2014 United States Senate election in Texas

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. Since no Democratic candidate received over 50% in the first round of the primary, a runoff election was required on May 27, 2014. David Alameel, who came in first in the primary, won the runoff and became his party's nominee. In the general election, Cornyn defeated Alameel in a landslide.

2014 United States Senate election in Texas

← 2008 November 4, 2014 2020 →
Turnout	33.1%
Nominee John Cornyn David Alameel Party Republican Democratic Popular vote 2,861,531 1,597,387 Percentage 61.6% 34.4%
County results Cornyn:      40–50%      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%      80–90%      >90% Alameel:      40–50%      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%
Precinct results Cornyn:      40–50%      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%      80–90%      >90% Alameel:      40–50%      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%      80–90%      >90%      No data Tie:      40–50%      50%
U.S. senator before election John Cornyn Republican Elected U.S. Senator John Cornyn Republican

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.

Candidates

Declared

• Curt Cleaver, hotel industry consultant and candidate for the U.S. Senate in 2012^[2]
• Ken Cope, aerospace executive and retired United States Army Lieutenant Colonel^[2]
• John Cornyn, incumbent U.S. Senator^[3]
• Chris Mapp, businessman^[4]
• Reid Reasor, Tea Party activist^[5]
• Steve Stockman, U.S. Representative^[6]
• Dwayne Stovall, bridge construction contractor, school board member from Cleveland and candidate for the State House of Representatives in 2012^[7]
• Linda Vega, attorney and immigration activist^[8]

Withdrew

• Erick Wyatt, U.S. Army veteran^[9]

Declined

• Greg Abbott, Texas Attorney General (running for Governor)^[10]
• David Barton, author, minister and former vice chair of the Republican Party of Texas^[11]
• David Dewhurst, Lieutenant Governor of Texas (running for re-election)^[12][13]
• Louie Gohmert, U.S. Representative (running for re-election)^[14]
• Debra Medina, activist and candidate for Governor in 2010 (ran for Comptroller of Public Accounts)^[15]

Endorsements

John Cornyn

Individuals

• Kay Granger, U.S. Representative^[16]
• Rick Perry, Governor of Texas^[17]
• Karl Rove, Republican campaign consultant; appeared with Cornyn in rally in Longview^[18]
• 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^[19]

Organizations

• Texas Right to Life PAC^[20]
• United States Chamber of Commerce^[21]

Steve Stockman

Individuals

• Jerome Corsi, historian and journalist^[22]

Organizations

• Revolution PAC^[23]
• Gun Owners of America^[24]

Linda Vega

Individuals

• Erick Wyatt, former candidate for the U.S. Senate^[25]

Declined to endorse

Individuals

• Greg Abbott, Texas Attorney General
• Ted Cruz, U.S. Senator
• Blake Farenthold, U.S. Representative^[26]
• Louie Gohmert, U.S. Representative
• Ralph Hall, U.S. Representative^[26]
• Ted Nugent, musician and conservative activist
• Kenny Marchant, U.S. Representative

Organizations

• Club for Growth

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
Public Policy Polling	November 1–4, 2013	388	± 4.4%	—	—	41%	—	—	18%	—	—	—	44%
Wilson Perkins Allen	December 13, 2013	762	± 3.6%	—	—	50%	—	—	6%	—	—	5%	39%
Gravis Marketing	February 10–12, 2014	729	± 3.6%	—	—	43%	—	—	28%	—	—	—	29%
UoT/Texas Tribune	February 7–17, 2014	461	± 4.56%	1%	4%	62%	3%	3%	16%	4%	7%	—	—

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

Hypothetical polling

Poll source	Date(s) administered	Sample size	Margin of error	John Cornyn	Dwayne Stovall	Erick Wyatt	Undecided
UoT/Texas Tribune	October 18–27, 2013	519	± 5.02%	39%	7%	6%	48%

