The 1996 United States House of Representatives elections in Texas occurred on November 5, 1996, to elect the members of the state of Texas's delegation to the United States House of Representatives. Texas had thirty seats in the House, apportioned according to the 1990 United States census.

Quick Facts All 30 Texas seats to the United States House of Representatives, Majority party ...

1996 United States House of Representatives elections in Texas

← 1994 November 5, 1996 1998 →
All 30 Texas seats to the United States House of Representatives
Majority party Minority party   Party Democratic Republican Last election 19 11 Seats before 18 12 Seats won 17 13 Seat change 1 1 Popular vote 2,206,346 2,604,389 Percentage 44.8% 52.9% Swing 2.7% 2.8%
Democratic   50–60%   60–70%   70–80%   80–90% Republican   50–60%   60–70%   70–80%   80–90%

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Texas underwent mid-decade redistricting as a result of the Supreme Court case Bush v. Vera. The court had ruled that districts such as District 18 and District 30 were racially gerrymandered.^[1] A prior district court decision had voided the results of the primary elections in 13 districts, which the Supreme Court upheld. These districts instead conducted special elections concurrent with the general elections.^[2][3]

These elections occurred simultaneously with the United States Senate elections of 1996, the United States House elections in other states, and various state and local elections.

Texas Democrats maintained their majority in Texas' congressional delegation, albeit reduced by two seats from 1994. These elections produced an unusually high level of turnover due to the retirements of several representatives.^[3]

Incumbent Democrat Jim Chapman opted to retire rather than run for re-election.

Incumbent Democrat Charlie Wilson opted to retire rather than run for re-election.

Incumbent Republican Sam Johnson ran for re-election. The 3rd district was among thirteen districts holding a special election on November 5, the same day as the general election. The race pitted all certified candidates against one another in each district, regardless of party.

Quick Facts Nominee, Party ...

1996 Texas's 4th congressional district election

← 1994 1998 →

Nominee Ralph Hall Jerry Ray Hall Party Democratic Republican Popular vote 132,126 71,065 Percentage 63.8% 34.3%

County results R. Hall:      50–60%      60–70%      70–80% J. Hall:      50–60%

U.S. Representative before election Ralph Hall Democratic Elected U.S. Representative Ralph Hall Democratic

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Incumbent Democrat Ralph Hall ran for re-election.

Incumbent Democrat John Wiley Bryant retired to run for U.S. Senator.^[7] The 5th district was among thirteen districts holding a special election on November 5, the same day as the general election. The race pitted all certified candidates against one another in each district, regardless of party.

Incumbent Republican Joe Barton ran for re-election. The 6th district was among thirteen districts holding a special election on November 5, the same day as the general election. The race pitted all certified candidates against one another in each district, regardless of party.

Incumbent Republican Bill Archer ran for re-election. The 7th district was among thirteen districts holding a special election on November 5, the same day as the general election. The race pitted all certified candidates against one another in each district, regardless of party.

Quick Facts Candidate, Party ...

1996 Texas's 8th congressional district election

← 1994 1998 →

Candidate Kevin Brady Gene Fontenot Party Republican Republican First round 80,325 41.5% 75,399 38.9% Runoff 30,366 59.1% 21,004 40.9%   Candidate CJ Newman Robert Musemeche Party Democratic Democratic First round 26,246 13.6% 11,689 6.0% Runoff Eliminated Eliminated

First round county results Runoff county results Brady:      40–50%      50–60%      60–70% Fontenot:      40–50%

U.S. Representative before election Jack Fields Republican Elected U.S. Representative Kevin Brady Republican

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Incumbent Republican Jack Fields opted to retire rather than run for re-election.^[8] The 8th district was among thirteen districts holding a special election on November 5, the same day as the general election. The race pitted all certified candidates against one another in each district, regardless of party.

No candidate received a majority of the vote, so a runoff was held on December 10.

Quick Facts Candidate, Party ...

