United States Senate election in Texas, 2012

United States Senate election in Texas, 2012

November 6, 2012

Turnout 49.7% (voting eligible)[1]   Nominee Ted Cruz Paul Sadler Party Republican Democratic Popular vote 4,440,137 3,194,927 Percentage 56.60% 40.50%

County results

U.S. Senator before election Kay Bailey Hutchison Republican Elected U.S. Senator Ted Cruz Republican

The 2012 United States Senate election in Texas was held on November 6, 2012, along with other elections to the United States Senate the United States House of Representatives in additional states. Incumbent Republican U.S. Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison decided to retire instead of running for re-election to a fourth full term.

Libertarian John Jay Myers was elected by nomination at the Texas Libertarian Party State Convention on June 8, 2012. After the first round of primary on May 29, 2012, a runoff was held on July 31, 2012, for both the Democratic and Republican parties, with Paul Sadler and Ted Cruz winning, respectively. Cruz won the open seat.

Background

In an interview with Texas Monthly published in December 2007, incumbent senator Kay Bailey Hutchison stated that she would not seek re-election and might also resign from the Senate as early as 2009 to run for Governor of Texas.^[2] After the 2008 elections, Hutchison formed an exploratory committee to run for governor in 2010.^[3] State Republican Party Chairman Cathie Adams later called upon Hutchison to clarify when she would vacate the Senate so that other Republican candidates could make preparations to run.^[4]

On December 4, 2008, Hutchison set up an exploratory committee, setting up a primary battle with incumbent Republican governor Rick Perry.^[5] Fellow Texas senator and National Republican Senatorial Committee Chairman John Cornyn tried to convince Hutchison to stay in the Senate, for fear of losing the seat to the Democrats.^[6] On January 15, 2009, Hutchison transferred nearly all the money, approximately $8 million, from her federal campaign account to her gubernatorial exploratory committee.^[7] On November 13, 2009, Hutchison announced that she would not resign from the Senate seat until after the primary on March 2, 2010.^[8]

Hutchison lost the gubernatorial primary to Perry and on March 31, 2010, she announced her intention to serve out her third term.^[9] On January 13, 2011, after some discussion about whether she would change her mind,^[10] Hutchison announced she would not seek re-election in 2012.^[11]

Requirements for nomination

Texas requires a majority for nomination, and a second round runoff between the two candidates with the two highest pluralities if none win a majority on the first round.^[12] No candidate won a majority in either 2012 major party first round primary, so both parties had a runoff on July 31, 2012.

Republican primary

Candidates

Declared

• Glenn Addison, funeral home owner^[13]
• Joe Agris, plastic surgeon^[14]
• Curt Cleaver, owner of a hotel sales, consulting, and management company^[15]
• Ted Cruz, former State Solicitor General^[16][17]
• David Dewhurst, Texas Lieutenant Governor^[18]
• Ben Gambini^[19]
• Charles Holcomb, retired judge from the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals^[20]
• Craig James, sports commentator and former professional football player^[21]
• Tom Leppert, former mayor of Dallas^[22]
• Lela Pittenger, mediator^[23]

Withdrew

• Elizabeth Ames Jones, Texas Railroad Commissioner (withdrew to run for state senate)^[24]
• Florence Shapiro, Texas state senator (dropped out)^[25]
• Michael Williams, former Texas Railroad Commissioner (withdrew to run for U.S. House)^[26]
• Roger Williams, former Texas Secretary of State (withdrew to run for U.S. House)^[27]

Declined

• Kay Bailey Hutchison, incumbent U.S. senator^[11]
• Robert Paul, doctor and son of Ron Paul^[28]
• Ron Paul, U.S. Representative (running for President)^[29]
• Dan Patrick, Texas state senator^[30]

