Popular vote by congressional district. As this is a first-past-the-post election, seat totals are not determined by total popular vote in the state, but instead by results in each congressional district.
In 2018, for the first time in at least 25 years, the Texas Democratic Party fielded at least one candidate in each of the state's 36 congressional districts.[1] The state congressional delegation changed from a 25–11 Republican majority to a 23–13 Republican majority, the most seats that Democrats had won in the state since 2006. Democrats won almost 47% of the vote, likely due to the down-ballot effect of Representative Beto O'Rourke's Senate candidacy, in which he won 48.3% of the vote, but also because four Democrat incumbents faced no Republican opposition in their general elections.
Turnout was also more than doubled from the last midterm election.
The first district is located in East Texas, including Deep East Texas, and takes in Longview, Lufkin, and Tyler. Incumbent Republican Louie Gohmert, who had represented the district since 2005, ran for re-election. He was re-elected with 73.9% of the vote in 2016. The district had a PVI of R+25.
This district is located in Greater Houston, including parts of northern and western Houston, as well as Humble, Kingwood, and Spring. Incumbent Republican Ted Poe, who had represented the district since 2005, did not run for re-election. He was re-elected with 60.6% of the vote in 2016. The district had a PVI of R+11.
The 3rd district is located in the Dallas–Fort Worth metroplex, including the Dallas suburbs of Frisco, McKinney, and Plano. Incumbent Republican Sam Johnson, who had represented the district since 1991, did not run for re-election. He was re-elected with 61.2% of the vote in 2016. The district had a PVI of R+13.
The 4th district is located in Northern and Northeastern Texas, including Paris, Sherman, and Texarkana. Incumbent Republican John Ratcliffe, who had represented the district since 2015, ran for re-election. He was re-elected with 88.0% of the vote in 2016. The district had a PVI of R+28, making it one of the most conservative districts in the nation.
The 5th district stretches from the eastern Dallas suburbs, including Mesquite, down into East Texas including Athens and Palestine. Incumbent Republican Jeb Hensarling, who had represented the district since 2003, announced in October 2017 that he was going to retire and not seek re-election to another term.[45] He was re-elected with 80.6% of the vote in 2016. The district had a PVI of R+16.
The 6th district is located in the Dallas–Fort Worth metroplex, including parts of Arlington, as well as Dalworthington Gardens and Mansfield. The district also stretches southward, taking in Corsicana and Ennis. Incumbent Republican Joe Barton, who had represented the district since 1985, announced in November 2017 that he would not run for re-election.[48] He was re-elected with 58.3% of the vote in 2016. The district had a PVI of R+9.
The 7th district includes parts of western Houston and Bellaire. Incumbent Republican John Culberson, who had represented the district since 2001, ran for re-election. He was re-elected with 56.2% of the vote in 2016. The district had a PVI of R+7.
In February 2018, the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee, citing concerns about Laura Moser's electability in the general election, called attention to some of her past statements that they deemed controversial.[64] That action was condemned by DNC chair Tom Perez[65] and Our Revolution, which endorsed Moser a few days later.[66]
The 8th district includes much of the northern suburbs of Houston, such as Conroe, Huntsville, and The Woodlands. Incumbent Republican Kevin Brady, who had represented the district since 1997, ran for re-election. He was re-elected unopposed in 2016. The district had a PVI of R+28.
The 9th district serves the southwestern portion of the Greater Houston area including parts of Missouri City and Sugar Land. Incumbent Democrat Al Green, who had represented the district since 2005, ran for re-election. He was re-elected with 80.6% of the vote in 2016. The district had a PVI of D+28.
The 10th district includes portions of northern Austin and its suburbs, such as Manor and Pflugerville. The district stretches eastward into rural areas of Central Texas and the outer suburbs of Houston, including Cypress, Katy, and Tomball. Incumbent Republican Michael McCaul, who had represented the district since 2005, ran for re-election. He was re-elected with 57.3% of the vote in 2016. The district had a PVI of R+9.
