Texas gubernatorial election, 2010
Encyclopedia
The 2010 Texas gubernatorial election was held on Tuesday, November 2, 2010, to elect the Governor of Texas
, who will serve a four-year term beginning on January 18, 2011, and ending on January 20, 2015. Incumbent Republican Governor Rick Perry
ran successfully for re-election to a third term. He won the Republican primary against U.S. Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison
. The former Mayor of Houston
, Bill White, won the Democratic nomination. Kathie Glass, a lawyer from Houston and previous candidate for Texas Attorney General, won the Libertarian nomination. Deb Shafto is the nominee of the Texas Green Party. Andy Barron, an orthodontist from Lubbock
, is a declared write-in candidate.
The Lieutenant Governor of Texas
is elected on a separate ticket. As a result, the Governor-elect and Lieutenant Governor-elect may be, and have in the past been, of different political parties. For that race, Linda Chavez-Thompson won the Democratic Party nomination and avoided a runoff; incumbent Republican Lieutenant Governor David Dewhurst
was unopposed in his re-election bid. Scott Jameson was the Libertarian nominee.
The Governor of Texas
and Lieutenant Governor of Texas
are both sworn-in on the third Tuesday of January every four years.
The Republicans and Democrats chose their gubernatorial nominees based on the results of primary votes held on March 2, 2010 (the first Tuesday in March). Both parties' candidates received at least 20 percent of the total votes cast for governor in the 2006 election; thus, they must nominate their candidates via primary election.
Any third-party which obtains ballot access must nominate its candidates via a statewide convention, which by law must be held on June 12, 2010 (the second Saturday in June). The Libertarian Party obtained ballot access automatically due to its 2008 showing, in which one of its nominees attracted over one million votes.
In the primary election the party's winning candidate must garner a majority (over 50%) of votes cast; otherwise, the top two candidates face each other in a runoff election. However, in the general election, the winning candidate needs only a plurality of votes to be elected Governor (as was the case with the 2006 election
and the 1990 election, in which Libertarian Jeff Daiell attracted over 129,000 votes).
Independent and write-in candidates may seek ballot access; however, the criteria for such access are quite strict (see "Ballot Access" below). Nevertheless, in the 2006 election, two independent candidates, Carole Keeton Strayhorn
, the Republican State Comptroller, and Kinky Friedman
, a popular Texas country musician, obtained enough signatures to qualify. The Libertarian nominee, James Werner, was on the ballot automatically because of that party's Texas showing in the 2004 general election.
) and the Republican candidate (Rick Perry
) received this many votes; thus, both parties must hold primary elections using the two-round system
. The primary elections must be held on the first Tuesday in March, and a candidate must receive a majority of votes cast in the primary election; otherwise, a runoff election between the top two finishers must be held on the second Tuesday in April.
A political party whose candidate for Governor, during the 2006 election, received at least two percent but less than 20 percent of the total votes cast, may nominate its candidates for all offices sought via either a primary election (using the two-round system) or a state convention. If the party chooses to conduct a primary election, it must notify the Texas Secretary of State at least one year prior to the general election date and must nominate all its candidates via primary election. No third-party candidate met this requirement in 2006; the last to do so was the Libertarian Party in 1990 (when nominee Jeff Daiell polled over 3.3% of the vote).
All other political parties must nominate their candidates via state convention, which by law must be held on the second Saturday in June. In order to qualify for ballot access at the general election, the party must either:
* Dropped out prior to the primary.
Debate:
Voter resources:
Republican candidates for Governor:
Democratic candidates for Governor:
Libertarian candidate for Governor:
Third party/Independent candidates for Governor:
Governor of Texas
The governor of Texas is the head of the executive branch of Texas's government and the commander-in-chief of the state's military forces. The governor has the power to either approve or veto bills passed by the Texas Legislature, and to convene the legislature...
