2014 Texas gubernatorial election explained

Election Name:	2014 Texas gubernatorial election
Country:	Texas
Type:	presidential
Ongoing:	no
Previous Election:	2010 Texas gubernatorial election
Previous Year:	2010
Next Election:	2018 Texas gubernatorial election
Next Year:	2018
Election Date:	November 4, 2014
Turnout:	33.7% (of registered voters) 25.0% (of voting age population)^[1]
Image1:	File:Greg Abbott crop.jpg
Nominee1:	Greg Abbott
Party1:	Republican Party (United States)
Popular Vote1:	2,796,547
Percentage1:	59.27%
Nominee2:	Wendy Davis
Party2:	Democratic Party (United States)
Popular Vote2:	1,835,596
Percentage2:	38.90%
Governor
Before Election:	Rick Perry
Before Party:	Republican Party (United States)
After Election:	Greg Abbott
After Party:	Republican Party (United States)

The 2014 Texas gubernatorial election was held on November 4, 2014, to elect the governor of Texas. Incumbent Republican Governor Rick Perry, who had served since the resignation of then-Governor George W. Bush on December 21, 2000, declined to run for an unprecedented fourth full term, making this the first open election for governor of the state since 1990.

The election took place between nominees who were selected on March 4, 2014: Republican State Attorney General Greg Abbott and Democratic State Senator Wendy Davis. Also on the ballot were Libertarian Party candidate Kathie Glass^[2] and Green Party candidate Brandon Parmer.^[3] Abbott was projected to carry the election, and ultimately won handily with a 20.4 percentage point advantage.^[4] As of 2022, this is the most recent gubernatorial election in which Bexar, Harris and Hays counties voted Republican and in which Frio, Jim Wells, and Val Verde counties voted Democratic. Exit polls showed Abbott winning Whites (72% to 25%), while Davis received majorities among African Americans (92% to 7%) and Hispanics (55% to 44%). Abbott won roughly half of Hispanic men, 54% of all women, and 62% of married women.^[5]

Abbott took office on January 20, 2015, as the 48th Governor of Texas.

Republican primary

Candidates

Declared

• Greg Abbott, Attorney General of Texas^[6]
• Lisa Fritsch, author and radio show host^[7]
• Larry Kilgore, perennial candidate^[8]
• Miriam Martinez, former Univision personality^[9]

Withdrew

• Tom Pauken, former Texas Workforce Commissioner and former chairman of the Republican Party of Texas^[10]

Declined

• David Dewhurst, Lieutenant Governor of Texas (ran for re-election and lost the party primary runoff)^{[11] [12]}
• Debra Medina, activist and candidate for Governor of Texas in 2010 (running for Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts)^{[13] [14]}
• Rick Perry, incumbent governor of Texas

Polling

Poll source	Date(s) administered	Sample size	Margin of error	Greg Abbott	Lisa Fritsch	Larry Kilgore	Miriam Martinez	Tom Pauken	Other	Undecided
UoT/Texas Tribune	February 7–17, 2014	461	± 4.56%	align=center	90%	4%	1%	5%	—	—	—
UoT/Texas Tribune	October 18–27, 2013	519	± 5.02%	align=center	50%	3%	1%	2%	2%	—	42%
Texas Lyceum	September 6–20, 2013	279	± 5.87%	align=center	22%	—	align=center	2%	1%	0%	—	align=center	74%

Poll source	Date(s) administered	class=small	Sample size	Margin of error	Rick Perry	Greg Abbott	Someone else	Undecided
Public Policy Polling	June 28–July 1, 2013	318	± ?%	align=center	46%	34%	—	20%
				align=center	44%	—	39%	17%
UoT/Texas Tribune	May 31–June 9, 2013	492	± 5.27%	align=center	45%	19%	11%	25%
UoT/Texas Tribune	February 15–24, 2013	549	± 4.18%	align=center	49%	17%	—	31%
Public Policy Polling	January 24–27, 2013	400	± 4.9%	align=center	47%	—	41%	13%
				align=center	41%	38%	—	20%
Burnt Orange Report	May 15–16, 2012	462	± 4.6%	align=center	42%	35%	7%	16%

Results

Democratic primary

Candidates

Declared

• Wendy Davis, state senator^{[15] [16]}
• Ray Madrigal, perennial candidate^[17]