Poll source	Date(s) administered	Sample size	Margin of error	John Cornyn	David Barton	Rafael Cruz	Louie Gohmert	Ron Paul	Rick Perry	Steve Stockman	Undecided
UoT/Texas Tribune	October 18–27, 2013	519	± 5.02%	25%	—	41%	—	18%	—	3%	13%
35%	—	—	—	—	46%	—	20%
34%	—	—	—	44%	—	—	22%
40%	—	—	31%	—	—	—	29%
39%	—	33%	—	—	—	—	28%
Public Policy Polling	November 1–4, 2013	388	± 4.4%	51%	18%	—	—	—	—	—	31%

Results

Republican primary results^[6]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Republican	John Cornyn (incumbent)	781,259	59.43%
	Republican	Steve Stockman	251,577	19.13%
	Republican	Dwayne Stovall	140,794	10.71%
	Republican	Linda Vega	50,057	3.80%
	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	0.94%
Total votes			1,314,556	100.00%

Because Cornyn surpassed a majority in the primary, he faced no runoff election.^[27] 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.^[28]

Democratic primary

Candidates

Declared

• David Alameel, businessman and candidate for Texas's 33rd congressional district in 2012^[29]
• Michael Fjetland, businessman, Independent candidate for Texas's 22nd congressional district in 2004 and Republican candidate for the seat in 2006^[30]
• HyeTae "Harry" Kim, physician^[29]
• Kesha Rogers, Worldwide LaRouche Youth Movement activist and nominee for Texas's 22nd congressional district in 2010 and 2012^[31]
• Maxey Scherr, attorney^[32]

Declined

• Wendy Davis, state senator (running for governor)^[33]
• Bill White, former mayor of Houston and nominee for governor in 2010^[34]

Endorsements

David Alameel

Individuals

• Roberto Alonzo, state representative^[35]
• John Wiley Bryant, former U.S. Representative (TX-05)^[35]
• Wendy Davis, State Senator and candidate for Governor^[36]
• Yvonne Davis, state representative^[35]
• Ryan Guillen, state representative^[35]
• Joe Pickett, state representative^[35]
• Ciro Rodriguez, former U.S. Representative (TX-23)^[35]
• Rosa Rosales, former national president of LULAC^[35]
• Chris Turner^[35]
• Carlos Uresti, state senator^[35]
• Leticia Van de Putte, State Senator and nominee for Lieutenant Governor^[35]
• Marc Veasey, U.S. Representative (TX-33)^[35]

Organizations

• Bexar County African-American Political Alliance^[35]
• Bexar County Northside Coalition of Women^[35]
• Bexar County Mexican American Democrats^[35]
• Bexar County Second Chance Democrats^[35]
• Bexar County Tejano Democrats^[35]
• Bexar County Young Tejano Democrats^[35]
• Hispanic Women for Better Justice^[35]
• Houston GLBT Political Caucus^[35]
• Mexican American Democrats of Texas, San Antonio Chapter^[35]
• Texas Young Democrats Women's Caucus^[35]

Media

• The Beaumont Enterprise^[35]
• The Dallas Morning News^[35]
• Fort Worth Star-Telegram^[35]
• The Houston Chronicle^[35]

Michael Fjetland

Media

• Texpatriate^[37]

Kesha Rogers

Organizations

• Doctors Against Murderous Obamacare^[38]

Maxey Scherr

Individuals

• Carol Alvarado, state representative^[39]
• John Cook, former Mayor of El Paso and nominee for Land Commissioner^[39]
• Veronica Escobar, El Paso County Judge^[39]
• David Langston, former Mayor of Lubbock^[39]
• Sergio Lewis, El Paso County Commissioner^[39]
• Marisa Marquez, state representative^[39]
• Joe Moody, state representative^[40]
• Beto O'Rourke, U.S. Representative (TX-16)^[39]
• Barbara Ann Radnofsky, nominee for U.S. Senate in 2006 and for Attorney General in 2010^[39]
• Silvestre Reyes, former U.S. Representative^[40]
• José R. Rodríguez, state senator^[40]
• Eliot Shapleigh, former state senator^[39]
• Armando Walle, state representative^[39]

