DENPAC ELECTION REPORT 2014 TEXAS GENERAL ELECTION RESULTS
DENTISTS ON THE HILL BRUSHING THE COMPETITION Voters elected three dentists to the 114th Congress last Tuesday. Dr Brian Babin, newly elected to represent Texas’ 36th congressional district, will join incumbent Representatives Paul Gosar, Arizona 4th, and Mike Simpson, Idaho 2nd, in the Republican majority in the House of Representatives when Congress convenes January 3, 2015.
MIKE SIMPSON ID - 02
62%
TEXAS STILL SEEING RED The 2014 Texas general election results confirmed what most predicted – Texas remains a Republican state. Democrats, state and national, placed additional resources and personnel on the ground in Texas in an attempt to bring a shade of “blue” to the Lone Star State. Their efforts and goals were thwarted by conservative voters in all categories – statewide, senate, house. In the statewide races – governor, lieutenant governor, attorney general, comptroller, agriculture commissioner, land commissioner – all posts will have new office holders, the first-ever complete turnover in state history. In the race for governor, Attorney General Greg Abbott handily defeated Wendy Davis who resigned her senate seat to seek the state’s highest office. In the lieutenant governor race, Senator Dan Patrick of Houston defeated Senator Leticia Van de Putte of San Antonio. Van de Putte’s senate seat was not on the ballot this cycle so she will remain a state senator. Senator Ken Paxton of Dallas won the race for attorney general and Senator Glen Hegar of Katy won the race for Comptroller. In the race for agriculture commissioner, Sid Miller defeated political newcomer Jim Hogan and George P. Bush entered the state political arena with a victory in the race for Texas land commissioner. Texas legislative districts are drawn every 10 years by the senate and house and, in most cases, they are drawn to favor one party or the other. For that reason, most senate and house races were decided months ago in the primary election. In the Texas Senate, members serve 4-year terms and one-half are up for election every 2 years. Fifteen senate seats were on general election ballot this cycle and Republicans will represent 12. Of those 12, five will be new to the chamber including Bob Hall of Dallas, Paul Bettencourt of Houston, Van Taylor of Dallas, Konni Burton of Fort Worth, and Donald Huffines of Dallas. Veteran incumbents who won re-election include Senator Robert Nichols (R-Jacksonville), Senator Charles Schwertner (R-Georgetown), Senator Kelly Hancock (R-North Richland Hills), Senator Kirk Watson (D-Austin), Senator John Whitmire (D-Houston), Senator Joan Huffman (R-Houston), Senator Royce West (D-Dallas), Senator Donna Campbell (R-San Antonio), Senator Craig Estes (R-Wichita Falls), and Senator Kel Seliger (R-Amarillo). Overall, Republicans gained one seat in the senate to hold a 20-11 majority. In the Texas House, all 150 members are up for election every 2 years. There were few surprises in house elections except two incumbent Democrats lost their seats – Representative Philip Cortez of San Antonio and Representative Mary Edna Perez of Houston. A third seat historically held by Democrats turned Republican as Wayne Faircloth of Galveston defeated Susan Criss for the seat vacated by Democrat Craig Eiland. Overall, Republicans gained three seats in the house to hold a 98-52 majority.
PAUL GOSAR AZ - 04
70%
PAC STATS BUILDING LASTING RELATIONSHIPS
BRIAN BABIN TX - 36
76%
The Texas Dental Association Political Action Committee, DENPAC, represents organized dentistry in statewide elections building relationships with candidates that demonstrate concern for the preservation of dentistry and for the dental health of the people of Texas. During the 2014 general election cycle, DENPAC supported 154 state candidates. DENPAC was involved in 14 state senate races where all 14 won their contests. DENPAC was also involved in 136 state house races. Of those, 135 won their contests with only one defeated. DENPAC, alongside statewide key contact dentists, continues to foster relationships with elected officials in order to protect the practice of dentistry in Texas.