, who will serve a four-year term beginning on January 18, 2011, and ending on January 20, 2015. Incumbent Republican Governor Rick Perry
Rick Perry
James Richard "Rick" Perry is the 47th and current Governor of Texas. A Republican, Perry was elected Lieutenant Governor of Texas in 1998 and assumed the governorship in December 2000 when then-governor George W. Bush resigned to become President of the United States. Perry was elected to full...
ran successfully for re-election to a third term. He won the Republican primary against U.S. Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison
Kay Bailey Hutchison
Kathryn Ann Bailey Hutchison, known as Kay Bailey Hutchison , is the senior United States Senator from Texas.She is a member of the Republican Party. In 2001, she was named one of the thirty most powerful women in America by Ladies Home Journal. The first woman to represent Texas in the U.S....
. The former Mayor of Houston
Houston, Texas
Houston is the fourth-largest city in the United States, and the largest city in the state of Texas. According to the 2010 U.S. Census, the city had a population of 2.1 million people within an area of . Houston is the seat of Harris County and the economic center of , which is the ...
, Bill White, won the Democratic nomination. Kathie Glass, a lawyer from Houston and previous candidate for Texas Attorney General, won the Libertarian nomination. Deb Shafto is the nominee of the Texas Green Party. Andy Barron, an orthodontist from Lubbock
Lubbock, Texas
Lubbock is a city in and the county seat of Lubbock County, Texas, United States. The city is located in the northwestern part of the state, a region known historically as the Llano Estacado, and the home of Texas Tech University and Lubbock Christian University...
, is a declared write-in candidate.
The Lieutenant Governor of Texas
Lieutenant Governor of Texas
The Lieutenant Governor of Texas is the second-highest executive office in the government of Texas, a state in the U.S. It is the second most powerful post in Texas government because its occupant controls the work of the Texas Senate and controls the budgeting process as a leader of the...
is elected on a separate ticket. As a result, the Governor-elect and Lieutenant Governor-elect may be, and have in the past been, of different political parties. For that race, Linda Chavez-Thompson won the Democratic Party nomination and avoided a runoff; incumbent Republican Lieutenant Governor David Dewhurst
David Dewhurst
David Dewhurst is the 41st and current Lieutenant Governor of Texas, serving under Governor Rick Perry since January 21, 2003. A member of the Republican Party, he previously served as Texas Land Commissioner from 1999 to 2003. Dewhurst announced on July 18, 2011, that he was running for the...
was unopposed in his re-election bid. Scott Jameson was the Libertarian nominee.
The Governor of Texas
Governor of Texas
The governor of Texas is the head of the executive branch of Texas's government and the commander-in-chief of the state's military forces. The governor has the power to either approve or veto bills passed by the Texas Legislature, and to convene the legislature...
and Lieutenant Governor of Texas
Lieutenant Governor of Texas
The Lieutenant Governor of Texas is the second-highest executive office in the government of Texas, a state in the U.S. It is the second most powerful post in Texas government because its occupant controls the work of the Texas Senate and controls the budgeting process as a leader of the...
are both sworn-in on the third Tuesday of January every four years.
Election rules
Texas does not have term limits for its governors; thus, gubernatorial incumbents are free to run as often as they want if they are eligible for the office.The Republicans and Democrats chose their gubernatorial nominees based on the results of primary votes held on March 2, 2010 (the first Tuesday in March). Both parties' candidates received at least 20 percent of the total votes cast for governor in the 2006 election; thus, they must nominate their candidates via primary election.
Any third-party which obtains ballot access must nominate its candidates via a statewide convention, which by law must be held on June 12, 2010 (the second Saturday in June). The Libertarian Party obtained ballot access automatically due to its 2008 showing, in which one of its nominees attracted over one million votes.
In the primary election the party's winning candidate must garner a majority (over 50%) of votes cast; otherwise, the top two candidates face each other in a runoff election. However, in the general election, the winning candidate needs only a plurality of votes to be elected Governor (as was the case with the 2006 election
Texas gubernatorial election, 2006
The 2006 Texas gubernatorial election was held on November 7, 2006 to select the next governor of the state of Texas, who is serving a four year term that began on January 16, 2007. The Republican and Democratic Parties chose their candidates by primaries and convention. Primaries were held on...
and the 1990 election, in which Libertarian Jeff Daiell attracted over 129,000 votes).
Independent and write-in candidates may seek ballot access; however, the criteria for such access are quite strict (see "Ballot Access" below). Nevertheless, in the 2006 election, two independent candidates, Carole Keeton Strayhorn
Carole Keeton Strayhorn
Carole Keeton Strayhorn is the former Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts....
