2014 United States Senate election in Texas
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The 2014 United States Senate election in Texas was held on November 4, 2014, to elect a member of the United States Senate. Incumbent Republican senator and Senate Minority Whip John Cornyn ran for election to a third term. Primary elections were held on March 4, 2014. Since no Democratic candidate received over 50% in the first round of the primary, a runoff election was required on May 27, 2014. David Alameel, who came in first in the primary, won the runoff and became his party's nominee. In the general election, Cornyn defeated Alameel in a landslide.
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November 4, 2014
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| Turnout | 33.1% | ||||||||||||||||
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Cornyn: 40–50% 50–60% 60–70% 70–80% 80–90% >90% Alameel: 40–50% 50–60% 60–70% 70–80% 80–90% >90% Tie: 40–50% 50% No data | |||||||||||||||||
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This is the last time Bexar, Fort Bend, Harris and Hays would vote for a Republican in a U.S. Senate election.
Republican primary
In February 2014, Republican Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell was targeted in a controversial television ad by Dwayne Stovall, who labeled McConnell—John Cornyn’s Senate leadership superior—an ineffective “Beltway turtle” out of touch with rank-and-file Republicans. Before the ad, Stovall’s candidacy had received little media attention.[1]
Candidates
Nominee
- John Cornyn, incumbent U.S. Senator[2]
Eliminated in primary
- Curt Cleaver, hotel industry consultant and candidate for the U.S. Senate in 2012[3]
- Ken Cope, aerospace executive and retired United States Army Lieutenant Colonel[3]
- Chris Mapp, businessman[4]
- Reid Reasor, Tea Party activist[5]
- Steve Stockman, U.S. Representative[6]
- Dwayne Stovall, bridge construction contractor, school board member from Cleveland and candidate for the State House of Representatives in 2012[7]
- Linda Vega, attorney and immigration activist[8]
Withdrew
- Erick Wyatt, U.S. Army veteran[9]
Declined
- Greg Abbott, Texas Attorney General (running for Governor)[10]
- David Barton, author, minister and former vice chair of the Republican Party of Texas[11]
- David Dewhurst, Lieutenant Governor of Texas (running for re-election)[12][13]
- Louie Gohmert, U.S. Representative (running for re-election)[14]
- Debra Medina, activist and candidate for Governor in 2010 (ran for Comptroller of Public Accounts)[15]
Endorsements
John Cornyn
Individuals
- Kay Granger, U.S. Representative[16]
- James C. Ho, former Solicitor General of Texas[17]
- Rick Perry, Governor of Texas[18]
- Karl Rove, Republican campaign consultant; appeared with Cornyn in rally in Longview[19]
- George Strake Jr., former chairman of the Republican Party of Texas, former Secretary of State of Texas, and unsuccessful candidate for Lieutenant Governor of Texas in 1982[20]
Organizations
- Texas Right to Life PAC[21]
- United States Chamber of Commerce[22]
Steve Stockman
Individuals
- Jerome Corsi, historian and journalist[23]
Organizations
- Revolution PAC[24]
- Gun Owners of America[25]
Linda Vega
Individuals
- Erick Wyatt, former candidate for the U.S. Senate[26]
Declined to endorse
Individuals
- Greg Abbott, Texas Attorney General
- Ted Cruz, U.S. Senator
- Blake Farenthold, U.S. Representative[27]
- Louie Gohmert, U.S. Representative
- Ralph Hall, U.S. Representative[27]
- Ted Nugent, musician and conservative activist
- Kenny Marchant, U.S. Representative
Organizations
Polling
| Poll source | Date(s) administered |
Sample size |
Margin of error |
Curt Cleaver |
Ken Cope |
John Cornyn |
Chris Mapp |
Reid Reasor |
Steve Stockman |
Dwayne Stovall |
Linda Vega |
Other | Undecided |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Public Policy Polling[28] | November 1–4, 2013 | 388 | ± 4.4% | — | — | 41% | — | — | 18% | — | — | — | 44% |
