Why is Texas’ Voting History so Weird?

Did you know that before 1980, Texas primarily voted Democrat? One presidential candidate was able to sway the state... Let me explain.

Texas Voting Pre-1980

According to ballotpedia.org, from 1900 to 1976, Texas only voted for four Republican presidents:

• Herbert Hoover in 1928
  • Received 444 electoral votes against Democratic nominee Al Smith
• Dwight D. Eisenhower in 1952
  • Ike received 442 electoral votes versus the 89 votes for Democratic opponent Adlai Stevenson II
• Eisenhower once again in 1956
  • This time, the electoral votes favored Eisenhower 457 to 73 against Stevenson
• Richard Nixon in 1972
  • In a sweeping victory, Nixon carried 49 states with 520 electoral votes. Opponent George McGovern never stood a chance

1976 was the last year that Texas voted blue. In the heated race between Democrat Jimmy Carter and Republican Gerald Ford, many Americans were frustrated with the recent Watergate Scandal and were ready to move on to a different direction.

This race was VERY close. Although Jimmy Carter had 297 electoral votes to Ford's 240, Gerald Ford still carried 27 states: four more than Carter.

Texas Voting History from 1980

The infamous Ronald Reagan began his first term following a win in the 1980 U.S. Presidential Election. This was the first election of a 44-year-long chain where Texas voted red (1980-2024).

In a clear victory against Democrat Jimmy Carter, Reagan received 489 electoral votes while carrying 44 states to win the presidency.

This was also the year that the Bush name first appeared on presidential ballots. George H. W. Bush served as Reagan's running mate in 1980 before becoming president himself in 1989.

Texas' streak of voting red continues as the Lone Star State voted for Republican Nominee Donald Trump for his second term (non-consecutive) in the 2024 election.