In the Democratic primary, Mike Siegel and Tawana Cadien advanced to the runoff, where Siegel ultimately prevailed. Siegel refused all corporate PAC donations.[78]
In the general election, McCaul won against Siegel by 4.3 percent of the vote, the closest contest McCaul had faced.[81] The outcome was notable in a district political experts rate as "Heavily Republican."[82][83]
The 11th district is located in the Concho Valley including Midland, Odessa, and San Angelo. Incumbent Republican Mike Conaway, who had represented the district since 2005, ran for re-election. He was re-elected with 89.5% of the vote in 2016. The district had a PVI of R+32, making this one of the most Republican districts in the country..
The 12th district is centered around Fort Worth and the surrounding suburbs including North Richland Hills, Weatherford, and White Settlement. Incumbent Republican Kay Granger, who had represented the district since 1997, ran for re-election. He was re-elected with 69.4% of the vote in 2016. The district had a PVI of R+18.
The 13th district includes most of the Texas Panhandle, parts of Texoma and northeastern parts of North Texas. It winds across the Panhandle into the South Plains, then runs east across the Red River Valley. Covering over 40,000 square miles (100,000 km2), it is the second-largest district geographically in Texas and larger in area than thirteen entire states. The principal cities in the district are Amarillo and Wichita Falls. Incumbent Republican Mac Thornberry, who had represented the district since 1995, ran for re-election. He was re-elected with 90.0% of the vote in 2016. The district had a PVI of R+33, making it the most Republican district in the country.
The 14th district covers the Gulf Coast area of Texas, including Beaumont, Galveston, and League City. Republican Randy Weber is the incumbent, serving since 2013. He was reelected with 61.9% of the vote in 2016. The district's PVI is R+12.
The 15th district stretches from parts of South Texas including Edinburg, Hebbronville, and McAllen, to the northeastern suburbs of San Antonio such as Schertz and Seguin. Incumbent Democrat Vicente González, who had represented the district since 2017, ran for re-election. He was re-elected with 57.3% of the vote in 20. The district had a PVI of D+7.
The 16th district is centered around El Paso and the surrounding areas. Incumbent Democrat Beto O'Rourke, who had represented the district since 2013, retired from his seat to challenge Senator Ted Cruz in the state's senate election. He was re-elected with 85.7% of the vote in 2016. The district had a PVI of D+17.
The 17th district is located in Central Texas including the Bryan-College station metro, Waco, and stretches to parts of North Austin. Incumbent Republican Bill Flores, who had represented the district since 2011, ran for re-election. He was re-elected with 60.8% of the vote in 2016. The district had a PVI of R+12.
The 18th district is centered on inner Houston and the surrounding area. It has been the Downtown Houston district since 1973. Incumbent Democratic Sheila Jackson Lee, who had represented the district since 1995, ran for re-election. She was re-elected with 73.5% of the vote in 2016. The district had a PVI of D+27.
The 19th district is located in upper rural West Texas, including Abilene, Lubbock, and Plainview. Incumbent Republican Jodey Arrington, who had represented the district since 2017, ran for re-election. He was elected with 86.7% of the vote in 2016. The district had a PVI of R+27.
The 20th district is centered on the western half of San Antonio and the surrounding inner suburbs including Balcones Heights and Helotes. Incumbent Democrat Joaquín Castro, who had represented the district since 2013, ran for re-election. He was re-elected with 79.7% of the vote in 2016. The district had a PVI of D+10.
The 21st district starts in the San Antonio metro, including parts of north San Antonio and New Braunfels, extending into the Austin metro, taking in parts of San Marcos and south Austin. Incumbent Republican Lamar Smith, who had represented the district since 1987, announced in November 2017 that he would retire at the end of his current term, and not seek re-election.[104] He was re-elected with 57.0% of the vote in 2016. The district had a PVI of R+10.
Run-off debates were held on April 12 after the primary, one hour each for the two Democratic candidates (audioArchived May 13, 2018, at the Wayback Machine) and the two Republican candidates (audioArchived May 13, 2018, at the Wayback Machine).
