Candidates interested in running in the special election for Texas State Senate District 14 have until May 13, 2020, to file. The special general election is scheduled for July 14, 2020.
Due to the coronavirus pandemic, Governor Greg Abbott (R) scheduled the election for July instead of May 2, when it would normally have been held.
The special election was called after Kirk Watson (D) left office on April 30 to become the dean of the University of Houston’s Hobby School of Public Affairs. Watson served from 2007 to 2020.
As of May 2020, 43 state legislative special elections have been scheduled for 2020 in 20 states. Between 2011 and 2019, an average of 77 special elections took place each year. Texas held 32 state legislative special elections from 2010 to 2019.
Entering the 2020 election year, the Texas State Senate has 11 Democrats, 19 Republicans, and one vacancy. A majority in the chamber requires 16 seats. Texas has a Republican state government trifecta. A trifecta exists when one political party simultaneously holds the governor’s office and majorities in both state legislative chambers.
Additional reading:
State legislative special elections, 2020
Ballot access requirements for political candidates in Texas
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