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1972 United States House of Representatives elections in Texas

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FieldValue
election_name1972 United States House of Representatives elections in Texas
countryTexas
typelegislative
ongoingno
previous_election1970 United States House of Representatives elections in Texas
previous_year1970
next_election1974 United States House of Representatives elections in Texas
next_year1974
seats_for_electionAll 24 Texas seats to the United States House of Representatives
election_dateNovember 7, 1972
party1Democratic Party (United States)
last_election1**20**
seats1**20**
seat_change1
popular_vote1**2,032,183**
percentage1**70.4%**
swing12.6%
party2Republican Party (United States)
last_election23
seats24
seat_change21
popular_vote2835,185
percentage228.9%
swing22.9%
map_image1972 Texas US House.svg
map_size300px
map_caption

Democratic Republican

The 1972 United States House of Representatives elections in Texas occurred on November 7, 1972, to elect the members of the state of Texas's delegation to the United States House of Representatives. Texas had twenty-four seats in the House, up one from the 1960s, apportioned according to the 1970 United States census.

Texas Democrats maintained their governmental trifecta after the 1970 elections. This gave the Democrats full control over the redistricting process. The Texas Legislature enacted its redistricting plan in 1971. Residents of the 6th, 13th, 16th, and 19th congressional districts challenged the constitutionality of the maps in White v. Weiser, but the Supreme Court stayed the case until after the 1972 elections.

These elections occurred simultaneously with the United States Senate elections of 1972, the United States House elections in other states, the presidential election, and various state and local elections.

Democrats maintained their majority of U.S. House seats from Texas, but Republicans gained one seat, putting their majority at twenty out of twenty-four seats. This cycle saw the election of Barbara Jordan, the first African American elected to the House from Texas, and the first African American woman ever elected to the House.

Overview

1972 United States House of Representatives elections in TexasPartyVotesPercentageSeats beforeSeats after+/–Socialist Workers Party (United States)}}; width: 3px"American Independent}}; width: 3px"
Democratic2,032,18370.42%2020-
Republican835,18528.94%34+1
Socialist Workers17,4120.60%00-
American Independent1,1690.04%00-
**Totals****2,885,949****100.00%****23****24****+1**

Congressional districts

DistrictIncumbentPartyFirst
electedResultCandidates
Wright PatmanDemocratic1928Incumbent re-elected.**√ Wright Patman** (Democratic) Unopposed
John DowdyDemocratic1952Incumbent retired.
New member elected.
Democratic hold.**√ Charles Wilson** (Democratic) 73.8%
Charles O. Brightwell (Republican) 26.2%
James M. CollinsRepublican1968Incumbent re-elected.**√ James M. Collins** (Republican) 73.3%
George A. Hughes Jr. (Democratic) 26.7%
Ray RobertsDemocratic1962Incumbent re-elected.**√ Ray Roberts** (Democratic) 70.2%
James Russell (Republican) 29.8%
Earle CabellDemocratic1964Incumbent lost re-election.
New member elected.
**Republican gain**.**√ Alan Steelman** (Republican) 55.7%
Earle Cabell (Democratic) 44.3%
Olin E. TeagueDemocratic1946Incumbent re-elected.**√ Olin E. Teague** (Democratic) 72.6%
Carl Nigliazzo (Republican) 27.4%
William Reynolds Archer Jr.Republican1970Incumbent re-elected.**√ William Reynolds Archer Jr.** (Republican) 82.3%
Jim Brady (Democratic) 17.7%
Robert C. EckhardtDemocratic1966Incumbent re-elected.**√ Robert C. Eckhardt** (Democratic) 64.6%
Lewis Emerich (Republican) 34.7%
Susan Ellis (Socialist Workers) 0.7%
Jack BrooksDemocratic1952Incumbent re-elected.**√ Jack Brooks** (Democratic) 66.2%
Randolph C. Reed (Democratic) 33.8%
J. J. PickleDemocratic1963Incumbent re-elected.**√ J. J. Pickle** (Democratic) 91.2%
Mellissa Singler (Socialist Workers) 8.8%
William R. PoageDemocratic1936Incumbent re-elected.**√ William R. Poage** (Democratic) Unopposed
Jim WrightDemocratic1954Incumbent re-elected.**√ Jim Wright** (Democratic) Unopposed
Bob Price
Redistricted from the 18th districtRepublican1966Incumbent re-elected.√ **Bob Price** (Republican) 54.8%
Graham B. Purcell Jr. (Democratic) 45.2%
Graham B. Purcell Jr.Democratic1962Incumbent lost re-election.
**Democratic loss**.
John Andrew YoungDemocratic1956Incumbent re-elected.**√ John Andrew Young** (Democratic) Unopposed
Kika de la GarzaDemocratic1964Incumbent re-elected.**√ Kika de la Garza** (Democratic) Unopposed
Richard C. WhiteDemocratic1964Incumbent re-elected.**√ Richard C. White** (Democratic) Unopposed
Omar BurlesonDemocratic1946Incumbent re-elected.**√ Omar Burleson** (Democratic) Unopposed
None (district created)New seat.
New member elected.
**Democratic gain**.**√ Barbara Jordan** (Democratic) 80.6%
Paul Merritt (Republican) 18.2%
Emmanuel Barrera (Socialist Workers) 1.2%
George H. MahonDemocratic1934Incumbent re-elected.**√ George H. Mahon** (Democratic) Unopposed
Henry B. GonzalezDemocratic1961Incumbent re-elected.**√ Henry B. Gonzalez** (Democratic) 96.9%
Steve Wattenmaker (Socialist Workers) 3.1%
O. C. FisherDemocratic1942Incumbent re-elected.**√ O. C. Fisher** (Democratic) 56.8%
Doug Harlan (Republican) 43.2%
Robert R. CaseyDemocratic1958Incumbent re-elected.**√ Robert R. Casey** (Democratic) 70.2%
Jim Griffin (Republican) 29.0%
Frank Peto (Independent) 0.8%
Abraham KazenDemocratic1966Incumbent re-elected.**√ Abraham Kazen** (Democratic) Unopposed
None (district created)New seat.
New member elected.
**Democratic gain**.**√ Dale Milford** (Democratic) 65.1%
Courtney G. Roberts (Republican) 34.9%

References

References

  1. "Historical Apportionment Data (1910-2020)".
  2. [[Texas State Historical Association]]. (1971). "Texas Almanac, 1972-1973". [[The Dallas Morning News]].
  3. Davies, David Martin. (October 19, 2021). "50 years ago, a battle over redistricting changed Texas". Texas Public Radio.
  4. "History".
  5. [[Texas State Historical Association]]. (1973). "Texas Almanac, 1974-1975". [[The Dallas Morning News]].
  6. [[Texas State Historical Association]]. (1973). "Texas Almanac, 1974-1975". [[The Dallas Morning News]].
  7. Wallis, Jay. (May 20, 2020). "Houston's Barbara Jordan became the first black woman elected into the Texas State Senate".
  8. (March 15, 1973). "Statistics of the Presidential and Congressional Election of November 7, 1972".
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