country:Texas
Type:presidential
Ongoing:no
Previous Election:2010 Texas gubernatorial election
Previous Year:2010
Next Election:2018 Texas gubernatorial election
Next Year:2018
Election Date:November 4, 2014
Turnout:33.7% (of registered voters)
25.0% (of voting age population)[1]
Image1:File:Greg Abbott crop.jpg
Nominee1:Greg Abbott
Party1:Republican Party (United States)
Popular Vote1:2,796,547
Percentage1:59.27%
Nominee2:Wendy Davis
Party2:Democratic Party (United States)
Popular Vote2:1,835,596
Percentage2:38.90%
Governor
Before Election:Rick Perry
Before Party:Republican Party (United States)
After Election:Greg Abbott
After Party:Republican Party (United States)

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.

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

Candidates

Declared

Withdrew

Declined

Polling

Poll sourceDate(s)
administered
Sample
size
Margin of
error
Greg
Abbott
Lisa
Fritsch
Larry
Kilgore
Miriam
Martinez
Tom
Pauken
OtherUndecided
UoT/Texas TribuneFebruary 7–17, 2014461± 4.56% align=center90%4%1%5%
UoT/Texas TribuneOctober 18–27, 2013519± 5.02% align=center50%3%1%2%2%42%
Texas LyceumSeptember 6–20, 2013279± 5.87% align=center22% align=center2%1%0% align=center74%
Poll sourceDate(s)
administered
class=small Sample
size
Margin of
error
Rick
Perry
Greg
Abbott
Someone elseUndecided
Public Policy PollingJune 28–July 1, 2013318± ?% align=center46%34%20%
align=center44%39%17%
UoT/Texas TribuneMay 31–June 9, 2013492± 5.27% align=center45%19%11%25%
UoT/Texas TribuneFebruary 15–24, 2013549± 4.18% align=center49%17%31%
Public Policy PollingJanuary 24–27, 2013400± 4.9% align=center47%41%13%
align=center41%38%20%
Burnt Orange ReportMay 15–16, 2012462± 4.6% align=center42%35%7%16%

Results

Democratic primary

Candidates

Declared

Declined

Results

Libertarian nomination

Candidates

Declared

Withdrew

Results

Kathie Glass was nominated at the 2014 party convention.

Green nomination

Candidates

Declared

Independents

Candidates

Declared

Declined

General election

Debates

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.[36] KGBT-TV posted the complete video online and can be viewed here.[37] 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."[38] The second debate took place on September 30 and was also posted online.

Predictions

SourceRankingAs of
align=left The Cook Political Report[39] November 3, 2014
align=left Sabato's Crystal Ball[40] November 3, 2014
align=left Rothenberg Political Report[41] November 3, 2014
align=left Real Clear Politics[42] November 3, 2014