Declined

• Julian Castro, United States Secretary of Housing and Urban Development and former mayor of San Antonio^[18]
• Kinky Friedman, singer, songwriter, novelist, humorist and independent candidate for governor in 2006 (candidate in May 27 runoff for Texas Commissioner of Agriculture)^{[19] [20]}
• Annise Parker, Mayor of Houston^[21]
• Mike Villarreal, state representative^[22]
• Kirk Watson, state senator and former mayor of Austin^[23]
• Bill White, former Mayor of Houston and nominee for governor in 2010^[24]

Results

Libertarian nomination

Candidates

Declared

• Robert Bell, pharmaceutical executive and chemist^[25]
• Robert Garrett, veteran, helicopter mechanic and prison officer^[26]
• Kathie Glass, attorney^[27]
• Robert "Star" Locke, rancher, building contractor, veteran and perennial candidate^[28]

Withdrew

• Gene Chapman, candidate for President of the United States in 2008^{[29] [30]}
• R. Lee Wrights, Vice Chair of the Libertarian National Committee and candidate for President of the United States in 2012^{[31] [32]}

Results

Kathie Glass was nominated at the 2014 party convention.

Green nomination

Candidates

Declared

• Brandon Parmer, candidate for Texas's 6th congressional district in 2012^[33]

Independents

Candidates

Declared

• Sarah M. Pavitt, an Army veteran and cousin of former SOCOM commander William H. McRaven, ran as a write-in candidate.^[34]

Declined

• Debra Medina, activist and Republican candidate for governor in 2010 (ran unsuccessfully for Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts)^[35]

General election

Debates

The first of two confirmed gubernatorial debates between Wendy Davis and Greg Abbott took place at the Edinburg Conference Center at Renaissance at 18:00 on Friday, September 19, co-hosted by KGBT-TV, The Monitor and KTLM-TV.^[36] KGBT-TV posted the complete video online and can be viewed here.^[37] The debate took place in Edinburg, Texas, and it gave both candidates an opportunity to appeal to the Hispanic community, a grouping seen by Reuters as an "increasingly important voting bloc in Texas."^[38] The second debate took place on September 30 and was also posted online.

Predictions

Source	Ranking	As of
align=left	The Cook Political Report^[39]		November 3, 2014
align=left	Sabato's Crystal Ball^[40]		November 3, 2014
align=left	Rothenberg Political Report^[41]		November 3, 2014
align=left	Real Clear Politics^[42]		November 3, 2014

Polling

Poll source	Date(s) administered	class=small	Sample size	Margin of error	Greg Abbott (R)	Wendy Davis (D)	Other	Undecided
CBS News/NYT/YouGov	October 16–23, 2014	3,987	± 3%	align=center	57%	37%	0%	6%
UoT/Texas Tribune	October 10–19, 2014	866	± 3.6%	align=center	54%	38%	8%^[43]	—
Survey Research Center	September 22–October 16, 2014	781	± 3.5%	align=center	47%	32%	2%^[44]	17%
Crosswind Communications	October 9–12, 2014	500	± 4.33%	align=center	52%	31%	0%	16%
Rasmussen Reports	October 1–2, 2014	840	± 3.5%	align=center	51%	40%	3%	7%
CBS News/NYT/YouGov	September 20–October 1, 2014	4,177	± 2%	align=center	54%	40%	0%	5%
	September 11–25, 2014	666	± 3.8%	align=center	49%	40%	4%^[45]	8%
Benenson*	September 2–4, 2014	800	± 3.5%	align=center	46%	38%	—	16%
WPA Opinion Research^	September 3, 2014	?	± ?	align=center	53%	35%	—	12%
CBS News/NYT/YouGov	August 18–September 2, 2014	4,189	± 2%	align=center	56%	38%	2%	5%
Rasmussen Reports	August 4–5, 2014	850	± 3.5%	align=center	48%	40%	3%	9%
CBS News/NYT/YouGov	July 5–24, 2014	4,320	± 3.7%	align=center	54%	37%	1%	9%
UoT/Texas Tribune	May 30–June 8, 2014	1,200	± 2.83%	align=center	44%	32%	7%^[46]	17%
Texas Tech University	April 14–17, 2014	454	± 4.6%	align=center	54%	25%	6%	15%
Public Policy Polling	April 10–13, 2014	559	± 4.1%	align=center	51%	37%	—	13%
Emerson College	March 7–12, 2014	494	± ?	align=center	49%	42%	—	9%
Rasmussen Reports	March 3–4, 2014	500	± 4.5%	align=center	53%	41%	1%	4%
UoT/Texas Tribune	February 7–17, 2014	1,200	± 2.83%	align=center	47%	36%	—	17%
Public Policy Polling	align=center rowspan=2	November 1–4, 2013	align=center rowspan=2	500	align=center rowspan=2	± 4.4%	align=center	50%	35%	—	15%
	align=center	47%	37%	9%	8%
UoT/Texas Tribune	align=center rowspan=2	October 18–27, 2013	align=center rowspan=2	1,200	align=center rowspan=2	± 3.3%	align=center	40%	34%	—	25%
	align=center	40%	35%	5%^[47]	20%
Texas Lyceum	September 6–20, 2013	798	± 3.47%	29%	21%	—	align=center	50%
Public Policy Polling	June 28–July 1, 2013	500	± 4.4%	align=center	48%	40%	—	12%
Public Policy Polling	January 24–27, 2013	400	± 4.9%	align=center	46%	34%	—	20%