| Wilson Perkins Allen[29] | December 13, 2013 | 762 | ± 3.6% | — | — | 50% | — | — | 6% | — | — | 5% | 39% |
| Gravis Marketing[30] | February 10–12, 2014 | 729 | ± 3.6% | — | — | 43% | — | — | 28% | — | — | — | 29% |
| UoT/Texas Tribune[31] | February 7–17, 2014 | 461 | ± 4.56% | 1% | 4% | 62% | 3% | 3% | 16% | 4% | 7% | — | — |
| Poll source | Date(s) administered |
Sample size |
Margin of error |
John Cornyn |
Someone more conservative |
Undecided |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gravis Marketing[32] | October 26, 2013 | 563 | ± 3% | 33% | 46% | 21% |
| Public Policy Polling[28] | November 1–4, 2013 | 388 | ± 4.4% | 33% | 49% | 18% |
Hypothetical polling
| Poll source | Date(s) administered |
Sample size |
Margin of error |
John Cornyn |
Dwayne Stovall |
Erick Wyatt |
Undecided |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| UoT/Texas Tribune[33] | October 18–27, 2013 | 519 | ± 5.02% | 39% | 7% | 6% | 48% |
| Poll source | Date(s) administered |
Sample size |
Margin of error |
John Cornyn |
David Barton |
Rafael Cruz |
Louie Gohmert |
Ron Paul |
Rick Perry |
Steve Stockman |
Undecided |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| UoT/Texas Tribune[33] | October 18–27, 2013 | 519 | ± 5.02% | 25% | — | 41% | — | 18% | — | 3% | 13% |
| 35% | — | — | — | — | 46% | — | 20% | ||||
| 34% | — | — | — | 44% | — | — | 22% | ||||
| 40% | — | — | 31% | — | — | — | 29% | ||||
| 39% | — | 33% | — | — | — | — | 28% | ||||
| Public Policy Polling[28] | November 1–4, 2013 | 388 | ± 4.4% | 51% | 18% | — | — | — | — | — | 31% |
Results
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | John Cornyn (incumbent) | 781,259 | 59.43% | |
| Republican | Steve Stockman | 251,577 | 19.13% | |
| Republican | Dwayne Stovall | 140,794 | 10.71% | |
| Republican | Linda Vega | 50,057 | 3.80% | |
| Republican | Ken Cope | 34,409 | 2.61% | |
| Republican | Chris Mapp | 23,535 | 1.79% | |
| Republican | Reid Reasor | 20,600 | 1.56% | |
| Republican | Curt Cleaver | 12,325 | 0.94% | |
| Total votes | 1,314,556 | 100.00% | ||
Because Cornyn surpassed a majority in the primary, he faced no runoff election.[34] Cornyn's winning percent and margin of victory were the lowest by any Texas Republican U.S. Senator in a primary election in state history.[35]
Democratic primary
Candidates
Nominee
- David Alameel, businessman and candidate for Texas's 33rd congressional district in 2012[36]
Eliminated in the runoff
- Kesha Rogers, Worldwide LaRouche Youth Movement activist and nominee for Texas's 22nd congressional district in 2010 and 2012[37]
Eliminated in the primary
- Michael Fjetland, businessman, Independent candidate for Texas's 22nd congressional district in 2004 and Republican candidate for the seat in 2006[38]
- HyeTae "Harry" Kim, physician[36]
- Maxey Scherr, attorney[39]
Declined
- Wendy Davis, state senator (running for governor)[40]
- Bill White, former mayor of Houston and nominee for governor in 2010[41]
Endorsements
David Alameel
Individuals
- Roberto Alonzo, state representative[42]
- John Wiley Bryant, former U.S. Representative (TX-05)[42]
- Wendy Davis, State Senator and candidate for Governor[43]
- Yvonne Davis, state representative[42]
- Ryan Guillen, state representative[42]
- Joe Pickett, state representative[42]
- Ciro Rodriguez, former U.S. Representative (TX-23)[42]
- Rosa Rosales, former national president of LULAC[42]
- Chris Turner[42]
- Carlos Uresti, state senator[42]
- Leticia Van de Putte, State Senator and nominee for Lieutenant Governor[42]
- Marc Veasey, U.S. Representative (TX-33)[42]
Organizations
- Bexar County African-American Political Alliance[42]
- Bexar County Northside Coalition of Women[42]
- Bexar County Mexican American Democrats[42]
- Bexar County Second Chance Democrats[42]
- Bexar County Tejano Democrats[42]
- Bexar County Young Tejano Democrats[42]
- Hispanic Women for Better Justice[42]
- Houston GLBT Political Caucus[42]
