On January 28, 2020, Gates won the special runoff election for Texas House District 28. He defeated the Democrat, an educator, Elizabeth A. "Eliz" Markowitz of Katy, Texas, by 58% of the vote to 42%, a 16-point win that has been characterized as an "easy win".[3][4] Saying the district was a bellwether, Democratic presidential candidates Joe Biden and Elizabeth Warren endorsed Markowitz; and Mike Bloomberg and Julian Castro endorsed Markowitz and block walked for her, attempting to flip the district and defeat Gates.[5][6] Former U.S. Senate nominee and presidential candidate Beto O'Rourke knocked on doors and rallied canvassers.[7][8] The race was Gates' seventh run for political office.[8]
After the election, the Republicans criticized the Democrats as overplaying their hand in the Gates special election; while the Democrats pointed to unique aspects of the campaign, specifically Gates' ability to self-fund his campaign.[3] Gates spent about $1.8 million of his own money on the campaign.[9][10] Markowitz was given political donations from Forward Majority for $420,000, Democratic Legislative Campaign Committee for $170,000, and State Representative Celia Israel's Texas House Democrat Campaign Committee of $120,000.[9]
Turnout for the special runoff election was very high and possibly historic since there were over 30,000 voters, a 20 percent turnout which is the highest in Texas since at least 1992.[11] Gates defeated a Republican opponent, small business owner Michelle D. "Schell" Hammel of Katy, in the March 3, 2020 primary, receiving 95% of the vote.[12][13] Gates will face Markowitz again in November 2020 in the general election.[12][3]
Gates supports a ban on Democrats being given committee chairmanships as long as the Republicans hold the majority of seats.[14]
Personal life
Gates lives in Richmond, Texas, a suburb of Houston southwest of the city, with his wife, Melissa, and his 13 children, of whom 11 are adopted.[15][16]