, the Republican State Comptroller, and Kinky Friedman
Kinky Friedman
Richard S. "Kinky" Friedman is an American Texas Country singer, songwriter, novelist, humorist, politician and former columnist for Texas Monthly who styles himself in the mold of popular American satirists Will Rogers and Mark Twain. He was one of two independent candidates in the 2006 election...
, a popular Texas country musician, obtained enough signatures to qualify. The Libertarian nominee, James Werner, was on the ballot automatically because of that party's Texas showing in the 2004 general election.
Political party candidates
Any political party whose candidate for Governor, during the 2006 election, garnered at least 20 percent of the total votes cast, must nominate all its candidates for all offices sought via primary election. In the 2006 election, both the Democratic candidate (Chris BellChris Bell (politician)
Robert Christopher "Chris" Bell is a Democratic Party politician. He last served as a one-term congressman in the United States House of Representatives from Texas's 25th congressional district in Houston from 2003 to 2005 before being defeated in the Democratic primary by Justice of the Peace Al...
) and the Republican candidate (Rick Perry
Rick Perry
James Richard "Rick" Perry is the 47th and current Governor of Texas. A Republican, Perry was elected Lieutenant Governor of Texas in 1998 and assumed the governorship in December 2000 when then-governor George W. Bush resigned to become President of the United States. Perry was elected to full...
) received this many votes; thus, both parties must hold primary elections using the two-round system
Two-round system
The two-round system is a voting system used to elect a single winner where the voter casts a single vote for their chosen candidate...
. The primary elections must be held on the first Tuesday in March, and a candidate must receive a majority of votes cast in the primary election; otherwise, a runoff election between the top two finishers must be held on the second Tuesday in April.
A political party whose candidate for Governor, during the 2006 election, received at least two percent but less than 20 percent of the total votes cast, may nominate its candidates for all offices sought via either a primary election (using the two-round system) or a state convention. If the party chooses to conduct a primary election, it must notify the Texas Secretary of State at least one year prior to the general election date and must nominate all its candidates via primary election. No third-party candidate met this requirement in 2006; the last to do so was the Libertarian Party in 1990 (when nominee Jeff Daiell polled over 3.3% of the vote).
All other political parties must nominate their candidates via state convention, which by law must be held on the second Saturday in June. In order to qualify for ballot access at the general election, the party must either:
- have had at least one candidate, in the previous statewide election, garner at least five percent of the total votes cast for that office (only the Libertarian Party met this requirement), or
- within 75 days after conducting its precinct conventions, submit lists of said conventions, whose total participant count equals at least one percent of the total votes cast in the previous gubernatorial election.
- If the political party cannot meet the precinct convention count requirement, it may file a supplemental petition, the number of signatures on which, when added to the count from the precinct convention lists, totals the required one percent, but must do so within the 75-day period above. Any person signing a supplemental petition must not have voted in any party's primary election or runoff election, or participated in any other third-party's convention.
Independent candidates
Should an independent gubernatorial candidate seek ballot access in the state of Texas, the candidate must meet the following requirements:- The candidate must obtain signatures from registered voters, in an amount equalling at least one percent of the total votes cast in the prior gubernatorial election, the same as for third-party access.
- The signatures must come from registered voters who did not vote in either the Democratic or Republican primaries or in any runoff elections for Governor.
- The signatures must come from registered voters who have not signed a petition for any other independent candidate. If a supporter signed more than one petition, only the first signature counts.
- The signatures cannot be obtained until after the primary election (if either political party primary requires a runoff election, the signatures cannot be obtained until after such runoff election) and the petition must be filed no later than 5:00 PM (Austin time, the filing must be with the Texas Secretary of State) on the 30th day after the scheduled runoff primary election day (even if none is held).
Write-in candidates
In the event a candidate does not qualify for independent status, the person may still run as a write-in candidate. The candidate must either:- pay a $3,750 filing fee, or
- submit 5,000 qualified signatures. However, the petition must be filed by 5:00 PM of the 70th day before general election day, and cannot be filed earlier than 30 days before this deadline.
