Republican lost every statewide race in Texas in cabinet, highest appellate courts

By Bethany Blankley
The Center Square

Republicans lost key statewide races across the board in Texas on Election Day.

From the governor to the heads of state agencies to the highest appellate courts, longtime conservative Republicans who’ve never lost a race before in their political careers were defeated, swept away in an anti-President Donald Trump blue tsunami.

The margins of loss are similar, between 5 to 8 points, according to unofficial results posted by the Texas Secretary of State’s Office.

In the race for governor, Democrat state Rep. Gina Hinojosa defeated three-term Gov. Greg Abbott 52.91% to 45.57% in one of the greatest political upsets in Texas history.

Hinojosa is the first Hispanic female to be elected governor of Texas, The Center Square reported.

In the race for lieutenant governor, state Rep. Vikki Goodwin defeated incumbent Republican Dan Patrick 51.48% to 45.52%.

Abbott and Patrick held these positions for 12 years and were both endorsed by Trump.

Every single state commissioner race to lead key agencies was flipped Democrat. The losses were along similar margins with Republicans losing by 7 to 8 points.

In the race for attorney general, Democratic state Sen. Nathan Johnson defeated Republican state Sen. Mayes Middleton 52.49% to 45.82%. Middleton has never lost a race and has historically had widespread support from a conservative legislative district. He spent millions of his own money to run for the position. He was endorsed by Trump.

Their state Senate colleague, Democrat Sarah Eckhardt, defeated Republican Don Huffines 51.42% to 46.04% in the race for state comptroller.

In the race for Texas Land Commissioner, Democrat Benjamin Flores, with little name recognition and political experience, defeated longtime conservative Republican Dawn Buckingham 51.56% to 46.85%.

Buckingham has never lost a race and was the first woman elected to the position and served one term after serving in the Texas Senate. She was endorsed by Trump.

In the race for Texas Agriculture Commissioner, Democrat Clayton Tucker defeated businessman Nate Sheets, 51.42% to 46.54%.

In the race for Texas Railroad Commissioner, Democrat state Sen. Jon Rosenthal defeated former Tarrant County GOP Chair Bo French 52.63% to 45.44%. This was an expected loss, according to political pundits and the polls. French lost support ahead of the election for ongoing unapologetic racist comments, The Center Square reported. The Texas Oil & Gas Association and other top Republicans didn’t endorse him.

All incumbent Republicans running for reelection to two of the highest courts in Texas were defeated. They were all appointed by Abbott. Several Democrats who defeated them have no judicial experience and or no experience in the criminal or civil fields over which the courts preside.

All four incumbent Republicans running for reelection on the Texas Supreme Court lost.

Chief Justice Jimmy Blacklock was ousted by Democrat Judge Maggie Ellis, 52.56% to 47.44%.

Incumbent Justice James Sullivan lost to Judge Chari Kelly 52.37% to 47.63%.

Incumbent Justice Kyle Hawkins lost to Democrat Kristen Hawkins 52.9% to 47.1%. Hawkins presided over the 11th District Court in Houston.

Incumbent Justice Brett Busby lost to Democrat Gisela Triana 52.13% to 47.87%.

Ellis, Kelly and Triana are outgoing judges on the Democratic controlled Third Court of Appeals in Austin.

All three incumbent Republicans running for their first election to the new 15th Court of Appeals lost.

Incumbent Chief Justice Scott Brister was ousted by Democrat appellate justice and litigator Jerry Zimmerer 51.9% to 48.1%.

Incumbent Justice Scott Field lost to Democrat Tom Baker 51.1% to 47.9%.

Incumbent Justice April Farris lost to Democrat nursing attorney with no judicial experience Marc Meyer 51.7% to 48.3%.

All three Republicans running for the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals, the state’s highest criminal court, lost.

In the open race for Place 3, Republican Thomas Smith lost to Democrat Dallas criminal defense attorney Okey Anyiam, 50.15% to 47.46%.

In Place 4, incumbent Republican Judge Kevin Yar was defeated by Democrat Judge Audra Riley 51.86% to 48.14%.

In the open race for Place 9, Republican prosecutor John Messinger lost to Democrat criminal defense attorney Holly Taylor 52.4% to 47.6%.