United States Senate election in Texas, 2014

United States Senate election in Texas, 2014

November 4, 2014

Nominee John Cornyn David Alameel Party Republican Democratic Popular vote 2,855,068 1,594,252 Percentage 61.55% 34.36%

County results

U.S. Senator before election John Cornyn Republican Elected U.S. Senator John Cornyn Republican

The 2014 United States Senate election in Texas was held on November 4, 2014 to elect a member of the United States Senate. Incumbent Republican Senator and Senate Minority Whip John Cornyn ran for re-election to a third term. Primary elections were held on March 4, 2014. The Democratic primary required a runoff election on May 27, 2014 to choose an opponent to Cornyn. David Alameel, who came in first in the primary, won the runoff and became his party's nominee.

Republican primary

In February 2014, Republican Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell was featured in a controversial television advertisement by Dwayne Stovall. Stovall belittled McConnell, Cornyn's superior in the Senate leadership, as an ineffective "Beltway turtle" who is out-of-touch with the party rank-and-file.^[1] Until the controversial advertisement, the media had largely ignored Stovall's candidacy. Greta Van Susteren of Fox News called Stovall a "jerk" for running the "turtle" ad against McConnell: "You can be clever and funny in ads... or you can be gratuitously insulting."^[2]

Candidates

Declared

• Curt Cleaver, hotel industry consultant and candidate for the U.S. Senate in 2012^[3]
• Ken Cope, aerospace executive and retired United States Army Lieutenant Colonel^[3]
• John Cornyn, incumbent U.S. Senator^[4]
• Chris Mapp, businessman^[5]
• Reid Reasor, Tea Party activist^[6]
• Steve Stockman, U.S. Representative^[7]
• Dwayne Stovall, bridge construction contractor, school board member from Cleveland and candidate for the State House of Representatives in 2012^[8]
• Linda Vega, attorney and immigration activist^[9]

Withdrew

• Erick Wyatt, U.S. Army veteran^[10][11]

Declined

• Greg Abbott, Texas Attorney General (running for Governor)^[12]
• David Barton, author, minister and former Vice Chair of the Republican Party of Texas^[13]
• David Dewhurst, Lieutenant Governor of Texas (running for re-election)^[14][15]
• Louie Gohmert, U.S. Representative (running for re-election)^[16][17]
• Debra Medina, activist and candidate for Governor in 2010 (ran for Comptroller of Public Accounts)^[18]

Endorsements

John Cornyn

Individuals Kay Granger, U.S. Representative[19] Rick Perry, Governor of Texas[20] Karl Rove, Republican campaign consultant; appeared with Cornyn in rally in Longview[21] George Strake, Jr., former chairman of the Republican Party of Texas, former Secretary of State of Texas, and unsuccessful candidate for Lieutenant Governor of Texas in 1982[22] Organizations Texas Right to Life PAC[23] United States Chamber of Commerce[24]

Steve Stockman
Individuals Jerome Corsi, historian and journalist[25] Organizations Revolution PAC[26] Gun Owners of America[27]

Linda Vega
Individuals Erick Wyatt, former candidate for the U.S. Senate[11]

Dwayne Stovall

Groups Cypress Tea Party Alvin Tea Party Texas Conservatives ICV Fire Fighters for Liberty Republican Liberty Caucus of CD36 Bigfoot’s Hot Shot Transport Justin Register Pearland TEA Party TexasConservatives.org Grassroots America - We the People South Texas Tea Party Network Nacogdoches Tea Party Stand Across America Young Republicans of Houston Republican Liberty Caucus of CD 36 Katy LiberTea Southern Conservative Kaufman Tea Party Pearland Tea Party Facebook Tea Party TeaParty911 Montague County Tea Party Sam Houston Tea Party Llano Tea Party Cass County Tea Party Wichita Falls Tea Party Lake Jackson Tea Party (straw poll win) Ellis County (straw poll win) Tri-County Tea Party Clearlake Tea Party Overpasses for Obama's Impeachment Alvin Tea Party Firefighters for Liberty [28]

Declined to endorse
Individuals Greg Abbott, Texas Attorney General[29] Ted Cruz, U.S. Senator[30] Blake Farenthold, U.S. Representative[31] Louie Gohmert, U.S. Representative[32] Ralph Hall, U.S. Representative[31] Ted Nugent, musician and conservative activist[33] Organizations Club for Growth[34]

Polling

Poll source	Date(s) administered	Sample size	Margin of error	Curt Cleaver	Ken Cope	John Cornyn	Chris Mapp	Reid Reasor	Steve Stockman	Dwayne Stovall	Linda Vega	Other	Undecided
UoT/Texas Tribune	February 7–17, 2014	461	± 4.56%	1%	4%	62%	3%	3%	16%	4%	7%	—	—
Gravis Marketing	February 10–12, 2014	729	± 3.6%	—	—	43%	—	—	28%	—	—	—	29%
Wilson Perkins Allen	December 13, 2013	762	± 3.6%	—	—	50%	—	—	6%	—	—	5%	39%
Public Policy Polling	November 1–4, 2013	388	± 4.4%	—	—	41%	—	—	18%	—	—	—	44%

Poll source	Date(s) administered	Sample size	Margin of error	John Cornyn	Someone more conservative	Undecided
Public Policy Polling	November 1–4, 2013	388	± 4.4%	33%	49%	18%
Gravis Marketing	October 26, 2013	563	± 3%	33%	46%	21%

Results

Republican primary results^[35]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Republican	John Cornyn	781,259	59.43
	Republican	Steve Stockman	251,577	19.13
	Republican	Dwayne Stovall	140,794	10.71
	Republican	Linda Vega	50,057	3.8
	Republican	Ken Cope	34,409	2.61
	Republican	Chris Mapp	23,535	1.79
	Republican	Reid Reasor	20,600	1.56
	Republican	Curt Cleaver	12,325	0.93
Total votes			1,314,556	100

Because Cornyn surpassed a majority in the primary, he faced no runoff election.^[36] Cornyn's winning percent and margin of victory were the lowest by any Texas Republican U.S. Senator in a primary election in state history.^[37]

Democratic primary

Candidates

Declared

• David Alameel, businessman and candidate for Texas's 33rd congressional district in 2012^[38]
• Michael Fjetland, businessman, Independent candidate for Texas's 22nd congressional district in 2004 and Republican candidate for the seat in 2006^[39]
• HyeTae "Harry" Kim, physician^[38]
• Kesha Rogers, Worldwide LaRouche Youth Movement activist and nominee for Texas's 22nd congressional district in 2010 and 2012^[40]
• Maxey Scherr, attorney^[41]

Declined

• Wendy Davis, State Senator (running for Governor)^[42]
• Bill White, former Mayor of Houston and nominee for Governor in 2010^[43]

Endorsements

David Alameel

Individuals Roberto Alonzo, State Representative[44] John Wiley Bryant, former U.S. Representative (TX-05)[44] Wendy Davis, State Senator and candidate for Governor[45] Yvonne Davis, State Representative[44] Ryan Guillen, State Representative[44] Joe Pickett, State Representative[44] Ciro Rodriguez, former U.S. Representative (TX-23)[44] Rosa Rosales, former national president of LULAC[44] Chris Turner[44] Carlos Uresti, State Senator[44] Leticia Van de Putte, State Senator and nominee for Lieutenant Governor[44] Marc Veasey, U.S. Representative (TX-33)[44] Organizations Bexar County African-American Political Alliance[44] Bexar County Northside Coalition of Women[44] Bexar County Mexican American Democrats[44] Bexar County Second Chance Democrats[44] Bexar County Tejano Democrats[44] Bexar County Young Tejano Democrats[44] Hispanic Women for Better Justice[44] Houston GLBT Political Caucus[44] Mexican American Democrats of Texas, San Antonio Chapter[44] Texas Young Democrats Women's Caucus[44] Media The Beaumont Enterprise[44] The Dallas Morning News[44] Fort Worth Star-Telegram[44] The Houston Chronicle[44]

Michael Fjetland
Media Texpatriate[46]

Kesha Rogers
Organizations Doctors Against Murderous Obamacare[47]

Maxey Scherr

Individuals Carol Alvarado, State Representative[48] John Cook, former Mayor of El Paso and nominee for Land Commissioner[48] Veronica Escobar, El Paso County Judge[48] David Langston, former Mayor of Lubbock[48] Sergio Lewis, El Paso County Commissioner[48] Marisa Marquez, State Representative[48] Joe Moody, State Representative[49] Beto O'Rourke, U.S. Representative (TX-16)[48] Barbara Ann Radnofsky, nominee for U.S. Senate in 2006 and for Attorney General in 2010[48] Silvestre Reyes, former U.S. Representative[49] José R. Rodríguez, State Senator[49] Eliot Shapleigh, former State Senator[48] Armando Walle, State Representative[48] Organizations Amalgamated Transit Union Local 694[48] American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) Local 59[48] Austin Environmental Democrats[48] Austin North by Northwest (NxNW) Democrats[48] Austin Progressive Coalition[48] Austin Stonewall Democrats[48] Austin Young Democrats[48] Bay Area New Democrats (BAND)[48] Capital Area Asian American Democrats[48] Central Austin Democrats[48] Democracy for Houston[48] El Paso Black Democrats[48] El Paso Central Labor Union[48] El Paso West Side Democrats[48] Galveston Democratic Coalition[48] International Association of Fire Fighters Local 51[48] NE Travis County Democrats[48] San Antonio Stonewall Democrats[48] South East Texas Stonewall Democrats[48] State Tejano Democrats[48] Texas Womans Coalition[48] University Democrats (UDems)[48] University of Houston Democrats[48] Media The Austin Chronicle[48] Burnt Orange Report[50] Jewish Herald-Voice[48] Lubbock Avalanche-Journal[48] San Antonio Express-News[48]

Polling

Poll source	Date(s) administered	Sample size	Margin of error	David Alameel	Michael Fjetland	Harry Kim	Kesha Rogers	Maxey Scherr	Other	Undecided
UoT/Texas Tribune	February 7–17, 2014	263	± 6.04%	27%	9%	14%	35%	15%	—	—

Results

Democratic primary results^[51]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	David Alameel	239,914	47.04
	Democratic	Kesha Rogers	110,146	21.59
	Democratic	Maxey Scherr	90,359	17.71
	Democratic	HyeTae "Harry" Kim	45,207	8.86
	Democratic	Michael Fjetland	24,383	4.78
Total votes			510,009	100

Because no candidate received over 50% of the vote in the primary, the two with the most votes – David Alameel and Kesha Rogers – advanced to a runoff on May 27.^[52]

Democratic primary runoff results^[53]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	David Alameel	145,039	72.16
	Democratic	Kesha Rogers	55,953	27.84
Total votes			200,992	100

Libertarian convention

Candidates

Declared

• Rebecca Paddock, electrical engineer^[54]
• Tanuja Paruchuri, holistic wellness coach^[54]
• Jon Roland, computer programmer and nominee for Texas Attorney General in 2002, 2006 and 2010^[54]

Results

Rebecca Paddock won the nomination.

Green nomination

Candidates

Declared

• Emily Marie Sanchez^[55]

Results

Sanchez won the nomination.

General election

Polling

Poll source	Date(s) administered	Sample size	Margin of error	John Cornyn (R)	David Alameel (D)	Other	Undecided
CBS News/NYT/YouGov	October 16–23, 2014	3,987	± 3%	57%	35%	1%	8%
UoT/Texas Tribune	October 10–19, 2014	866	± 3.6%	57%	31%	12%[56]	—
Rasmussen Reports	October 1–2, 2014	840	± 3.5%	50%	29%	6%	15%
CBS News/NYT/YouGov	September 20–October 1, 2014	4,177	± 2%	55%	35%	1%	9%
Texas Lyceum	September 11–25, 2014	666	± 3.8%	48%	30%	8%[57]	14%
CBS News/NYT/YouGov	August 18–September 2, 2014	4,189	± 2%	55%	39%	3%	8%
Rasmussen Reports	August 4–5, 2014	4,353	± 3.0%	47%	29%	6%	19%
CBS News/NYT/YouGov	July 5–24, 2014	4,353	± 3.7%	52%	35%	3%	10%
UoT/Texas Tribune	May 30–June 8, 2014	1,200	± 2.83%	36%	25%	13%[58]	26%
Public Policy Polling	April 10–13, 2014	559	± 4.1%	49%	32%	—	20%

Results

United States Senate election in Texas, 2014^[59]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Republican	John Cornyn	2,855,068	61.55
	Democratic	David Alameel	1,594,252	34.36
	Libertarian	Rebecca Paddock	133,467	2.87
	Green	Emily Marie Sanchez	54,587	1.17
	Independent	Mohammed Tahiro	1,178	0.02
Majority			1,022,814	22.05%
Total votes			4,638,552	100
Voter turnout			33.07%
	Republican hold

See also

• United States Senate elections, 2014
• United States elections, 2014

References

1. "Samantha Lachman, "GOP Senate Candidate Calls Mitch McConnell 'Beltway Turtle' in Anti-Cornyn Ad", February 14, 2014". Huffington Post. February 14, 2014. Retrieved February 16, 2014.
2. "Greta Slams Longshot GOP Candidate as 'Jerk' for McConnell Insult, February 14, 2014". newsmax.com. Retrieved February 16, 2014.
3. Tinsley, Anna M. (December 9, 2013). "Filing ends, ballot set for 2014 election". Roll Call. Retrieved December 9, 2013.
4. "John Cornyn Airs First Re-Election Campaign Spot". Roll Call. October 7, 2013. Retrieved November 24, 2013.
5. "A Local Man Plans on Running for U.S. Senate". Crossroads Today. November 13, 2013. Retrieved November 24, 2013.
6. Alexa Ura (November 29, 2013). "Democrat Alameel Will Run for Cornyn's Senate Seat". The Texas Tribune. Retrieved December 10, 2013.
7. Kant, Garth (December 9, 2013). "Tea-Party Favorite Takes on GOP Big Name". WorldNetDaily. Retrieved December 9, 2013.
8. "U.S. Senate hopeful addresses Lone Star Patriots of Leon County". Leon County Today. June 4, 2013. Retrieved July 9, 2013.
9. "Attorney Vega challenging Cornyn in GOP primary". Houston Chronicle. October 23, 2013. Retrieved October 23, 2013.
10. Alexis Levinson (February 22, 2013). "Cornyn draws primary challenger". The Daily Caller. Retrieved July 9, 2013.
11. "Erick Wyatt Withdraws from US Senate Race". Facebook. November 25, 2013. Retrieved December 5, 2013.
12. "Greg Abbott for Governor". Retrieved July 14, 2013.
13. Kopan, Tal. "David Barton won't run against John Cornyn". Politico. Retrieved 6 November 2013.
14. Stutz, Terrence (January 4, 2013). "David Dewhurst '101 percent' sure he'll seek re-election as Texas lieutenant governor". Dallasnews.com. Retrieved July 8, 2013.
15. "Dewhurst affirms re-election campaign". KTRK-TV Houston. Associated Press. August 7, 2013. Retrieved August 9, 2013.
16. Burka, Paul (August 8, 2013). "Gohmert v. Cornyn". Texas Monthly. Retrieved August 9, 2013.
17. Vogas, Joseph (December 9, 2013). "BOR Elections Weekly Round Up, Dec. 2 - 8: A Busy Final Week of Filing". Burnt Orange Report. Retrieved December 9, 2013.
18. "Debra Medina - Looking forward to a weekend of...". Facebook. June 27, 2013. Retrieved July 8, 2013.
19. Joseph, Cameron; Hooper, Molly K. (December 10, 2013). "Lawmakers: Cornyn will easily defeat Stockman". The Hill. Retrieved December 12, 2013.
20. Tilove, Jonathan (November 15, 2013). "Rick Perry offers John Cornyn a ringing endorsment [sic] for re-election". Austin American-Statesman. Retrieved December 8, 2013.
21. Glenn Evan, "Cornyn plans campaign stop in Longview", Longview News-Journal, February 8, 2014
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23. "Cornyn Campaign Announces Endorsement of State's Oldest and Largest Pro-Life Organization". John Cornyn for U.S. Senate. October 14, 2013. Retrieved December 12, 2013.
24. Joseph, Cameron (December 10, 2013). "Chamber of Commerce backs Cornyn in primary". The Hill. Retrieved December 12, 2013.
25. "endorsement statement". teaparty.org. Retrieved February 17, 2014.
26. "Revolution PAC Endorses Stockman for US Senate". Revolution PAC. December 11, 2013. Retrieved December 12, 2013.
27. Swartsell, Nick (2013-12-18). "NRA backs Cornyn; another gun group supports Stockman in Senate race | Dallas Morning News". Dallasnews.com. Retrieved 2014-07-25.
28. "Putting Texas First". All For Stovall. Retrieved 2014-07-25.
29. MacNeal, Caitlin (December 11, 2013). "Abbott Won't Endorse In Texas Senate Race". Talking Points Memo. Retrieved December 12, 2013.
30. "Sen. Ted Cruz won't endorse Sen. John Cornyn for re-election, August 23, 2013". Dallas Morning News. Retrieved February 16, 2014.
31. Gillman, Todd J.; Swartsell, Nick (December 11, 2013). "Lawmakers on right aren't flocking to help Stockman unseat Cornyn". The Dallas Morning News. Retrieved December 12, 2013.
32. Levinson, Alexis (December 11, 2013). "Gohmert says no endorsement in Stockman's Senate bid". The Daily Caller. Retrieved December 12, 2013.
33. Strauss, Daniel (December 10, 2013). "Ted Nugent Won't Endorse Rep. Stockman Or Sen. Cornyn". Talking Points Memo. Retrieved December 12, 2013.
34. Strauss, Daniel (December 10, 2013). "Club For Growth Staying Out Of GOP Primary In Texas Senate Race". Talking Points Memo. Retrieved December 12, 2013.
35. 2014 Republican Party Primary Election Archived January 9, 2014, at the Wayback Machine.
36. McCormick, John (5 March 2014). "Republican Cornyn Wins Primary in Texas Over Tea Party Foe". bloomberg.com. Retrieved 6 March 2014.
37. Ostermeier, Eric (March 5, 2014). "Cornyn Records Weakest Ever Primary Win for Texas GOP US Senator". Smart Politics.
38. Gillman, Todd J. (December 2, 2013). "Dallas dentist David Alameel brings big fortune to U.S. Senate race". Dallas Morning News. Retrieved December 5, 2013.
39. "Republican turned Democrat runs for Cornyn's Senate seat". blog.chron.com. November 22, 2013. Retrieved November 24, 2013.
40. Swartsell, Nick (December 6, 2013). "Anti-Obama Democrat Kesha Rogers files for U.S. Senate". The Dallas Morning News. Retrieved December 8, 2013.
41. "Democratic Candidates". Texpatriate. October 28, 2013. Retrieved October 28, 2013.
42. Catherine Thompson (August 5, 2013). "Texas governor race 2014: Wendy Davis: I will run for reelection or governor". Politico. Retrieved August 6, 2013.
43. "Bill White says Texas lagging in skilled jobs". Houston Chronicle. February 28, 2013. Retrieved July 9, 2013.
44. "Endorsements". David Alameel for U.S. Senate. Retrieved February 19, 2014.
45. Swartsell, Nick (January 13, 2014). "Wendy Davis endorses David Alameel for U.S. Senate". The Dallas Morning News. Retrieved January 20, 2014.
46. "Texpatriate endorses in US Senate Democratic primary". Texpatriate. February 13, 2014. Retrieved February 19, 2014.
47. Overton, Ian (February 13, 2014). "Kesha Rogers Receives Endorsement from Doctors Against Murderous Obamacare". Kesha Rogers for U.S. Senate. Retrieved February 19, 2014.
48. "Endorsements". Maxey Scherr for U.S. Senate. Retrieved February 19, 2014.
49. Kuffner, Charles (December 6, 2013). "Maxey Scherr kicks off her campaign". Off the Kuff. Retrieved December 8, 2013.
50. "Burnt Orange Report Endorses Maxey Scherr for US Senate". Burnt Orange Report. February 19, 2014. Retrieved February 19, 2014.
51. 2014 Democratic Party Primary Election Archived January 9, 2014, at the Wayback Machine.
52. Weissert, Will (5 March 2014). "Alameel, Rogers Advance to Texas Senate Runoff". abcnews.go.com. ABC News. Retrieved 6 March 2014.
53. "Texas - Summary Vote Results". Associated Press. May 28, 2014. Retrieved May 29, 2014.
54. "2014 Federal Candidates". Libertarian Party of Texas. Retrieved December 9, 2013.
55. "Texas Greens Occupy Ballot In 2014". Green Party. December 10, 2013. Retrieved January 29, 2014.
56. Rebecca Paddock (L) 7%, Emily Marie Sanchez (G) 5%
57. Rebecca Paddock (L) 4%, Emily Marie Sanchez (G) 4%
58. Rebecca Paddock (L) 5%, Emily Marie Sanchez (G) 3%, Other 5%
59. "Office of the Secretary of State 2014 General Election Election Night Returns". Texas Secretary of State. Retrieved November 30, 2014.

External links

• U.S. Senate elections in Texas, 2014 at Ballotpedia
• Campaign contributions at OpenSecrets.org