Candidates
- Kay Bailey HutchisonKay Bailey HutchisonKathryn Ann Bailey Hutchison, known as Kay Bailey Hutchison , is the senior United States Senator from Texas.She is a member of the Republican Party. In 2001, she was named one of the thirty most powerful women in America by Ladies Home Journal. The first woman to represent Texas in the U.S....
, U.S. Senator - Debra MedinaDebra MedinaDebra Medina was a candidate for the Republican nomination in the 2010 Texas gubernatorial election. She participated in the January 14 televised debate with incumbent Governor Rick Perry and challenger U.S. Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison...
, political activist - Rick PerryRick PerryJames Richard "Rick" Perry is the 47th and current Governor of Texas. A Republican, Perry was elected Lieutenant Governor of Texas in 1998 and assumed the governorship in December 2000 when then-governor George W. Bush resigned to become President of the United States. Perry was elected to full...
, Incumbent Governor
Perry
State/local level positions (State Senators, Governors, etc.) |
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Miscellaneous public figures |
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Groups and Political Action Committees |
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Debra Medina
Notable endorsements |
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Hutchison
U.S. Federal positions (Senator, President, etc.) |
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State/local level positions (State Senators, Governors, etc.) |
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Miscellaneous public figures |
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Groups and Political Action Committees |
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Newspapers |
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Polling
Note: polls used different sample sizes and citizen groups. A candidate must have a majority of the vote (50%) to avoid a runoff with their second place opponent.| Poll Source | Date(s) administered |
Rick Perry |
Kay Bailey Hutchison |
Debra Medina |
Other | Unde- cided |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rasmussen Reports (report) | February 23, 2010 | 48% | 27% | 16% | — | 9% |
| Public Policy Polling (report) | February 19–21, 2010 | 40% | 31% | 20% | — | 9% |
| Research 2000 (report) | February 8–10, 2010 | 42% | 30% | 17% | — | 11% |
| Public Policy Polling (report) | February 4–7, 2010 | 39% | 28% | 24% | — | 10% |
| University of Texas (report) | February 1–7, 2010 | 45% | 21% | 19% | — | 16% |
| Rasmussen Reports (report) | February 1, 2010 | 44% | 29% | 16% | — | 11% |
| Rasmussen Reports (report) | January 17, 2010 | 43% | 33% | 12% | — | 11% |
| Rasmussen Reports (report) | November 13, 2009 | 46% | 35% | 4% | — | 14% |
| University of Texas (report) | November 3, 2009 | 42% | 30% | 7% | 4% | 18% |
| Rasmussen Reports (report) | September 16, 2009 | 38% | 40% | 3% | — | 19% |
| Rasmussen Reports (report) | July 15, 2009 | 46% | 36% | — | 5% | 14% |
| Texas Politics (report) | June 11–22, 2009 | 38% | 27% | — | 8% | 26% |
| 38% | 26% | — | 9% | 27% | ||
| Texas Lyceum (report) | June 5–12, 2009 | 33% | 21% | — | 1% | 41% |
| Rasmussen Reports (report) | May 7, 2009 | 42% | 38% | — | 7% | 13% |
| Texas Politics (report) | February 24–Mar. 6, 2009 | 29% | 37% | — | 10% | 24% |
| Public Policy Polling (report) | February 18–20, 2009 | 31% | 56% | — | — | — |
| Texas Lyceum (report) | June 12–20, 2008 | 22% | 35% | — | — | — |
Results
Candidates
- Alma Ludivina Aguado
- Felix Alvarado
- Bill Dear
- Clement E. GlennClement E. GlennClement E. Glenn is a tenured associate professor in the College of Education-Graduate Programs at Prairie View A&M University. In 2010, Glenn became a candidate for the office of governor of Texas.-Education:...
- Farouk ShamiFarouk ShamiFarouk Shami is a Palestinian-American businessman from Ramallah, West Bank, who now lives in Houston, Texas, where he runs the hair-care and spa products company, Farouk Systems....