Endorsements

Ted Cruz

Sarah Palin, 2008 Republican VP candidate and former Governor of Alaska[31] Rand Paul, United States Senator from Kentucky[32][33] Pat Toomey, United States Senator from Pennsylvania[33] Justin Amash, United States Congressman from Michigan CD3[34] Jim DeMint, United States Senator from South Carolina[33][35] Mike Lee, United States Senator from Utah[33][36] Ron Paul, United States Congressman from Texas CD14 and 2012 Republican Presidential candidate[37] Rick Santorum, former United States Senator from Pennsylvania and 2012 Republican Presidential candidate[38] Edwin Meese, former United States Attorney General[33] Cathie Adams, former Chairman of the Republican Party of Texas[33] Tina Benkiser, former Chairman of the Republican Party of Texas[33] George Strake, Jr., former Chairman of the Republican Party of Texas[33] Mark Levin, conservative talk radio host[33][39] Erick Erickson, American conservative blogger and managing editor of the prominent blog site RedState.com[33][39] George P. Bush, co-founder of "Hispanic Republicans of Texas" and nephew of President George W. Bush[33][40] Michael Farris, founder of the Home School Legal Defense Association[33] David Barton, founder of WallBuilders[33] Dr. Robert P. George, professor of Princeton University and former chairman of the National Organization for Marriage[33] Dr. James Dobson, psychologist, founder of Focus on the Family and Family Research Council[33] Family Research Council[33] Americans For Prosperity Concerned Women for America[33] Republican Liberty Caucus[33] Club for Growth, a fiscally conservative PAC[33][39] FreedomWorks, conservative Tea Party group[33][39] Sean Hannity, conservative talk radio and Fox News host[41] Tea Party Conservative, conservative blog[42] Tea Party Express[33][43] Citizens United[33] Gun Owners of America[33][44] Young Conservatives of Texas[33]

David Dewhurst

Rick Perry, Governor of Texas and 2012 Republican Presidential candidate[45] James Inhofe, United States Senator from Oklahoma[46] Dallas Morning News,[47] Mike Huckabee, former Governor of Arkansas and 2008 presidential candidate[46][48] Michael Reagan, conservative talk radio host[46] Rick Scarborough, President of Vision America[46] BEEF-PAC[46] Combined Law Enforcement Associations of Texas[46] Independent Bankers Association of Texas[49] National Association of Realtors[46] Texas Agricultural Aviation Association[50] Texas Alliance for Life[46] Texas and Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association[46] Texas Apartment Association[51] Texas Association of Business[52] Texas Association of Manufacturers[53] Texas Department of Public Safety Officers Association[46] Texas Farm Bureau Friends of Agriculture Fund[46] Texas Hospital Association[54] Texas Medical Association[46] Texas Municipal Police Association[46] Texas Oil and Gas PAC[46] Texas Poultry Federation[46] Texas Restaurant Association[46] Texas Retailers Association[55] Texas Right to Life[46] Texas Society of Professional Engineers[56] Texas State Association of Fire Fighters[46] Texas State Lodge of the Fraternal Order of Police[46] Texas Wildlife Association[57]

Polling

Poll source	Date(s) administered	Sample size	Margin of error	Ted Cruz	David Dewhurst	Craig James	Tom Leppert	Lela Pittenger	Other	Undecided
Public Policy Polling	May 22–23, 2012	482	± 4.5%	29%	46%	5%	15%	—	2%	5%
BOR/People Calling People	May 15–16, 2012	557	± 4.2%	30%	43%	5%	14%	4%	3%[58]	—
UoT/Texas Tribune	May 2012	274	± 5.92%	31%	40%	4%	17%	3%	4%[59]	2%
DWBS	April 27–30, 2012	400	± 4.5%	16%	51%	2%	7%	—	—	24%
Public Policy Polling	April 19–22, 2012	400	± 4.9%	26%	38%	7%	8%	—	22%
UoT/Texas Tribune	February 8–15, 2012	366	± 5.12%	27%	38%	7%	7%	1%	20%[60]	—
Public Policy Polling	January 12–15, 2012	559	± 4.2%	18%	36%	4%	7%	1%	3%[61]	31%
Baselice & Associates •	Oct. 31–Nov. 2, 2011	600	± 4%	6%	50%	—	9%	—	—	35%