- Mexican American Democrats of Texas, San Antonio Chapter[42]
- Texas Young Democrats Women's Caucus[42]
Media
Michael Fjetland
Media
Kesha Rogers
Organizations
- Doctors Against Murderous Obamacare[45]
Maxey Scherr
Individuals
- Carol Alvarado, state representative[46]
- John Cook, former Mayor of El Paso and nominee for Land Commissioner[46]
- Veronica Escobar, El Paso County Judge[46]
- David Langston, former Mayor of Lubbock[46]
- Sergio Lewis, El Paso County Commissioner[46]
- Marisa Marquez, state representative[46]
- Joe Moody, state representative[47]
- Beto O'Rourke, U.S. Representative (TX-16)[46]
- Barbara Ann Radnofsky, nominee for U.S. Senate in 2006 and for Attorney General in 2010[46]
- Silvestre Reyes, former U.S. Representative[47]
- José R. Rodríguez, state senator[47]
- Eliot Shapleigh, former state senator[46]
- Sylvester Turner, state representative [47]
- Armando Walle, state representative[46]
Organizations
- Amalgamated Transit Union Local 694[46]
- American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) Local 59[46]
- Austin Environmental Democrats[46]
- Austin North by Northwest (NxNW) Democrats[46]
- Austin Progressive Coalition[46]
- Austin Stonewall Democrats[46]
- Austin Young Democrats[46]
- Bay Area New Democrats (BAND)[46]
- Capital Area Asian American Democrats[46]
- Central Austin Democrats[46]
- Democracy for Houston[46]
- El Paso Black Democrats[46]
- El Paso Central Labor Union[46]
- El Paso West Side Democrats[46]
- Galveston Democratic Coalition[46]
- International Association of Fire Fighters Local 51[46]
- NE Travis County Democrats[46]
- San Antonio Stonewall Democrats[46]
- South East Texas Stonewall Democrats[46]
- State Tejano Democrats[46]
- Texas Womans Coalition[46]
- University Democrats (UDems)[46]
- University of Houston Democrats[46]
Media
Polling
| Poll source | Date(s) administered |
Sample size |
Margin of error |
David Alameel |
Michael Fjetland |
Harry Kim |
Kesha Rogers |
Maxey Scherr |
Other | Undecided |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| UoT/Texas Tribune[31] | February 7–17, 2014 | 263 | ± 6.04% | 27% | 9% | 14% | 35% | 15% | — | — |
Results
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | David Alameel | 239,914 | 47.04% | |
| Democratic | Kesha Rogers | 110,146 | 21.59% | |
| Democratic | Maxey Scherr | 90,359 | 17.71% | |
| Democratic | HyeTae "Harry" Kim | 45,207 | 8.86% | |
| Democratic | Michael Fjetland | 24,383 | 4.80% | |
| Total votes | 510,009 | 100.00% | ||
Because no candidate received over 50% of the vote in the primary, the two with the most votes – David Alameel and Kesha Rogers – advanced to a runoff on May 27.[50]
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | David Alameel | 145,039 | 72.16% | |
| Democratic | Kesha Rogers | 55,953 | 27.84% | |
| Total votes | 200,992 | 100.00% | ||
Libertarian convention
Green nomination
Candidates
Nominee
- Emily Marie Sanchez[53]
General election
Debates
| No. | Date | Host | Moderator | Link | Republican | Democratic |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Key: P Participant A Absent N Not invited I Invited W Withdrawn |
||||||
| John Cornyn | David Alameel | |||||
| 1 | Oct. 24, 2014 | KUVN-DT | Wendy Cruz | [54] | P | P |
Predictions
| Source | Ranking | As of |
|---|---|---|
| The Cook Political Report[55] | Solid R | November 3, 2014 |
| Sabato's Crystal Ball[56] | Safe R | November 3, 2014 |
| Rothenberg Political Report[57] | Safe R | November 3, 2014 |
| Real Clear Politics[58] | Safe R | November 3, 2014 |
Polling
| Poll source | Date(s) administered |
Sample size |
Margin of error |
John Cornyn (R) |
David Alameel (D) |
Other | Undecided |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Public Policy Polling[59] | April 10–13, 2014 | 559 | ± 4.1% | 49% | 32% | — | 20% |
| UoT/Texas Tribune[60] | May 30 – June 8, 2014 | 1,200 | ± 2.83% | 36% | 25% | 13%[61] | 26% |
| CBS News/NYT/YouGov[62] | July 5–24, 2014 | 4,353 | ± 3.7% | 52% | 35% | 3% | 10% |