- Bill White, former Houston mayor
White
State/local level positions (State Senators, Governors, etc.) |
||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Schieffer |
Bill White |
Farouk Shami |
Unde- cided |
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| Public Policy Polling (report) | February 19–21, 2010 | 5% | 3% | — | — | 59% | 12% | 18% |
| Public Policy Polling (report) | February 4–7, 2010 | 5% | 2% | — | — | 49% | 19% | 24% |
| University of Texas University of Texas at Austin The University of Texas at Austin is a state research university located in Austin, Texas, USA, and is the flagship institution of the The University of Texas System. Founded in 1883, its campus is located approximately from the Texas State Capitol in Austin... (report) |
October 20–27, 2009 | 2% | — | 19% | 10% | — | — | 55% |
| University of Texas (report) | June 11–22, 2009 | — | — | 12% | 2% | — | — | 62% |
| Texas Lyceum (report) | June 5–12, 2007 | — | — | 10% | 6% | — | — | 73% |
| Wilson Research (report) | September 21, 2007 | — | — | 9% | — | 12% | — | 30% |
Results
Major
Candidates who have obtained at least 5% or more in at least one pre-election poll- Rick PerryRick PerryJames Richard "Rick" Perry is the 47th and current Governor of Texas. A Republican, Perry was elected Lieutenant Governor of Texas in 1998 and assumed the governorship in December 2000 when then-governor George W. Bush resigned to become President of the United States. Perry was elected to full...
(R), incumbent Governor - Bill White (D), former Houston mayor
Minor
- Kathie Glass (L), Houston Lawyer Ms. Glass was nominated in a race in which five candidates filed, three of whom withdrew before balloting began.
- Deb Shafto (G)Green Party of TexasThe Green Party of Texas is the state party organization for Texas of the Green Party of the United States.-History:The Green Party of Texas began to organize a serious, statewide, grassroots effort in the late 1990s...
- Andy Barron (Write-inWrite-in candidateA write-in candidate is a candidate in an election whose name does not appear on the ballot, but for whom voters may vote nonetheless by writing in the person's name. Some states and local jurisdictions allow a voter to affix a sticker with a write-in candidate's name on it to the ballot in lieu...
)
Predictions
| Source | Rating | As of |
|---|---|---|
| Cook Political Report Cook Political Report The Cook Political Report is an independent, non-partisan online newsletter that analyzes elections and campaigns for the United States House of Representatives, the United States Senate, Governor's offices and the American Presidency. The Cook Political Report is led by a staff of five... |
Lean R | October 30, 2010 |
| Rothenberg Report Stuart Rothenberg Stuart Rothenberg is an American editor, publisher, and political analyst best known for his Washington-based, biweekly, self-proclaimed non-partisan political newsletter The Rothenberg Political Report... |
Lean R | October 28, 2010 |
| RealClearPolitics RealClearPolitics RealClearPolitics is a political news and polling data aggregator based in Chicago, Illinois. The site's founders say their goal is to give readers "ideological diversity." They have described themselves as frustrated with what they perceive as anti-conservative, anti-Christian media bias, and... |
Leans R | October 30, 2010 |
| Sabato's Crystal Ball Sabato's Crystal Ball Sabato’s Crystal Ball is a free, nonpartisan weekly online newsletter and comprehensive website in the United States that analyzes the current American political scene and predicts electoral outcomes for U.S House of Representatives, U.S. Senate, governors, and U.S. president races... |
Likely R | October 28, 2010 |
| CQ Politics Congressional Quarterly Congressional Quarterly, Inc., or CQ, is a privately owned publishing company that produces a number of publications reporting primarily on the United States Congress... |
Leans R | October 30, 2010 |
| New York Times The New York Times The New York Times is an American daily newspaper founded and continuously published in New York City since 1851. The New York Times has won 106 Pulitzer Prizes, the most of any news organization... |
R | October 30, 2010 |