Matt McCall, small business owner, businessman and candidate for this seat in 2014 & 2016
Susan Narvaiz, former mayor of San Marcos, businesswoman, former president and CEO of Core Strategies, Inc. and nominee for the 35th District in 2012, 2014 & 2016
William Negley, non-profit founder, organizer, CIA intelligence officer and congressional aide
Al Poteet, businessman and US Army veteran
Autry Pruitt, political commentator, author and activist
Jenifer Sarver, businesswoman, congressional aide and former Department of Commerce official
Robert Stovall, former Chair of the Bexar County Republican Party, chemist and financial advisor
Elliott McFadden, businessman, Peace Corps member, former executive director of the Travis County Democratic Party, consultant, former Executive at AustinCarShare, Austin B-Cycle executive director, communications coordinator[109]
Mary Street Wilson, pastor, teacher, math professor, social justice activist[109]
The 22nd district is located Greater Houston taking in suburban areas of Friendswood, Pearland, and Sugar Land. Incumbent Republican Pete Olson, who had represented the district since 2009, ran for re-election. He was re-elected with 59.5% of the vote in 2016. The district had a PVI of R+10.
Because Texas's 22nd congressional district is one of the most diverse in Texas, the Kulkarni campaign took the unorthodox approach of reaching out to infrequent voters in their own neighborhoods and languages,[113][114] including Gujarati, Marathi, Tamil and Mandarin.[115] If elected, Kulkarni would have become the first Asian-American ever to serve in the Texas congressional delegation.[116]
The 23rd district stretches from rural Southwestern Texas, including Alpine, Del Rio, and Socorro, into the Greater San Antonio area, taking in Hondo and the outer areas of San Antonio. It is a prominently Hispanic-majority district. Incumbent Republican Will Hurd, who had represented the district since 2015, ran for re-election. He was narrowly re-elected with 48.7% of the vote in 2016. The district had a PVI of R+1.
The 24th district is centered around Mid-Cities suburbs of the Dallas–Fort Worth metroplex including Bedford, Carrollton, and Euless. Incumbent Republican Kenny Marchant, who had represented the district since 2005, ran for re-election. He was re-elected with 56.2% of the vote in 2016. The district had a PVI of R+9.
The 25th district stretches from the outer suburbs of Fort Worth, including Burleson and Cleburne down into rural Central Texas, and takes in the Austin exurbs of Dripping Springs, Lakeway, West Lake Hills, as well as parts of downtown Austin. Incumbent Republican Roger Williams, who had represented the district since 2013, ran for re-election. He was re-elected with 58.4% of the vote in 2016. The district had a PVI of R+11.
The 26th district is centered on the northern Dallas–Fort Worth suburbs, including Denton, Keller, and Lewisville. Incumbent Republican Michael C. Burgess, who had represented the district since 2003, ran for re-election. He was re-elected with 66.4% of the vote in 2016. The district had a PVI of R+18.
The 27th district is located in the Coastal Bend, anchored by Corpus Christi, and the surrounding areas including Port Aransas and Victoria. The most recent representative was Republican Blake Farenthold, who served from 2011 until April 2018. Farenthold was re-elected with 61.7% of the vote in 2016, and the district's PVI is R+13.
Farenthold retired from Congress and did not run for re-election in 2018.[136][137] Farenthold resigned on April 6, 2018.[138]Michael Cloud, the Republican nominee for the general election, won a June 30 special election to fill the remainder of the term.[139]
The 28th district starts in parts of the Rio Grande Valley, including Laredo, Mission and Rio Grande City and stretches north into the San Antonio suburbs including Converse and Live Oak. Incumbent Democrat Henry Cuellar, who had represented the district since 2005, ran for re-election. He was re-elected with 66.2% of the vote in 2016. The district had a PVI of D+9.
The 29th district is anchored by parts of Houston and the surrounding suburbs including Pasadena and South Houston. Incumbent Democrat Gene Green, who had represented the district since 1993, announced in November 2017 that would not run for re-election in 2018.[146] He was re-elected with 72.5% of the vote in 2016. The district had a PVI of D+19.
The 30th district is centered around Dallas and its surrounding suburbs, including Cedar Hill and Lancaster. Incumbent Democrat Eddie Bernice Johnson, who had represented the district since 1993, ran for re-election. She was re-elected with 77.9% of the vote in 2016. The district had a PVI of D+29.
The 31st district is located in north Austin and the surrounding suburbs including Georgetown and Round Rock. The district also stretches north into Killeen and Temple. Incumbent Republican John Carter, who had represented the district since 2003, ran for re-election. He was re-elected with 58.4% of the vote in 2016. The district had a PVI of R+10.
The 32nd district is centered around the northeastern inner Dallas suburbs, including Garland, Richardson, and the Park Cities. Incumbent Republican Pete Sessions, who had represented the district since 1997, ran for re-election. He was re-elected with 71.1% of the vote in 2016. The district had a PVI of R+5.