1996 Texas's 9th congressional district election

← 1994 1998 →

Candidate Nick Lampson Steve Stockman Party Democratic Republican First round 83,782 44.1% 88,171 46.4% Runoff 59,225 52.8% 52,870 47.2%   Candidate Geraldine Sam Party Democratic First round 17,887 9.4% Runoff Eliminated

First round county results Runoff county results Lampson:      50–60% Stockman:      40–50%      60–70%

U.S. Representative before election Steve Stockman Republican Elected U.S. Representative Nick Lampson Democratic

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Incumbent Republican Steve Stockman ran for re-election. The 9th district was among thirteen districts holding a special election on November 5, the same day as the general election. The race pitted all certified candidates against one another in each district, regardless of party.

No candidate received a majority of the vote, so a runoff was held on December 10. Stockman lost reelection by 5.66% to Democratic challenger Nick Lampson.

Incumbent Democrat Lloyd Doggett ran for re-election. He won against Republican candidate Teresa Doggett, to whom he has no relation.

Incumbent Democrat Chet Edwards ran for re-election.

Quick Facts Nominee, Party ...

1996 Texas's 12th congressional district election

← 1994 1998 →

Nominee Kay Granger Hugh Parmer Party Republican Democratic Popular vote 98,349 69,859 Percentage 57.8% 41.0%

County results Granger:      50–60%      60–70%

U.S. Representative before election Pete Geren Democratic Elected U.S. Representative Kay Granger Republican

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Incumbent Democrat Pete Geren opted to retire rather than run for re-election.^[9]

Incumbent Republican Mac Thornberry ran for re-election.

Incumbent Democrat Greg Laughlin switched his party affiliation to the Republican Party on June 26, 1995.^[10] He was defeated in the Republican Primary by former U.S. Representative Ron Paul.^[11]

Incumbent Democrat Kika de la Garza opted to retire rather than run for re-election.^[12]

Incumbent Democrat Ronald D. Coleman opted to retire rather than run for re-election.^[13]

Quick Facts Nominee, Party ...

1996 Texas's 17th congressional district election

← 1994 1998 →

Nominee Charles Stenholm Rudy Izzard Party Democratic Republican Popular vote 99,678 91,429 Percentage 51.7% 47.4%

County results Stenholm:      40–50%      50–60%      60–70%      70–80% Izzard:      50–60%

U.S. Representative before election Charles Stenholm Democratic Elected U.S. Representative Charles Stenholm Democratic

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Incumbent Democrat Charles Stenholm ran for re-election.

Incumbent Democrat Sheila Jackson Lee ran for re-election. The 18th district was among thirteen districts holding a special election on November 5, the same day as the general election. The race pitted all certified candidates against one another in each district, regardless of party.

Incumbent Republican Larry Combest ran for re-election.

Incumbent Democrat Henry B. González ran for re-election.

Incumbent Republican Lamar Smith ran for re-election.

Incumbent Republican Tom DeLay ran for re-election. The 22nd district was among thirteen districts holding a special election on November 5, the same day as the general election. The race pitted all certified candidates against one another in each district, regardless of party.

Incumbent Republican Henry Bonilla ran for re-election.

Incumbent Democrat Martin Frost ran for re-election. The 24th district was among thirteen districts holding a special election on November 5, the same day as the general election. The race pitted all certified candidates against one another in each district, regardless of party.

Incumbent Democrat Ken Bentsen ran for re-election. The 25th district was among thirteen districts holding a special election on November 5, the same day as the general election. The race pitted all certified candidates against one another in each district, regardless of party.

No candidate received a majority of the vote, so a runoff was held on December 10.

Incumbent Republican Dick Armey ran for re-election. The 26th district was among thirteen districts holding a special election on November 5, the same day as the general election. The race pitted all certified candidates against one another in each district, regardless of party.

Incumbent Democrat Solomon Ortiz ran for re-election.

Incumbent Democrat Frank Tejeda ran for re-election.

Incumbent Democrat Gene Green ran for re-election. The 29th district was among thirteen districts holding a special election on November 5, the same day as the general election. The race pitted all certified candidates against one another in each district, regardless of party.

Incumbent Democrat Eddie Bernice Johnson ran for re-election. The 30th district was among thirteen districts holding a special election on November 5, the same day as the general election. The race pitted all certified candidates against one another in each district, regardless of party.

*Includes one write-in vote