With Castro

Poll source	Date(s) administered	class=small	Sample size	Margin of error	Greg Abbott (R)	Julian Castro (D)	Other	Undecided
Public Policy Polling	June 28–July 1, 2013	500	± 4.4%	align=center	48%	34%	—	18%
Public Policy Polling	January 24–27, 2013	400	± 4.9%	align=center	46%	36%	—	18%

Poll source	Date(s) administered	class=small	Sample size	Margin of error	Rick Perry (R)	Julian Castro (D)	Other	Undecided
Public Policy Polling	June 28–July 1, 2013	500	± 4.4%	align=center	50%	43%	—	8%
Public Policy Polling	January 24–27, 2013	400	± 4.9%	align=center	47%	42%	—	11%

With Davis

Poll source	Date(s) administered	class=small	Sample size	Margin of error	Tom Pauken (R)	Wendy Davis (D)	Other	Undecided
UoT/Texas Tribune	align=center rowspan=2	October 18–27, 2013	align=center rowspan=2	1,200	align=center rowspan=2	± 3.3%	34%	align=center	38%	—	28%
	33%	align=center	36%	6%	25%

Poll source	Date(s) administered	class=small	Sample size	Margin of error	Rick Perry (R)	Wendy Davis (D)	Other	Undecided
Public Policy Polling	June 28–July 1, 2013	500	± 4.4%	align=center	53%	39%	—	8%
Public Policy Polling	January 24–27, 2013	400	± 4.9%	align=center	47%	41%	—	13%

With Parker

Poll source	Date(s) administered	class=small	Sample size	Margin of error	Greg Abbott (R)	Annise Parker (D)	Other	Undecided
Public Policy Polling	June 28–July 1, 2013	500	± 4.4%	align=center	50%	31%	—	20%
Public Policy Polling	January 24–27, 2013	400	± 4.9%	align=center	47%	35%	—	18%

Poll source	Date(s) administered	class=small	Sample size	Margin of error	Rick Perry (R)	Annise Parker (D)	Other	Undecided
Public Policy Polling	June 28–July 1, 2013	500	± 4.4%	align=center	52%	35%	—	13%
Public Policy Polling	January 24–27, 2013	400	± 4.9%	align=center	47%	40%	—	13%

With White

Poll source	Date(s) administered	class=small	Sample size	Margin of error	Greg Abbott (R)	Bill White (D)	Other	Undecided
Public Policy Polling	June 28–July 1, 2013	500	± 4.4%	align=center	48%	36%	—	16%
Public Policy Polling	January 24–27, 2013	400	± 4.9%	align=center	46%	39%	—	15%

Poll source	Date(s) administered	class=small	Sample size	Margin of error	Rick Perry (R)	Bill White (D)	Other	Undecided
Public Policy Polling	June 28–July 1, 2013	500	± 4.4%	align=center	50%	40%	—	10%
Public Policy Polling	January 24–27, 2013	400	± 4.9%	44%	align=center	47%	—	9%

• * Poll for the Wendy Davis campaign
• ^ Poll for the Greg Abbott campaign

Results

Counties that flipped from Democratic to Republican

• Bexar (largest city: San Antonio)
• Culberson (largest municipality: Van Horn)
• Falls (largest city: Marlin)
• Foard (largest city: Crowell)
• Harris (largest community: Houston)
• Kleberg (largest municipality: Kingsville)
• La Salle (largest municipality: Cotulla)
• Reeves (largest municipality: Pecos)
• Trinity (largest city: Trinity)

