2002 United States House of Representatives elections in Texas

2002 United States House of Representatives elections in Texas

← 2000 November 5, 2002 2004 →

All 32 Texas seats to the United States House of Representatives
  Majority party Minority party
 
Party Democratic Republican
Last election 17 13
Seats won 17 15
Seat change Steady Increase 2
Popular vote 1,885,178 2,290,723
Percentage 43.9% 53.3%
Swing Decrease 2.9% Increase 4.6%

The 2002 United States House of Representatives elections in Texas occurred on November 5, 2002, to elect the members of the state of Texas's delegation to the United States House of Representatives. Texas had thirty-two seats in the House, apportioned according to the 2000 United States census. The state gained two seats in reapportionment.[1] Democrats narrowly maintained control of the Texas House of Representatives after the 2000 election after heavily emphasizing it as necessary to protect the party from a potential Republican gerrymander.[2][3] During the 2001 regular session, the divided legislature failed to pass any redistricting plans.[4] Congressional redistricting fell to the courts in Balderas v. State of Texas after no special session was called to address redistricting.[5][6] While the court's initial map appeared to benefit Republicans,[7] the final maps ordered for the 2002 elections were seen as beneficial to Democrats.[8][9][10]

These elections occurred simultaneously with the United States Senate elections of 2002, the United States House elections in other states, and various state and local elections. Democrats managed to maintain their majority of seats in Texas' congressional delegation despite the fact that Republicans won more votes statewide.[11] As of 2021, this is the last time the Democratic Party won a majority of congressional districts from Texas.

  1. ^ Mills, Karen (July 2001). "Congressional Apportionment" (PDF). census.gov. Retrieved June 17, 2022.
  2. ^ "National Parties Spend For Texas Redistricting Advantage". Congress Daily AM. The Atlantic Monthly Group LLC. September 28, 2000. Retrieved March 16, 2023 – via Gale Academic OneFile.
  3. ^ Ramsey, Ross (November 13, 2000). "A Truly Fantastic Week for Political Junkies". The Texas Tribune. Retrieved March 17, 2023.
  4. ^ "Texas Legislature Deadlocked Over Redistricting Plan". Congress Daily AM. The Atlantic Monthly Group LLC. May 22, 2001. Retrieved March 16, 2023 – via Gale Academic OneFile.
  5. ^ "Partisan Texas Battle Erupts Over Court Redistricting Plan". Congress Daily AM. The Atlantic Monthly Group LLC. September 19, 2001. Retrieved March 16, 2023 – via Gale Academic OneFile.
  6. ^ "TEXAS: No Special Session". The Bond Buyer. 337 (31177). SourceMedia, Inc.: 33 July 10, 2001 – via Gale Academic OneFile.
  7. ^ Edsall, Thomas B. (October 5, 2001). "Texas Setback Rattles Democrats; If Redistricting Plan Is Upheld, Prospects in House Look Bleak". The Washington Post. pp. A6. Retrieved March 17, 2023.
  8. ^ Edsall, Thomas B. (October 12, 2001). "Texas Judge Revises Redistricting Proposal; Fewer Democratic Seats in Jeopardy". The Washington Post. pp. A3. Retrieved March 17, 2023.
  9. ^ "Parties Agree Texas Redistricting Ruling Favors Democrats". Congress Daily AM. The Atlantic Monthly Group LLC. November 15, 2001. Retrieved March 17, 2023 – via Gale Academic OneFile.
  10. ^ Edsall, Thomas B. (November 15, 2001). "Court Approves Texas Redistricting Plan; Democrats Call Decision on New Boundaries 'Major Victory' in State, National Fight". The Washington Post. pp. A7. Retrieved March 17, 2023.
  11. ^ Bickerstaff, Steve (2007). Lines in the Sand: Congressional Redistricting in Texas and the Downfall of Tom Delay. Austin, Texas: University of Texas Press. pp. 126–127. ISBN 978-0-292-71474-8.

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