Edward Meier, longtime Democratic operative, executive director of BigThought, former co-Executive Director of Hillary Clinton's presidential transition team[157]
The 34th district is centered around the Rio Grande Valley, including Brownsville, Harlingen, and Weslaco. Incumbent Democrat Filemon Vela Jr., who had represented the district since 2013, ran for re-election. He was re-elected with 62.7% of the vote in 2016. The district had a PVI of D+10.
The 35th district stretches from Downtown San Antonio up into Austin metro, including Lockhart, San Marcos, and parts of east Austin. Incumbent Democrat Lloyd Doggett, who had represented the district since 2013 and previously represented both the 10th district and 25th district since 1995, ran for re-election. He was re-elected with 63.1% of the vote in 2016. The district had a PVI of D+15.
In March 2017, a panel of federal judges ruled that the 35th district was illegally drawn with discriminatory intent.[166] In August 2017 there was another ruling that the district is unconstitutional.[167]
The 36th district takes in the Bay Area outer suburbs of Houston, including Baytown, Deer Park, and La Porte. The district also includes rural Southeastern Texas, such as Lumberton and Orange. Incumbent Republican Brian Babin, who had represented the district since 2015, ran for re-election. He was re-elected with 88.6% of the vote in 2016. The district had a PVI of R+26.
^"Please vote Kevin Roberts for U.S. House of Representatives on Tuesday, May 22nd!". nrapvf.org. NRA-PVF. Archived from the original on August 16, 2023. Retrieved August 16, 2023. The NRA Political Victory Fund (NRA-PVF) has endorsed Kevin Roberts for the U.S. House of Representatives in the May 22, 2018, Republican primary runoff election in the 2nd Congressional District of Texas.
^ ab"Endorsements". climatehawksvote.com. Climate Hawks Vote Political Action. Archived from the original on December 20, 2018. Retrieved August 22, 2023.
^Diaz, Kevin (May 4, 2018). "DCCC head stands by attack on Laura Moser in Democratic primary runoff with Lizzie Fletcher". Houston Chronicle. Retrieved May 26, 2018. As he has in the past, Lujan said the DCCC's move was about promoting what party officials see as the most electable candidate to challenge Seventh Congressional District Republican incumbent John Culberson in November...Meanwhile, the DCCC has backed away from formally endorsing Fletcher.
^Greenwood, Max (March 3, 2018). "DNC chair questions House campaign arm's attack on progressive candidate". The Hill. Archived from the original on June 22, 2018. I would have done it differently," he continued. "I think the DCCC has the ability to endorse in primaries, and they do that from time to time. But again, I would have done it differently."...The DCCC has framed Moser as an unelectable candidate in a critical race, pointing to concerns about her residency and accusations that her husband is improperly benefitting financially from her campaign. The Sanders-affiliated group called the DCCC's attacks "ridiculous.
^Hagen, Lisa (March 1, 2018). "Sanders allies endorse Texas candidate attacked by DCCC". The Hill. Retrieved May 26, 2018. A progressive group allied with Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) endorsed a Texas Democrat running in a crowded House primary on March 1, just days after House Democrats' campaign arm targeted the candidate.
^ ab"Candidates". electgoppatriots.org/. National Republican Congressional Committee. Archived from the original on November 7, 2018. Retrieved June 5, 2023.
^ abcdefgTHE CHRONICLE EDITORIAL BOARD (February 16, 2018). "Chronicle Endorsements". The Austin Chronicle. Archived from the original on October 16, 2018. Retrieved August 16, 2023.
^ abcdefg"Endorsements". weareprogressives.org. Congressional Progressive Caucus. Archived from the original on November 5, 2018. Retrieved August 22, 2023.
^"Our Candidates". boldprogressives.org. Progressive Change Campaign Committee PAC. Archived from the original on November 10, 2018. Retrieved September 13, 2023.
^"NRA Endorses Pete Sessions for U.S. House of Representatives". NRA-ILA. September 20, 2018. Archived from the original on September 21, 2018. Retrieved September 20, 2018. the National Rifle Association Political Victory Fund (NRA-PVF) today endorsed Rep. Pete Sessions for re-election to the U.S. House of Representatives.