Polling

Poll sourceDate(s)
administered
class=small Sample
size
Margin of
error
Greg
Abbott (R)
Wendy
Davis (D)
OtherUndecided
CBS News/NYT/YouGovOctober 16–23, 20143,987± 3% align=center57%37%0%6%
UoT/Texas TribuneOctober 10–19, 2014866± 3.6% align=center54%38%8%[43]
Survey Research CenterSeptember 22–October 16, 2014781± 3.5% align=center47%32%2%[44] 17%
Crosswind CommunicationsOctober 9–12, 2014500± 4.33% align=center52%31%0%16%
Rasmussen ReportsOctober 1–2, 2014840± 3.5% align=center51%40%3%7%
CBS News/NYT/YouGovSeptember 20–October 1, 20144,177± 2% align=center54%40%0%5%
September 11–25, 2014666± 3.8% align=center49%40%4%[45] 8%
Benenson*September 2–4, 2014800± 3.5% align=center46%38%16%
WPA Opinion Research^September 3, 2014?± ? align=center53%35%12%
CBS News/NYT/YouGovAugust 18–September 2, 20144,189± 2% align=center56%38%2%5%
Rasmussen ReportsAugust 4–5, 2014850± 3.5% align=center48%40%3%9%
CBS News/NYT/YouGovJuly 5–24, 20144,320± 3.7% align=center54%37%1%9%
UoT/Texas TribuneMay 30–June 8, 20141,200± 2.83% align=center44%32%7%[46] 17%
Texas Tech UniversityApril 14–17, 2014454± 4.6% align=center54%25%6%15%
Public Policy PollingApril 10–13, 2014559± 4.1% align=center51%37%13%
Emerson College March 7–12, 2014494± ? align=center49%42%9%
Rasmussen ReportsMarch 3–4, 2014500± 4.5% align=center53%41%1%4%
UoT/Texas TribuneFebruary 7–17, 20141,200± 2.83% align=center47%36%17%
Public Policy Pollingalign=center rowspan=2November 1–4, 2013align=center rowspan=2500align=center rowspan=2± 4.4% align=center50%35%15%
align=center47%37%9%8%
UoT/Texas Tribunealign=center rowspan=2October 18–27, 2013align=center rowspan=21,200align=center rowspan=2± 3.3% align=center40%34%25%
align=center40%35%5%[47] 20%
Texas LyceumSeptember 6–20, 2013798± 3.47%29%21% align=center50%
Public Policy PollingJune 28–July 1, 2013500± 4.4% align=center48%40%12%
Public Policy PollingJanuary 24–27, 2013400± 4.9% align=center46%34%20%
With Castro
Poll sourceDate(s)
administered
class=small Sample
size
Margin of
error
Greg
Abbott (R)
Julian
Castro (D)
OtherUndecided
Public Policy PollingJune 28–July 1, 2013500± 4.4% align=center48%34%18%
Public Policy PollingJanuary 24–27, 2013400± 4.9% align=center46%36%18%
Poll sourceDate(s)
administered
class=small Sample
size
Margin of
error
Rick
Perry (R)
Julian
Castro (D)
OtherUndecided
Public Policy PollingJune 28–July 1, 2013500± 4.4% align=center50%43%8%
Public Policy PollingJanuary 24–27, 2013400± 4.9% align=center47%42%11%
With Davis
Poll sourceDate(s)
administered
class=small Sample
size
Margin of
error
Tom
Pauken (R)
Wendy
Davis (D)
OtherUndecided
UoT/Texas Tribunealign=center rowspan=2October 18–27, 2013align=center rowspan=21,200align=center rowspan=2± 3.3%34% align=center38%28%
33% align=center36%6%25%
Poll sourceDate(s)
administered
class=small Sample
size
Margin of
error
Rick
Perry (R)
Wendy
Davis (D)
OtherUndecided
Public Policy PollingJune 28–July 1, 2013500± 4.4% align=center53%39%8%
Public Policy PollingJanuary 24–27, 2013400± 4.9% align=center47%41%13%
With Parker
Poll sourceDate(s)
administered
class=small Sample
size
Margin of
error
Greg
Abbott (R)
Annise
Parker (D)
OtherUndecided
Public Policy PollingJune 28–July 1, 2013500± 4.4% align=center50%31%20%
Public Policy PollingJanuary 24–27, 2013400± 4.9% align=center47%35%18%
Poll sourceDate(s)
administered
class=small Sample
size
Margin of
error
Rick
Perry (R)
Annise
Parker (D)
OtherUndecided
Public Policy PollingJune 28–July 1, 2013500± 4.4% align=center52%35%13%
Public Policy PollingJanuary 24–27, 2013400± 4.9% align=center47%40%13%
With White
Poll sourceDate(s)
administered
class=small Sample
size
Margin of
error
Greg
Abbott (R)
Bill
White (D)
OtherUndecided
Public Policy PollingJune 28–July 1, 2013500± 4.4% align=center48%36%16%
Public Policy PollingJanuary 24–27, 2013400± 4.9% align=center46%39%15%
Poll sourceDate(s)
administered
class=small Sample
size
Margin of
error
Rick
Perry (R)
Bill
White (D)
OtherUndecided
Public Policy PollingJune 28–July 1, 2013500± 4.4% align=center50%40%10%
Public Policy PollingJanuary 24–27, 2013400± 4.9%44% align=center47%9%