Poll source	Date(s) administered	Sample size	Margin of error	Ted Cruz	David Dewhurst	Elizabeth Ames Jones	Tom Leppert	Dan Patrick	Michael Williams	Roger Williams	Other	Undecided
UoT/Texas Tribune	October 19–26, 2011	800	± 4.93%	10%	22%	2%	5%	—	—	—	12%[62]	50%
Public Policy Polling	September 15–18, 2011	400	± 4.9%	12%	41%	7%	6%	—	—	—	—	34%
Public Policy Polling	June 25–27, 2011	400	± 4.9%	11%	40%	3%	5%	11%	—	2%	2%[63]	26%
DWBS +	June 4–5, 2011	450	± 4.62%	2%	—	4%	11%	19%	—	6%	—	58%
				6%	—	—	—	29%	—	—	—	64%
Texas Lyceum	May 24–31, 2011	147	± 8.08%	1%	27%	2%	3%	—	0%	4%	3%[64]	56%[65]
UoT/Texas Tribune	May 11–18, 2011	388	± 4.98%	2%	25%	1%	4%	—	6%	2%	—	—
UoT/Texas Tribune	February 11–17, 2011	374	± 5.07%	3%	27%	2%	–	—	5%	2%	9%[66]	52%
Public Policy Polling	January 14–16, 2011	400	± 4.9%	3%	23%	6%	3%	—	3%	1%	42%[67]	19%

•  • Commissioned by David Dewhurst
• ⁺ Commissioned by Dan Patrick

Results

Republican primary results[68]
Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Republican	David Dewhurst	624,170	44.6
	Republican	Ted Cruz	479,079	34.2
	Republican	Tom Leppert	186,675	13.3
	Republican	Craig James	50,211	3.6
	Republican	Glenn Addison	22,888	1.6
	Republican	Lela Pittenger	18,028	1.3
	Republican	Ben Gambini	7,193	0.5
	Republican	Curt Cleaver	6,649	0.5
	Republican	Joe Argis	4,558	0.3
Total votes			1,399,451	100

Runoff

Polling

Poll source	Date(s) administered	Sample size	Margin of error	Ted Cruz	David Dewhurst	Undecided
Public Policy Polling	July 28–29, 2012	665	±3.8%	52%	42%	6%
Public Policy Polling	July 10–11, 2012	468	±4.5%	49%	44%	7%
Wenzel Strategies	July 10–11, 2012	600	±4%	47%	38%	14%
Public Policy Polling	May 22–23, 2012	482	±4.5%	34%	59%	7%

Results

Republican runoff results[69]
Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Republican	Ted Cruz	631,316	56.8
	Republican	David Dewhurst	480,165	43.2
Total votes			1,111,481	100

Democratic primary

Candidates

Filed

• Addie Allen, disaster assistance employee for the Department of Homeland Security^[70]
• Sean Hubbard, businessman^[70][71]
• Paul Sadler, attorney and former state Representative^[71][72]
• Grady Yarbrough, retired teacher^[71]

Withdrew

• Daniel Boone, retired Air Force Colonel (withdrew to run for 21st U.S. Congressional District in Texas; lost in Democratic primary)^[73][74]
• Jason Gibson, President of the Houston Trial Lawyers Association (filed,^[75] but dropped out in February 2012)^[76]
• Ricardo Sanchez, former United States Army Lieutenant General (dropped out)^[77]