Organizations

• Amalgamated Transit Union Local 694^[39]
• American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) Local 59^[39]
• Austin Environmental Democrats^[39]
• Austin North by Northwest (NxNW) Democrats^[39]
• Austin Progressive Coalition^[39]
• Austin Stonewall Democrats^[39]
• Austin Young Democrats^[39]
• Bay Area New Democrats (BAND)^[39]
• Capital Area Asian American Democrats^[39]
• Central Austin Democrats^[39]
• Democracy for Houston^[39]
• El Paso Black Democrats^[39]
• El Paso Central Labor Union^[39]
• El Paso West Side Democrats^[39]
• Galveston Democratic Coalition^[39]
• International Association of Fire Fighters Local 51^[39]
• NE Travis County Democrats^[39]
• San Antonio Stonewall Democrats^[39]
• South East Texas Stonewall Democrats^[39]
• State Tejano Democrats^[39]
• Texas Womans Coalition^[39]
• University Democrats (UDems)^[39]
• University of Houston Democrats^[39]

Media

• The Austin Chronicle^[39]
• Burnt Orange Report^[41]
• Jewish Herald-Voice^[39]
• Lubbock Avalanche-Journal^[39]
• San Antonio Express-News^[39]

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^[42]

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	4.80%
Total votes			510,009	100.00%

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.^[43]

Democratic primary runoff results^[44]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	David Alameel	145,039	72.16%
	Democratic	Kesha Rogers	55,953	27.84%
Total votes			200,992	100.00%

Libertarian convention

Candidates

Declared

• Rebecca Paddock, electrical engineer^[45]
• Tanuja Paruchuri, holistic wellness coach^[45]
• Jon Roland, computer programmer and nominee for Texas Attorney General in 2002, 2006 and 2010^[45]

Results

Rebecca Paddock won the nomination.

Green nomination

Candidates

Declared

• Emily Marie Sanchez^[46]

Results

Sanchez won the nomination.

General election

Debates

• Compete video of debate, October 24, 2014

Predictions

Source	Ranking	As of
The Cook Political Report^[47]	Solid R	November 3, 2014
Sabato's Crystal Ball^[48]	Safe R	November 3, 2014
Rothenberg Political Report^[49]	Safe R	November 3, 2014
Real Clear Politics^[50]	Safe R	November 3, 2014

Polling

Poll source	Date(s) administered	Sample size	Margin of error	John Cornyn (R)	David Alameel (D)	Other	Undecided
Public Policy Polling	April 10–13, 2014	559	± 4.1%	49%	32%	—	20%
UoT/Texas Tribune	May 30 – June 8, 2014	1,200	± 2.83%	36%	25%	13%^[51]	26%
CBS News/NYT/YouGov	July 5–24, 2014	4,353	± 3.7%	52%	35%	3%	10%
Rasmussen Reports	August 4–5, 2014	4,353	± 3.0%	47%	29%	6%	19%
CBS News/NYT/YouGov	August 18 – September 2, 2014	4,189	± 2%	55%	39%	3%	8%
Texas Lyceum^[permanent dead link]	September 11–25, 2014	666	± 3.8%	48%	30%	8%^[52]	14%
CBS News/NYT/YouGov	September 20 – October 1, 2014	4,177	± 2%	55%	35%	1%	9%
Rasmussen Reports	October 1–2, 2014	840	± 3.5%	50%	29%	6%	15%
UoT/Texas Tribune	October 10–19, 2014	866	± 3.6%	57%	31%	12%^[53]	—
CBS News/NYT/YouGov	October 16–23, 2014	3,987	± 3%	57%	35%	1%	8%