See also

• 2014 United States gubernatorial elections
• 2014 United States House of Representatives elections in Texas
• 2014 United States Senate election in Texas
• 2014 Texas elections

External links

• Texas gubernatorial election, 2014 at Ballotpedia
• Greg Abbott for Governor
• Wendy Davis for Governor
• Kathie Glass for Governor
• Lisa Fritsch for Governor
• Larry Kilgore for Governor
• Miriam Martinez for Governor
• R. Lee Wrights for Governor
• Gene Chapman for Governor

Notes and References

1. Web site: Turnout and Voter Registration Figures (1970-current). www.sos.state.tx.us. April 3, 2019.
2. Web site: 2014 Statewide Offices List . Libertarian Party of Texas . July 15, 2014 . https://web.archive.org/web/20140726081410/https://www.lptexas.org/texas-statewide-offices/84-candidates/1118-2014-statewide-offices-list . July 26, 2014 . dead .
3. Web site: Green Party of Texas - Peace * Justice * Democracy * Ecology. October 11, 2014.
4. Web site: Up and down the ballot, a night of dominance for GOP in Texas and in Harris County. Houston Chronicle. November 5, 2014 . November 15, 2014.
5. Web site: 2014 Exit Polls - Politics - Fox News. Fox News. November 15, 2014.
6. Web site: Greg Abbott makes it official: He's running for governor of Texas. July 14, 2013. Hoppe. Christy. July 15, 2013. March 3, 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20160303181519/http://trailblazersblog.dallasnews.com/2013/07/greg-abbott-makes-it-official-hes-running-for-governor.html/. dead.
7. Web site: Another Republican jumps into the race for Texas governor. San Antonio Express-News. October 8, 2013. Rauf. David. October 9, 2013. October 12, 2013. https://web.archive.org/web/20131012070636/http://blog.mysanantonio.com/texas-politics/2013/10/another-republican-jumps-into-the-race-for-texas-governor/. dead.
8. News: With Stickers, a Petition and Even a Middle Name, Secession Fever Hits Texas. November 23, 2012. February 20, 2013. The New York Times. Manny. Fernandez.
9. Web site: Miriam Martinez says she'll run for governor. The Monitor . January 22, 2013.
10. Web site: Tom Pauken withdraws from GOP governor's race. The Dallas Morning News. 5 December 2013. 9 December 2013. December 8, 2013. https://web.archive.org/web/20131208233755/http://trailblazersblog.dallasnews.com/2013/12/tom-pauken-withdraws-from-gop-governors-race.html/. dead.
11. Web site: Stutz . Terrence . David Dewhurst '101 percent' sure he'll seek re-election as Texas lieutenant governor | Dallasnews.com - News for Dallas, Texas - The Dallas Morning News . Dallasnews.com . July 8, 2013 . April 3, 2015 . https://web.archive.org/web/20150403173952/http://www.dallasnews.com/news/politics/state-politics/20130104-david-dewhurst-101-percent-sure-hell-seek-re-election-as-texas-lieutenant-governor.ece . dead .
12. News: Dewhurst affirms re-election campaign. https://web.archive.org/web/20130911140411/http://abclocal.go.com/ktrk/story?section=news%2Fstate&id=9199062. dead. September 11, 2013. Associated Press. KTRK-TV Houston. August 7, 2013. August 9, 2013. mdy-all.
13. Web site: Debra Medina - Looking forward to a weekend of... . Facebook . July 8, 2013.
14. Web site: Medina may run for Texas office again in 2014 - PoliTex . Blogs.star-telegram.com . February 20, 2012 . June 24, 2013 . https://web.archive.org/web/20130511001923/http://blogs.star-telegram.com/politex/2012/02/medina-may-again-run-for-texas-office-in-2014.html . May 11, 2013 . dead .
15. Web site: Wendy Davis tells Democrats she's in . Politico . September 26, 2013 . September 26, 2013.
16. Web site: Wendy Davis, of filibuster fame, to run for Texas governor . Reuters . September 26, 2013 . September 27, 2013.