Declined

• Julian Castro, Mayor of San Antonio^[78]
• Adrian Garcia, Harris County sheriff^[79]
• Ron Kirk, U.S. trade representative and former Mayor of Dallas^[80]
• Nick Lampson, former U.S. representative^[81]
• John Sharp, former Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts^[82]
• Leticia Van de Putte, Texas state senator^[83]
• Bill White, former Mayor of Houston, originally announced that he would be running for the seat when it is vacated by Hutchison. On December 4, 2009, White announced that he was running for governor instead.^[84] After receiving the Democratic nomination for governor and losing the general election, White declared on November 15, 2010, that he would not run for the U.S. Senate in 2012.^[85]

Polling

Poll source	Date(s) administered	Sample size	Margin of error	Addie Allen	Sean Hubbard	Paul Sadler	Grady Yarbrough	Others
University of Texas/Texas Tribune	May 2012	234	±6.41%	22%	22%	35%	12%	Don't know (9%)

Results

Democratic primary results[86]
Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	Paul Sadler	174,020	35.1
	Democratic	Grady Yarbrough	128,058	25.8
	Democratic	Addie Allen	113,447	22.9
	Democratic	Sean Hubbard	80,037	16.2
Total votes			495,562	100

Runoff

Democratic runoff results[87]
Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	Paul Sadler	148,805	63.1
	Democratic	Grady Yarbrough	87,090	36.9
Total votes			235,895	100

Libertarian Party nomination

The Libertarian Party was qualified for the ballot (based on its 2010 performance at the polls). The Texas Libertarian Party nominated John Jay Myers as its Senate candidate, using approval voting on June 9 at the state convention in Fort Worth. The nominating process followed a two-round debate featuring six candidates for the nomination.

Candidates

• Robert Butler
• Wayne Huffman
• Scott Jameson
• John Jay Myers, restaurant owner^[88][89]
• S. Ropal Raju
• Jon Roland

Results

Libertarian convention approval vote[90]
Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Libertarian	John Jay Myers	97	78.9
	Libertarian	Scott Jameson	28	22.8
	Libertarian	John Roland	27	21.9
	Libertarian	Robert Butler	19	15.4
	Libertarian	S. Ropal Raju	3	2.4
	Libertarian	Wayne Huffman	2	1.6
Total ballots			123	143%[91]
Total votes			176

Green Party nomination

The Green Party of Texas reported two candidates pre-selected at the June 9 convention:^[92] David B. Collins and Victoria Ann Zabaras. Collins was ultimately nominated (official blog).

General election

Candidates

• Ted Cruz, (Republican) former State Solicitor General
• Paul Sadler, (Democratic) former State Representative
• John Jay Myers, (Libertarian) restaurant owner
• David Collins (Green), IT service desk analyst^[93]
• Chris Tina Bruce (Independent)^[94]
• Mike Champion (Independent)^[95]

Debates

• Complete video and transcript at C-SPAN, first debate, October 2, 2012
• Complete video and transcript at C-SPAN, second debate, October 19, 2012

Fundraising

Candidate (party)	Receipts	Disbursements	Cash on hand	Debt
Ted Cruz (R)	$9,053,212	$7,600,914	$1,452,297	$795,000
Paul Sadler (D)	$139,197	$108,442	$30,753	$12,197
John Jay Myers (L)	$6,139	$547	$5,591	$0
Source: Federal Election Commission[96][97][98]

Top contributors

^[99]

Paul Sadler	Contribution	Ted Cruz	Contribution
Communications Workers of America	$5,000	Club for Growth	$659,777
International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers	$5,000	Senate Conservatives Fund	$200,549
International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers	$5,000	Morgan, Lewis & Bockius	$41,600
United Transportation Union	$5,000	Goldman Sachs	$40,750
Velvin Oil Co	$5,000	RE Janes Gravel Co	$37,500
3-D Secure	$2,500	Woodforest National Bank	$37,000
American Federation of Teachers	$2,500	Jones Day	$34,900
Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers	$2,500	Bartlit, Beck, Herman, Palenchar & Scott	$36,350
Galyean Lp	$2,500	Baker Botts	$32,313
University of Houston	$2,500	Crow Holdings	$30,000

Top industries

^[100]