Hypothetical polling

With Castro

Poll source	Date(s) administered	Sample size	Margin of error	John Cornyn (R)	Julian Castro (D)	Undecided
Public Policy Polling	January 24–27, 2012	500	± 4.4%	48%	41%	11%
Public Policy Polling	June 28 – July 1, 2013	500	± 4.4%	50%	37%	13%
Public Policy Polling	November 1–4, 2013	500	± 4.4%	49%	35%	17%

Poll source	Date(s) administered	Sample size	Margin of error	Louie Gohmert (R)	Julian Castro (D)	Undecided
Public Policy Polling	November 1–4, 2013	500	± 4.4%	44%	35%	21%

With Davis

Poll source	Date(s) administered	Sample size	Margin of error	John Cornyn (R)	Wendy Davis (D)	Undecided
Public Policy Polling	January 24–27, 2012	500	± 4.4%	48%	37%	14%
Public Policy Polling	June 28 – July 1, 2013	500	± 4.4%	48%	40%	12%

With Parker

Poll source	Date(s) administered	Sample size	Margin of error	John Cornyn (R)	Annise Parker (D)	Undecided
Public Policy Polling	January 24–27, 2012	500	± 4.4%	47%	36%	16%
Public Policy Polling	June 28 – July 1, 2013	500	± 4.4%	49%	36%	15%

With White

Poll source	Date(s) administered	Sample size	Margin of error	John Cornyn (R)	Bill White (D)	Undecided
Public Policy Polling	January 24–27, 2012	500	± 4.4%	45%	42%	13%
Public Policy Polling	June 28 – July 1, 2013	500	± 4.4%	47%	40%	13%
Public Policy Polling	November 1–4, 2013	500	± 4.4%	44%	39%	17%

Poll source	Date(s) administered	Sample size	Margin of error	Louie Gohmert (R)	Bill White (D)	Undecided
Public Policy Polling	November 1–4, 2013	500	± 4.4%	40%	39%	21%

Results

2014 United States Senate election in Texas^[54]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%
	Republican	John Cornyn (incumbent)	2,861,531	61.56%	+6.74%
	Democratic	David Alameel	1,597,387	34.36%	-8.48%
	Libertarian	Rebecca Paddock	133,751	2.88%	+0.54%
	Green	Emily Sanchez	54,701	1.18%	N/A
	Independent	Mohammed Tahiro (write-in)	998	0.02%	N/A
Total votes			4,648,358	100.0%	N/A
	Republican hold

See also

• 2014 United States Senate elections
• 2014 United States elections
• 2014 United States House of Representatives elections in Texas
• 2014 Texas gubernatorial election

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. Tinsley, Anna M. (December 9, 2013). . Roll Call. Archived from the original on December 12, 2013. Retrieved December 9, 2013.
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9. Krehbiel, Randy. "Hope springs eternal in U.S. Senate primaries". tulsaworld.com. Tulsa World. Retrieved February 8, 2020.
10. Reilly, Molly (July 14, 2013). "Greg Abbott Launches Texas Governor Campaign For 2014". huffpost.com. Verizon Media. Retrieved February 9, 2020.
11. Kopan, Tal. "David Barton won't run against John Cornyn". Politico. Retrieved November 6, 2013.
12. 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.
13. . KTRK-TV Houston. Associated Press. August 7, 2013. Archived from the original on September 11, 2013. Retrieved August 9, 2013.
14. Burka, Paul (August 8, 2013). "Gohmert v. Cornyn". Texas Monthly. Retrieved August 9, 2013.
15. "Latinas Will Be Front And Center In Races For Top Political Posts In Texas Next Year". foxnews.com. FOX News Network, LLC. December 21, 2016. Retrieved February 9, 2020.
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22. Tashman, Brian (March 5, 2014). "Stockman: 'We Have The Skill Set To Win Again, So We'll Be Back'". rightwingwatch.com. Right Wing Watch, a project of People For the American Way. Retrieved February 9, 2020.
23. "Rep. Steve Stockman MIA?". politico.com. Politico, LLC. Retrieved February 9, 2020.
24. Swartsell, Nick (December 18, 2013). "NRA backs Cornyn; another gun group supports Stockman in Senate race | Dallas Morning News". Dallasnews.com. Retrieved July 25, 2014.
25. "Erick Wyatt Withdraws from US Senate Race". Facebook. November 25, 2013. Retrieved December 5, 2013.
26. 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.
27. McCormick, John (March 5, 2014). "Republican Cornyn Wins Primary in Texas Over Tea Party Foe". bloomberg.com. Retrieved March 6, 2014.
28. Ostermeier, Eric (March 5, 2014). "Cornyn Records Weakest Ever Primary Win for Texas GOP US Senator". Smart Politics.
29. 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.
30. "Republican turned Democrat runs for Cornyn's Senate seat". blog.chron.com. November 22, 2013. Retrieved November 24, 2013.
31. Swartsell, Nick (December 6, 2013). "Anti-Obama Democrat Kesha Rogers files for U.S. Senate". The Dallas Morning News. Retrieved December 8, 2013.
32. "Democratic Candidates". Texpatriate. October 28, 2013. Retrieved October 28, 2013.
33. Catherine Thompson (August 5, 2013). "Texas governor race 2014: Wendy Davis: I will run for reelection or governor". Politico. Retrieved August 6, 2013.
34. "Bill White says Texas lagging in skilled jobs". Houston Chronicle. February 28, 2013. Retrieved July 9, 2013.
35. . David Alameel for U.S. Senate. Archived from the original on February 21, 2014. Retrieved February 19, 2014.
36. Swartsell, Nick (January 13, 2014). "Wendy Davis endorses David Alameel for U.S. Senate". The Dallas Morning News. Retrieved January 20, 2014.
37. "Texpatriate endorses in US Senate Democratic primary". Texpatriate. February 13, 2014. Retrieved February 19, 2014.
38. Overton, Ian (February 13, 2014). . Kesha Rogers for U.S. Senate. Archived from the original on February 21, 2014. Retrieved February 19, 2014.
39. . Maxey Scherr for U.S. Senate. Archived from the original on February 21, 2014. Retrieved February 19, 2014.
40. Kuffner, Charles (December 6, 2013). "Maxey Scherr kicks off her campaign". Off the Kuff. Retrieved December 8, 2013.
41. . Burnt Orange Report. February 19, 2014. Archived from the original on February 27, 2014. Retrieved February 19, 2014.
42. . Archived from the original on January 9, 2014.
43. Weissert, Will (March 5, 2014). . abcnews.go.com. ABC News. Archived from the original on March 17, 2014. Retrieved March 6, 2014.
44. "Texas - Summary Vote Results". Associated Press. May 28, 2014. Retrieved May 29, 2014.
45. . Libertarian Party of Texas. Archived from the original on December 15, 2013. Retrieved December 9, 2013.
46. . Green Party. December 10, 2013. Archived from the original on February 1, 2014. Retrieved January 29, 2014.
47. "2014 Senate Race Ratings for November 3, 2014". The Cook Political Report. Retrieved September 20, 2018.
48. "The Crystal Ball's Final 2014 Picks". Sabato's Crystal Ball. Retrieved September 20, 2018.
49. "2014 Senate Ratings". Senate Ratings. The Rothenberg Political Report. Retrieved September 20, 2018.
50. "2014 Elections Map - Battle for the Senate 2014". Real Clear Politics. Retrieved September 20, 2018.
51. Rebecca Paddock (L) 5%, Emily Marie Sanchez (G) 3%, Other 5%
52. Rebecca Paddock (L) 4%, Emily Marie Sanchez (G) 4%
53. Rebecca Paddock (L) 7%, Emily Marie Sanchez (G) 5%
54. Race Summary Report. 2014 General Election Office of the Secretary of State. Retrieved January 14, 2023

External links

Official campaign websites (Archived)

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