Early voting for the November 4 General Election will start October 20. However, after the primaries, the run-off for the primaries and several special elections, below is a list that previews the make-up of the 84th Legislature, more details will follow after the General Election on November 4.
House
The House will be composed of at least 23 freshmen next session, nine of which defeated incumbents on their way to the House. An additional freshman could be added depending on the results of Rep. Mike Villarreal’s race for Mayor of San Antonio.
The partisan make-up of the House will be very similar to the 83rd Session if not the exact same. Very few of the contested races left in the general election are expected to be competitive. If the make-up remains the same, Republicans will lead Democrats 95-55.
These changes will also impact House Committees – 8 committee chairs and 5 vice-chairs will not be returning. Additionally the Ways and Means Committee will lose 5 of their 9 members in the 84th.
Senate
The Senate will be composed of at least seven freshmen next session. The number is expected to increase as Sen. Glenn Hegar (R-Katy) is projected to win his Comptroller race, and could rise even higher if Sen. Leticia Van de Putte (D-San Antonio) wins her race for Lt. Governor. If either Hegar or Van de Putte do win their higher office bids, special elections will be called by the Governor to fill their seats.
Of those seven freshmen, three will be coming from the House of Representatives, Rep. Van Taylor (R-Plano), Rep. Brandon Creighton (R-Conroe) and Rep. Charles Perry (R-Lubbock). Creighton and Perry both won special elections this interim to claim their Senate seats. Two of the new freshmen bested incumbents to claim their Senate seats. Bob Hall (R-Canton) defeated Sen. Bob Deuell (R-Greenville) and Don Huffines (R-Dallas) defeated Sen. John Carona (R-Dallas).
There are only eight Senate districts with candidates facing major party opposition in the November election. None are expected to be competitive aside from SD 10 which has Konni Burton (R-Colleyville) facing Libby Willis (D-Fort Worth) for the seat formerly held by Sen. Wendy Davis (D-Fort Worth). Davis chose not to run for reelection after deciding to run for Governor. The district leans Republican but has been held by Davis, a Democrat, since 2009.
The partisan make-up of the Senate will be determined by the SD 10 race but will look much like the 83rd session. If Burton emerges as the winner the Democrats will lose a seat and the Republicans will lead 20-11. If Willis wins the race the make-up will be identical to the 83rd with the Republicans ahead 19-12.
These changes will also impact Senate Committees – 7 chairs and 5 vice-chairs will not be returning.