| Rasmussen Reports Rasmussen Reports Rasmussen Reports is an American media company that publishes and distributes information based on public opinion polling. Founded by pollster Scott Rasmussen in 2003, the company updates daily indexes including the President's job approval rating, and provides public opinion data, analysis, and... |
Lean R | October 30, 2010 |
Polling
| Poll Source |
Date(s) Administered |
Sample size |
Margin of Error |
Rick Perry (R) |
Kathie Glass (L) |
Bill White (D) |
Other | Unde- cided |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Public Policy Polling (report) | October 26–28, 2010 | 568 | ± 4.1% | 53% | — | 44% | — | 3% |
| Lighthouse Opinion and Polling Research (report) | October 15–17, 2010 | 1200 | ± 2.9% | 48% | 3% | 37% | 1% | 11% |
| Public Policy Polling (report) | September 2–6, 2010 | 538 | ± 4.2% | 48% | — | 42% | — | 10% |
| Rasmussen Reports (report) | August 22, 2010 | 500 | ± 4.5% | 49% | — | 41% | 3% | 7% |
| Rasmussen Reports (report) | July 13, 2010 | 500 | ± 4.5% | 50% | — | 41% | 2% | 7% |
| Public Policy Polling (report) | June 19–21, 2010 | 500 | ± 4.4% | 43% | — | 43% | — | 14% |
| Rasmussen Reports (report) | June 16, 2010 | 500 | ± 4.5% | 48% | — | 40% | 5% | 8% |
| Rasmussen Reports (report) | May 13, 2010 | 500 | ± 4.5% | 51% | — | 38% | 4% | 6% |
| Rasmussen Reports (report) | April 14, 2010 | 500 | ± 4.5% | 48% | — | 44% | 2% | 6% |
| Rasmussen Reports (report) | March 3, 2010 | 500 | ± 4.5% | 49% | — | 43% | 3% | 6% |
| Rasmussen Reports (report) | February 22, 2010 | 1,200 | ± 3.0% | 47% | — | 41% | 5% | 7% |
| Public Policy Polling (report) | February 4–7, 2010 | 1,200 | ± 2.8% | 48% | — | 42% | — | 10% |
| Rasmussen Reports (report) | February 1, 2010 | 1,000 | ± 3.0% | 48% | — | 39% | 5% | 8% |
| Rasmussen Reports (report) | January 17, 2010 | 1,000 | ± 3.0% | 50% | — | 40% | 4% | 6% |
Results
External links
- Texas Secretary of State - Elections Division
- Texas Governor Candidates at Project Vote SmartProject Vote SmartProject Vote Smart is a non-profit, non-partisan research organization that collects and distributes information on candidates for public office in the United States...
- Campaign contributions for 2010 Texas Governor from Follow the Money
- Texas Governor 2010 from OurCampaigns.com
- 2010 Texas Gubernatorial General Election: Rick Perry (R) vs Bill White (D) graph of multiple polls from Pollster.com
- Election 2010: Texas Governor from Rasmussen ReportsRasmussen ReportsRasmussen Reports is an American media company that publishes and distributes information based on public opinion polling. Founded by pollster Scott Rasmussen in 2003, the company updates daily indexes including the President's job approval rating, and provides public opinion data, analysis, and...
- 2010 Texas Governor Race from Real Clear Politics
- 2010 Texas Governor's Race from CQ PoliticsCongressional QuarterlyCongressional Quarterly, Inc., or CQ, is a privately owned publishing company that produces a number of publications reporting primarily on the United States Congress...
- Race Profile in The New York TimesThe New York TimesThe New York Times is an American daily newspaper founded and continuously published in New York City since 1851. The New York Times has won 106 Pulitzer Prizes, the most of any news organization...
Debate:
- Texas Republican Gubernatorial Primary Debate on C-SPANC-SPANC-SPAN , an acronym for Cable-Satellite Public Affairs Network, is an American cable television network that offers coverage of federal government proceedings and other public affairs programming via its three television channels , one radio station and a group of websites that provide streaming...
, January 14, 2010
Voter resources:
- Am I registered to vote? - Also finds your polling place
- What is on the ballot? - Official lists of candidates (PDF)
- Imagine Election - Look up who will be on your ballot by zip code (includes US Representative, Governor and other state-level races, and state legislature)
Republican candidates for Governor:
- Kay Bailey Hutchison for Governor
- Debra Medina for Governor
- Rick Perry for Governor Republican nominee
Democratic candidates for Governor:
- Alma Aguado for Governor
- Felix Alvarado for Governor
- Bill Dear for Governor
- Clement Glenn for Governor
- Star Locke for Governor
- Farouk Shami for Governor
- Bill White for Governor Democratic nominee
Libertarian candidate for Governor:
- Kathie Glass for Governor Libertarian nominee
Third party/Independent candidates for Governor: