United States Senate election in Texas, 1984
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The 1984 United States Senate election in Texas was held on November 6, 1984. Incumbent Republican U.S. Senator John G. Tower decided to retire, instead of seeking a fifth term. Republican Phil Gramm won the open seat.
Democratic primary
Candidates
- Lloyd Doggett, State Senator of Austin since 1975
- Kent Hance, U.S. Congressman of Texas' 19th congressional district since 1979
- Robert Charles Krueger, U.S. Congressman of Texas' 21st congressional district since 1975
- Harley Schlanger
- Robert Sullivan
- David Young
Campaign
The primary was 45% Hispanic, but included many moderate to conservative voters. Hance positioned himself as the most moderate to conservative candidate, who co-sponsored President Ronald Reagan's tax package.[1] Doggett was the more liberal candidate, attacking Reaganomics and getting endorsements from the Texas teachers' union and Agriculture Commissioner Jim Hightower.[2] Krueger was seen as the front runner and was a moderate who supported the state's oil and gas industry, but had close ties with the Hispanic community because he was Spanish-speaking.[3] Hance attacked both Kroeger and Doggett for supporting amnesty for illegal aliens and supporting gay rights.[4] The initial primary was extremely close between the top three candidates. Each candidate got 31% of the electorate. Hance ranked first, only 273 votes ahead of Doggett and 1,560 votes ahead of Krueger.
Since no candidate passed the 50% threshold, Hance and Doggett qualified for the run-off election. Hance fired his pollster despite ranking first.[5] Krueger endorsed fellow U.S. Congressman Hance, saying "Ultimately, the quality of one's public service depends upon the character that one displays in filling an office."[6][7] In the June election, Doggett very narrowly defeated Hance by just 1,345 votes.
Results
- Initial election in May 5, 1984
Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Democratic | Kent Hance | 456,446 | 31.2% | |
Democratic | Lloyd Doggett | 456,173 | 31.2% | |
Democratic | Robert Charles Krueger | 454,886 | 31.1% | |
Democratic | David Young | 47,062 | 3.2% | |
Democratic | Robert S. Sullivan | 34,733 | 2.4% | |
Democratic | Harley Schlanger | 14,149 | 1.0% |
- Run-off election on June 2, 1984
Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Democratic | Lloyd Doggett | 491,251 | 50.1% | |
Democratic | Kent Hance | 489,906 | 49.9% |
Republican primary
Candidates
- Phil Gramm, U.S. Congressman of Texas' 6th congressional district since 1979
- Hank Grover, State Senator and former State Representative
- Ron Paul, U.S. Congressman of Texas' 22nd congressional district (1976-1977, 1979-1985)
- Robert Mosbacher, Jr., oil businessman of Houston
Campaign
The primary was a highly competitive, multimillion-dollar contest.[10] Gramm recently switched parties in 1983, but he was a conservative who supported Reaganomics. Gramm spent $4 million.[11]
Results
Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Republican | Phil Gramm | 247,280 | 73.3% | |
Republican | Ron Paul | 55,771 | 16.5% | |
Republican | Robert A. Mosbacher Jr. | 26,250 | 7.8% | |
Republican | Hank Grover | 8,055 | 2.5% |
General election
Candidates
- Lloyd Doggett (D), State Senator
- Phil Gramm (R), U.S. Congressman
Results
Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Republican | Phil Gramm | 3,111,348 | 58.6% | |
Democratic | Lloyd Doggett | 2,202,557 | 41.4% |
See also
References
- ↑ "Conservative Holds Lead In Texas Senate Primary". The New York Times. 1984-06-03. Retrieved 2018-09-21.
- ↑ "The Victoria Advocate - Google News Archive Search". google.com.
- ↑ "Kentucky New Era - Google News Archive Search". google.com.
- ↑ "Mid Cities Daily News - Google News Archive Search". google.com.
- ↑ "The Bonham Daily Favorite - Google News Archive Search". google.com.
- ↑ AP (1984-06-01). "CAMPAIGN ; Krueger Backs Hance In Democratic Runoff". The New York Times. Retrieved 2018-09-21.
- ↑ "The Victoria Advocate - Google News Archive Search". google.com.
- ↑ "Our Campaigns - TX US Senate - D Primary Race - May 05, 1984". ourcampaigns.com.
- ↑ "Our Campaigns - TX US Senate - D Runoff Race - Jun 02, 1984". ourcampaigns.com.
- ↑ "Daily Times - Google News Archive Search". google.com.
- ↑ "The Victoria Advocate - Google News Archive Search". google.com.
- ↑ "Gramm Voices Surprise". The Victoria Advocate. May 6, 1984.
- ↑ "Our Campaigns - TX US Senate Race - Nov 06, 1990". ourcampaigns.com.