Results

Counties that flipped from Democratic to Republican

See also

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Turnout and Voter Registration Figures (1970-current). www.sos.state.tx.us. April 3, 2019.
  2. Web site: 2014 Statewide Offices List . Libertarian Party of Texas . July 15, 2014 . https://web.archive.org/web/20140726081410/https://www.lptexas.org/texas-statewide-offices/84-candidates/1118-2014-statewide-offices-list . July 26, 2014 . dead .
  3. Web site: Green Party of Texas - Peace * Justice * Democracy * Ecology. October 11, 2014.
  4. Web site: Up and down the ballot, a night of dominance for GOP in Texas and in Harris County. Houston Chronicle. November 5, 2014 . November 15, 2014.
  5. Web site: 2014 Exit Polls - Politics - Fox News. Fox News. November 15, 2014.
  6. Web site: Greg Abbott makes it official: He's running for governor of Texas. July 14, 2013. Hoppe. Christy. July 15, 2013. March 3, 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20160303181519/http://trailblazersblog.dallasnews.com/2013/07/greg-abbott-makes-it-official-hes-running-for-governor.html/. dead.
  7. Web site: Another Republican jumps into the race for Texas governor. San Antonio Express-News. October 8, 2013. Rauf. David. October 9, 2013. October 12, 2013. https://web.archive.org/web/20131012070636/http://blog.mysanantonio.com/texas-politics/2013/10/another-republican-jumps-into-the-race-for-texas-governor/. dead.
  8. News: With Stickers, a Petition and Even a Middle Name, Secession Fever Hits Texas. November 23, 2012. February 20, 2013. The New York Times. Manny. Fernandez.
  9. Web site: Miriam Martinez says she'll run for governor. The Monitor . January 22, 2013.
  10. Web site: Tom Pauken withdraws from GOP governor's race. The Dallas Morning News. 5 December 2013. 9 December 2013. December 8, 2013. https://web.archive.org/web/20131208233755/http://trailblazersblog.dallasnews.com/2013/12/tom-pauken-withdraws-from-gop-governors-race.html/. dead.
  11. Web site: 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 . July 8, 2013 . April 3, 2015 . https://web.archive.org/web/20150403173952/http://www.dallasnews.com/news/politics/state-politics/20130104-david-dewhurst-101-percent-sure-hell-seek-re-election-as-texas-lieutenant-governor.ece . dead .
  12. News: Dewhurst affirms re-election campaign. https://web.archive.org/web/20130911140411/http://abclocal.go.com/ktrk/story?section=news%2Fstate&id=9199062. dead. September 11, 2013. Associated Press. KTRK-TV Houston. August 7, 2013. August 9, 2013. mdy-all.
  13. Web site: Debra Medina - Looking forward to a weekend of... . Facebook . July 8, 2013.
  14. Web site: Medina may run for Texas office again in 2014 - PoliTex . Blogs.star-telegram.com . February 20, 2012 . June 24, 2013 . https://web.archive.org/web/20130511001923/http://blogs.star-telegram.com/politex/2012/02/medina-may-again-run-for-texas-office-in-2014.html . May 11, 2013 . dead .
  15. Web site: Wendy Davis tells Democrats she's in . Politico . September 26, 2013 . September 26, 2013.
  16. Web site: Wendy Davis, of filibuster fame, to run for Texas governor . Reuters . September 26, 2013 . September 27, 2013.
  17. Web site: 2014 campaign now off and running in Texas . Star-Telegram . November 9, 2013 . November 15, 2013 . https://web.archive.org/web/20131110114912/http://www.star-telegram.com/2013/11/09/5321330/2014-campaign-now-off-and-running.html . November 10, 2013 . dead .
  18. Web site: Cooper. Gary. Mayor Julian Castro says he's not running for governor in 2014. KENS 5. January 17, 2013. January 18, 2013.