17. Web site: 2014 campaign now off and running in Texas . Star-Telegram . November 9, 2013 . November 15, 2013 . https://web.archive.org/web/20131110114912/http://www.star-telegram.com/2013/11/09/5321330/2014-campaign-now-off-and-running.html . November 10, 2013 . dead .
18. Web site: Cooper. Gary. Mayor Julian Castro says he's not running for governor in 2014. KENS 5. January 17, 2013. January 18, 2013.
19. Web site: First Reading . www.statesman.com . April 24, 2013.
20. Web site: Kennedy . Bud . To Kinky Friedman, a Wendy-for-governor campaign is no joke | Bud Kennedy | Fort Worth, Arlin . Star-telegram.com . June 29, 2013 . October 5, 2013 . https://web.archive.org/web/20131006065434/http://www.star-telegram.com/2013/06/29/4972503/to-kinky-friedman-a-wendy-for.html . October 6, 2013 . dead .
21. Web site: Twitter / anniseparker: LOL. I appreciate the . Twitter.com . July 18, 2013.
22. Web site: Mike Villarreal - My mother was the first to call me about... . Facebook . June 20, 2013.
23. Web site: 2014 Texas Governor's Race: Democratic Primary Preview. Burnt Orange Report . February 18, 2013. June 26, 2013.
24. Web site: Bill White says Texas lagging in skilled jobs - Houston Chronicle . Chron.com . February 28, 2013 . June 20, 2013.
25. Web site: Interview with Texas Libertarian Party Gubernatorial Hopeful Robert Bell . Independent Political Report . January 27, 2014 . February 14, 2014.
26. Web site: Retired Army sergeant running for governor . Killeen Daily Herald . January 5, 2014 . February 14, 2014.
27. Web site: Libertarian Kathie Glass Announces Bid for Governor . The Texas Tribune . June 26, 2013 . October 5, 2013.
28. Web site: 2014 Texas Statewide Candidates . Burnt Orange Report . October 5, 2013.
29. Web site: Chapman for Governor . The Dalhart Texan . July 15, 2013 . July 15, 2013 . https://web.archive.org/web/20131016012628/http://thedalharttexan.com/index.php?mact=News,cntnt01,detail,0&cntnt01articleid=2592&cntnt01origid=15&cntnt01returnid=27 . October 16, 2013 . dead .
30. http://verygoodcitizenshiptoday.blogspot.com.au/2014/01/chapman-withdraws-from-texas.html "Chapman Withdraws from Texas Gubernatorial Race"
31. Web site: Lee Wrights Considering Run for Texas Governor | Independent Political Report: Third Party News . Independent Political Report . July 5, 2013 . July 9, 2013.
32. Web site: Ziggler . Jed . Lee Wrights Drops Out of Texas Gubernatorial Race . January 20, 2014 . Independent Political Report . 2014-03-05.
33. Web site: Texas Greens Occupy Ballot In 2014 . Green Party . December 10, 2013 . January 29, 2014 . https://web.archive.org/web/20140201221613/http://www.gp.org/index.php/newsroom/press-releases/details/4/662.html . February 1, 2014 . dead . mdy-all .
34. News: If Three's a Crowd.... October 31, 2014. November 3, 2014. Texas Monthly. Jeff Winkler.
35. News: Medina not about to run for governor. October 28, 2013. November 5, 2013. Express News. Peggy Fikac.
36. http://www.valleycentral.com/debate/ Abbott, Davis to debate in the Rio Grande Valley
37. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FThK3OglizQ Texas Governor Debate
38. News: Richter. Marie. Texas gubernatorial candidates court Hispanic vote in debate. September 20, 2014 . Reuters. 21 September 2014.
39. Web site: 2014 Governor Race Ratings for November 3, 2014 . The Cook Political Report . September 3, 2018.
40. Web site: The Crystal Ball's Final 2014 Picks . Sabato's Crystal Ball . November 3, 2014 . September 3, 2018.
41. Web site: 2014 Gubernatorial Ratings . Senate Ratings . The Rothenberg Political Report . September 3, 2018.
42. Web site: 2014 Elections Map - 2014 Governors Races . Real Clear Politics . September 3, 2018.
43. Kathie Glass (L) 6%, Brandon Parmer (G) 2%
44. Kathie Glass (L) 1%, Brandon Parmer (G) 1%
45. Kathie Glass (L) 2%, Brandon Parmer (G) 2%
46. Kathie Glass (L) 3%, Brandon Parmer (G) 1%, Other 3%
47. Kathie Glass (L)