Democratic hold Democratic gain Republican hold Republican gain Democratic: 50–60% 60–70% 70–80% 80–90% ≥90% Republican: 50–60% 60–70% 70–80% 80–90% ≥90%
The 1992 Texas House of Representatives elections took place as part of the biennial United States elections. Texas voters elected state representatives in all 150 State House of Representatives districts. The winners of this election served in the 73rd Texas Legislature, with seats apportioned according to the 1990 United States census. State representatives serve for two-year terms. Democrats maintained their majority of 92 out of 150 seats. As of 2025, this is the last time Democrats won the statewide popular vote for the Texas House.
Background
Democrats had held control of the Texas House of Representatives since Reconstruction. Republicans had gained one seat due to special elections after the resignation of Democrat Bruce Gibson of District 58. Republican Bernard Erickson won the special election outright to avoid a runoff, becoming the first Republican to ever represent the district.[1]
Redistricting
Following the release of the 1990 census results, Democrats fully controlled the redistricting process. Republicans sued over the Texas House's map that was originally passed. The courts partially overhauled the map as a result of these lawsuits.[2] Democrats codified the court's map into law in a January 1992 special session.[3]
House districts follow the "county line rule," effectively granting individual counties delegations of state house seats based on their population.[4] The census found that Texas had a population of 14,229,191 in 1980, giving each district an "ideal population" of 94,861 people. In 1990, the "ideal population for a district" was 113,243 people based on a statewide population of 16,986,510. Counties with at least this number of people must fully contain at least one state house district. Counties with sufficient population for two or more districts must be divided into that number of districts. Should a county have sufficient population for one or more district plus a fraction of another, one district from another county may extend into it to represent the remaining population. District delegations for counties with at least one district changed as follows following the 1990 Census:[5]
Despite Republican George H. W. Bush's victory in Texas in the concurrent presidential election, Republicans made no net gains over the Democrats in the Texas House.[8] A large number of retirements and primary defeats led to a turnover of over 30 House members.[9] In Harris County, a narrow election result in District 144 led to a contested election between Democrat Donald Fogo and Republican Robert Talton. Early ballots had Fogo in the lead, but later counts gave the lead to Talton. A recount confirmed Talton's victory, but Fogo contested the election.[10] A special panel in the Texas House later upheld Talton's victory, flipping the seat to the Republicans.[11]
Statewide
Summary of the November 3, 1992 Texas House of Representatives election results