  19. Web site: First Reading . www.statesman.com . April 24, 2013.
  20. Web site: Kennedy . Bud . To Kinky Friedman, a Wendy-for-governor campaign is no joke | Bud Kennedy | Fort Worth, Arlin . Star-telegram.com . June 29, 2013 . October 5, 2013 . https://web.archive.org/web/20131006065434/http://www.star-telegram.com/2013/06/29/4972503/to-kinky-friedman-a-wendy-for.html . October 6, 2013 . dead .
  21. Web site: Twitter / anniseparker: LOL. I appreciate the . Twitter.com . July 18, 2013.
  22. Web site: Mike Villarreal - My mother was the first to call me about... . Facebook . June 20, 2013.
  23. Web site: 2014 Texas Governor's Race: Democratic Primary Preview. Burnt Orange Report . February 18, 2013. June 26, 2013.
  24. Web site: Bill White says Texas lagging in skilled jobs - Houston Chronicle . Chron.com . February 28, 2013 . June 20, 2013.
  25. Web site: Interview with Texas Libertarian Party Gubernatorial Hopeful Robert Bell . Independent Political Report . January 27, 2014 . February 14, 2014.
  26. Web site: Retired Army sergeant running for governor . Killeen Daily Herald . January 5, 2014 . February 14, 2014.
  27. Web site: Libertarian Kathie Glass Announces Bid for Governor . The Texas Tribune . June 26, 2013 . October 5, 2013.
  28. Web site: 2014 Texas Statewide Candidates . Burnt Orange Report . October 5, 2013.
  29. Web site: Chapman for Governor . The Dalhart Texan . July 15, 2013 . July 15, 2013 . https://web.archive.org/web/20131016012628/http://thedalharttexan.com/index.php?mact=News,cntnt01,detail,0&cntnt01articleid=2592&cntnt01origid=15&cntnt01returnid=27 . October 16, 2013 . dead .
  30. http://verygoodcitizenshiptoday.blogspot.com.au/2014/01/chapman-withdraws-from-texas.html "Chapman Withdraws from Texas Gubernatorial Race"
  31. Web site: Lee Wrights Considering Run for Texas Governor | Independent Political Report: Third Party News . Independent Political Report . July 5, 2013 . July 9, 2013.
  32. Web site: Ziggler . Jed . Lee Wrights Drops Out of Texas Gubernatorial Race . January 20, 2014 . Independent Political Report . 2014-03-05.
  33. Web site: Texas Greens Occupy Ballot In 2014 . Green Party . December 10, 2013 . January 29, 2014 . https://web.archive.org/web/20140201221613/http://www.gp.org/index.php/newsroom/press-releases/details/4/662.html . February 1, 2014 . dead . mdy-all .
  34. News: If Three's a Crowd.... October 31, 2014. November 3, 2014. Texas Monthly. Jeff Winkler.
  35. News: Medina not about to run for governor. October 28, 2013. November 5, 2013. Express News. Peggy Fikac.
  36. http://www.valleycentral.com/debate/ Abbott, Davis to debate in the Rio Grande Valley
  37. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FThK3OglizQ Texas Governor Debate
  38. News: Richter. Marie. Texas gubernatorial candidates court Hispanic vote in debate. September 20, 2014 . Reuters. 21 September 2014.
  39. Web site: 2014 Governor Race Ratings for November 3, 2014 . The Cook Political Report . September 3, 2018.
  40. Web site: The Crystal Ball's Final 2014 Picks . Sabato's Crystal Ball . November 3, 2014 . September 3, 2018.
  41. Web site: 2014 Gubernatorial Ratings . Senate Ratings . The Rothenberg Political Report . September 3, 2018.
  42. Web site: 2014 Elections Map - 2014 Governors Races . Real Clear Politics . September 3, 2018.
  43. Kathie Glass (L) 6%, Brandon Parmer (G) 2%
  44. Kathie Glass (L) 1%, Brandon Parmer (G) 1%
  45. Kathie Glass (L) 2%, Brandon Parmer (G) 2%
  46. Kathie Glass (L) 3%, Brandon Parmer (G) 1%, Other 3%
  47. Kathie Glass (L)