Paul Sadler	Contribution	Ted Cruz	Contribution
Industrial Unions	$15,000	Republican/Conservative	$825,098
Lawyers/Law Firms	$9,000	Lawyers/Law Firms	$551,662
Transportation Unions	$7,500	Retired	$437,961
Retired	$7,500	Oil & Gas	$325,850
Public Sector Unions	$2,500	Financial institutions	$305,110
Financial Institutions	$2,500	Real estate	$240,300
Education	$2,500	Leadership PACs	$235,549
Candidate Committees	$2,000	Misc Finance	$185,700
Lobbyists	$1,000	Health Professionals	$155,880
Civil Servants/Public Officials	$500	Misc Business	$148,874

Polling

Poll source	Date(s) administered	Sample size	Margin of error	Ted Cruz (R)	Paul Sadler (D)	John Jay Myers (L)	Undecided
University of Texas/Texas Tribune	October 15–20, 2012	540	± 4.22%	54%	39%	—	7%
Texas Lyceum	September 10–26, 2012	1,175	± 2.83%	50%	24%	—	26%
YouGov	September 14, 2012	1,201	± 2.8%	50%	31%	—	19%
Frederick Polling	September 2012	700	± 3.7%	49%	32%	6%	14%
Public Policy Polling	April 19–22, 2012	591	± 4.0%	44%	34%	—	22%
Public Policy Polling	January 12–15, 2012	700	± 3.7%	41%	31%	—	28%

Results

United States Senate election in Texas, 2012
Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%
	Republican	Ted Cruz	4,456,599	56.60%	-5.10%
	Democratic	Paul Sadler	3,183,314	40.50%	+4.50%
	Libertarian	John Jay Myers	161,462	2.10%	-0.2%
	Green	David Collins	67,791	0.9%
Majority			1,273,285	16.10%
Turnout			7,869,166
	Republican hold		Swing

See also

• United States Senate elections, 2012
• United States House of Representatives elections in Texas, 2012

