How the Pendulum Swings

Less than 10 years ago, Democrats controlled all but one of the major elected offices in Texas, and held big majorities in the Texas House and Senate. Today, Republicans hold every single one of the 29 positions that are elected statewide, and the party control ratio has narrowed considerably in the House and Senate. While Democrats currently make up a five-seat majority in the Texas House, a half-dozen races will determine party control in November. In the Senate, where Republicans have a one-seat majority, all eyes are on the open District 3 seat in East Texas, where both sides predict a victory.

1991, 1999-2000

Governor Ann Richards (D) George Bush (R)

Lt. Governor Bob Bullock (D) Rick Perry (R)

Comptroller John Sharp (D) Carole Keeton Rylander (R)

Attorney General Dan Morales (D) John Cornyn (R)

Land Commissioner Garry Mauro (D) David Dewhurst (R)

Ag Commissioner Rick Perry (R) Susan Combs (R)

Railroad Commissioners Bob Krueger (D) Charles Matthews (R)

Lena Guerrero (D) Tony Garza (R)

Jim Nugent (D) Michael Williams (R)

U.S. Senate Lloyd Bentsen (D) Kay Bailey Hutchison (R)

Phil Gramm (R) Phil Gramm (R)

Supreme Court Dem majority, 5-4 GOP majority, 9-0

Court of Criminal Appeals Dem majority, 8-1 GOP majority, 9-0

U.S. Congress Dem majority,19-8 Dem majority, 17-13

Texas House Dem majority, 95-55 Dem majority, 77-72

Texas Senate Dem majority, 23-8 GOP majority, 16-15