No current or former Texas politician has announced a campaign for the 2024 presidential race. If that trend holds, it would be the first time since 1972 — and just the second time since 1952 — that a Texan hasn't competed in a presidential primary or been on a major party's White House ticket.
A look at candidates from the state through the years:
2024: ???
2020: Democratic former Rep. Beto O'Rourke; Democratic former San Antonio Mayor Julián Castro
2016: Republican Sen. Ted Cruz; Republican former Gov. Rick Perry
2012: Perry; Republican Rep. Ron Paul
2008: Paul
2004: Republican President George W. Bush was reelected
2000: Gov. George W. Bush won the presidency
1996: Republican Sen. Phil Gramm; Texas businessman Ross Perot was the Reform Party presidential nominee
1992: Republican President George H.W. Bush was defeated for reelection; Perot ran as an independent
1988: Vice President George H.W. Bush won the presidency; Paul was the Libertarian Party presidential nominee; Sen. Lloyd Bentsen was the Democratic vice presidential nominee
1984: Republican Vice President George H.W. Bush won reelection
1980: Former Rep. George H.W. Bush was GOP vice presidential nominee; former Democratic Gov. John Connally ran in the Republican primary
1976: Bentsen
1972: None
1968: President Lyndon B. Johnson declined to seek reelection but was on Democratic primary ballots in early voting states.
1964: Johnson was reelected as president
1960: Johnson was the Democratic vice presidential nominee
1956: Johnson
1952: None