| Rasmussen Reports[63] | August 4–5, 2014 | 4,353 | ± 3.0% | 47% | 29% | 6% | 19% |
| CBS News/NYT/YouGov[64] | August 18 – September 2, 2014 | 4,189 | ± 2% | 55% | 39% | 3% | 8% |
| Texas Lyceum[65] | September 11–25, 2014 | 666 | ± 3.8% | 48% | 30% | 8%[66] | 14% |
| CBS News/NYT/YouGov[67] | September 20 – October 1, 2014 | 4,177 | ± 2% | 55% | 35% | 1% | 9% |
| Rasmussen Reports[63] | October 1–2, 2014 | 840 | ± 3.5% | 50% | 29% | 6% | 15% |
| UoT/Texas Tribune[68] | October 10–19, 2014 | 866 | ± 3.6% | 57% | 31% | 12%[69] | — |
| CBS News/NYT/YouGov[67] | October 16–23, 2014 | 3,987 | ± 3% | 57% | 35% | 1% | 8% |
Hypothetical polling
With Castro
| Poll source | Date(s) administered |
Sample size |
Margin of error |
John Cornyn (R) |
Julian Castro (D) |
Undecided |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Public Policy Polling[70] | January 24–27, 2012 | 500 | ± 4.4% | 48% | 41% | 11% |
| Public Policy Polling[71] | June 28 – July 1, 2013 | 500 | ± 4.4% | 50% | 37% | 13% |
| Public Policy Polling[28] | November 1–4, 2013 | 500 | ± 4.4% | 49% | 35% | 17% |
| Poll source | Date(s) administered |
Sample size |
Margin of error |
Louie Gohmert (R) |
Julian Castro (D) |
Undecided |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Public Policy Polling[28] | November 1–4, 2013 | 500 | ± 4.4% | 44% | 35% | 21% |
With Davis
| Poll source | Date(s) administered |
Sample size |
Margin of error |
John Cornyn (R) |
Wendy Davis (D) |
Undecided |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Public Policy Polling[70] | January 24–27, 2012 | 500 | ± 4.4% | 48% | 37% | 14% |
| Public Policy Polling[71] | June 28 – July 1, 2013 | 500 | ± 4.4% | 48% | 40% | 12% |
With Parker
| Poll source | Date(s) administered |
Sample size |
Margin of error |
John Cornyn (R) |
Annise Parker (D) |
Undecided |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Public Policy Polling[70] | January 24–27, 2012 | 500 | ± 4.4% | 47% | 36% | 16% |
| Public Policy Polling[71] | June 28 – July 1, 2013 | 500 | ± 4.4% | 49% | 36% | 15% |
With White
| Poll source | Date(s) administered |
Sample size |
Margin of error |
John Cornyn (R) |
Bill White (D) |
Undecided |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Public Policy Polling[70] | January 24–27, 2012 | 500 | ± 4.4% | 45% | 42% | 13% |
| Public Policy Polling[71] | June 28 – July 1, 2013 | 500 | ± 4.4% | 47% | 40% | 13% |
| Public Policy Polling[28] | November 1–4, 2013 | 500 | ± 4.4% | 44% | 39% | 17% |
| Poll source | Date(s) administered |
Sample size |
Margin of error |
Louie Gohmert (R) |
Bill White (D) |
Undecided |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Public Policy Polling[28] | November 1–4, 2013 | 500 | ± 4.4% | 40% | 39% | 21% |
Results
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | John Cornyn (incumbent) | 2,861,531 | 61.56% | +6.74% | |
| Democratic | David Alameel | 1,597,387 | 34.36% | −8.48% | |
| Libertarian | Rebecca Paddock | 133,751 | 2.88% | +0.54% | |
| Green | Emily Sanchez | 54,701 | 1.18% | N/A | |
| Independent | Mohammed Tahiro (write-in) | 998 | 0.02% | N/A | |
| Total votes | 4,648,358 | 100.0% | N/A | ||
| Republican hold | |||||
Counties that flipped from Democratic to Republican
- Bexar (largest municipality: San Antonio)
- Culberson (largest municipality: Van Horn)
- Harris (largest municipality: Houston)
- Kenedy (largest municipality: Sarita)
- Kleberg (largest municipality: Kingsville)
- La Salle (largest municipality: Cotulla)
- Reeves (largest municipality: Pecos)
- Brewster (largest city: Alpine)
- Uvalde (largest city: Uvalde)
- Nueces (largest municipality: Corpus Christi)
- Val Verde (largest municipality: Del Rio)
- Jefferson (largest city: Beaumont)
- Hudspeth (largest city: Fort Hancock)
By congressional district
Cornyn won 26 of 36 congressional districts, including one that elected a Democrat.[73][a]
See also
Notes
- Not including third party candidates.