2006 Texas House of Representatives election


The 2006 Texas House of Representatives elections took place as part of the biennial United States elections. Texas voters elected state representatives in all 150 State House of Representatives districts. The winners of this election served in the 80th Texas Legislature. State representatives serve for two-year terms. Republicans maintained control of the House, losing five seats to the Democrats.

Background

Following the 2002 elections, the Republicans gained control of the House, giving them a governmental trifecta for the first time since Reconstruction. Democrats gained a net of one seat back from the Republicans in the 2004 elections, holding onto many rural districts that Republicans had targeted.

Special Elections

District 48: A special election was held on January 7, 2006, to fill the unexpired term of Rep. Todd Baxter, who resigned on November 1, 2005. Democrat Donna Howard received 49.46% in the special election, narrowly missing the 50% mark needed to win outright, so she faced Republican Ben Bentzin in the runoff on February 14, 2006. Howard won the runoff with 57.62%, flipping the district.

Predictions

Analysts did not consider the Texas House to be a competitive legislative chamber.
SourceRankingAs of
The Rothenberg Political ReportJuly 7, 2006

Results

Democrats gained a net of five seats from the Republicans.

House race summary, Districts 26–50

'District 33'

'District 48'