References

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2. Smith, Evan (December 2008). "Kay Bailey Hutchison". Texas Monthly. Retrieved December 19, 2010.
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11. Janda, Greg (January 13, 2011). "Sen. Hutchison Won't Run for Re-Election in 2012". KXAS-TV (NBC Universal, Inc.).
12. Texas Election Code - Section 172.003. Majority Vote Required - Texas Attorney Resources - Texas Laws
13. "Addison announces candidacy for Senate".
14. Texans Have a Voice in 2012 Presidential Primary at State-Wide “Saddle Up” Straw Poll in Houston Jan 12 – 14 | Texas GOP Vote
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31. Ariel Edwards-Levy (May 10, 2012). "Sarah Palin Endorses Ted Cruz For U.S. Senate In Texas". Yahoo. Retrieved August 4, 2013.
32. Austin news, sports, weather, Longhorns, business | Statesman.com
33. Ted Cruz for U.S. Senate - Endorsements
34. http://www.facebook.com/expandliberty
35. DeMint Endorses Ted Cruz in Texas Primary : Roll Call Politics
36. Gillman, Todd. "Ted Cruz gets Utah Sen. Mike Lee endorsement for Senate". The Dallas Morning News. Retrieved March 23, 2011.
37. Mark Whittington (May 7, 2012). "Ron, Rand Paul Endorse Ted Cruz for Texas Senate Seat". Yahoo. Retrieved August 4, 2013.
38. "Santorum endorses Ted Cruz in Texas Senate race".
39. Will, George F. (June 16, 2011). "In Ted Cruz, a candidate as good as it gets". The Washington Post. Retrieved June 22, 2011.
40. "George P. endorses Cruz".
41. "Santorum Endorses Cruz, Cites "Wow Factor"".
42. "Endorsement: Ted Cruz for TX Senate".
43. Tea Party Express | 2012 Endorsements | Tea Party Express
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45. Rick Perry Stars in Ad for Dewhurst in Texas Senate Race - Yahoo! News
46. "Endorsements for David Dewhurst; Dewhurst for Texas". Archived from the original on 2012-10-09. Retrieved 2013-10-09.
47. Editorial: Dewhurst deserves GOP nod | Dallas Morning News Editorials - Opinion and Commentary for Dallas, Texas - The Dallas Morning News
48. Huck PAC - Blogs - Gov. Huckabee and Huck PAC endorse David Dewhurst for US Senate
49. IBAT Endorses David Dewhurst for U.S. Senate | Dewhurst for Texas
50. Texas Agricultural Aviation Association endorses Dewhurst for U.S. Senate | Dewhurst for Texas
51. Texas Apartment Association endorses Dewhurst for Senate | Dewhurst for Texas
52. Texas Association of Business BACPAC endorses Dewhurst for U.S. Senate | Dewhurst for Texas
53. Manufacturers Endorse Dewhurst for U.S. Senate | Dewhurst for Texas
54. Texas Hospital Association HOSPAC endorses Dewhurst for U.S. Senate | Dewhurst for Texas
55. Texas Retailers Association PAC endorses Dewhurst for U.S. Senate | Dewhurst for Texas
56. TSPE Endorses David Dewhurst for U.S. Senate | Dewhurst for Texas
57. Texas Wildlife Association Endorses Dewhurst for U.S. Senate | Dewhurst for Texas
58. Glenn Addison 2%, Curt Cleaver 1%, Joe Agris 0%, Ben Gambini 0%
59. Glenn Addison 2%, Joe Agris 1%, Curt Cleaver 1%, Ben Gambini 0%
60. Glenn Addison 1%, Curt Cleaver 0%, Charles Holcomb 0%, Other 19%
61. Joe Agris 2%, Glenn Addison 1%, Charles Holcomb 0%
62. Michael McCaul 5%, Glenn Addison 0%, Another Republican candidate 7%
63. Glenn Addison 2%, Lela Pittenger 0%
64. Michael McCaul 3%
65. Haven't thought much about it 56%
66. Michael McCaul 4%, Other 5%
67. Ron Paul 21%, Greg Abbott 14%, Joe Barton 7%
68. 2012 Republican Party Primary Election - RESULTS
69. http://enr.sos.state.tx.us/enr/results/july31_162_state.htm
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77. Lederman, Josh (December 16, 2011). "Lone Democrat drops out of Senate race in Texas". The Hill. Retrieved December 16, 2011.
78. http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/ap/tx/7639390.html
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81. Moore, Sarah (December 19, 2011). "Nick Lampson running for 14th Congressional District". The Beaumont Enterprise. Retrieved December 19, 2011.
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86. 2012 Democratic Party Primary Election - RESULTS
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88. "John Jay Myers Campaign". Retrieved July 27, 2011.
89. "2012 Texas Candidates". Retrieved July 15, 2011.
90. Independent Political Report - LIVE Blogging from Texas LP Convention
91. Note: percentages add up to 143.1%. This corresponds to an average of 1.431 approval votes per ballot.
92. Texas Greens official website
93. TexasGreenCandidates.com
94. Wright, John (January 11, 2011). "WATCH: Chris Tina Bruce on discrimination". Dallas Voice. Retrieved January 11, 2011.
95. Home Page
96. Sadler Campaign Finances
97. Cruz Campaign Finances
98. Jay Myers Campaign Finances
99. http://www.opensecrets.org/races/contrib.php?cycle=2012&id=txs2 Center for Responsive Politics
100. Top Donors by Industry (opensecrets.org)

External links

• Elections Division from the Texas Secretary of State
• Campaign contributions at OpenSecrets.org
• Outside spending at Sunlight Foundation
• Candidate issue positions at On the Issues

Official campaign websites

• Ted Cruz for U.S. Senate
• Paul Sadler for U.S. Senate (archived)
• John Jay Myers for U.S. Senate