(Texas Scorecard) – The Texas Senate is on track to see a significant shakeup next session, with four senators already announcing they won’t be returning—setting the stage for a wave of races and shifting political dynamics in the upper chamber.
The first domino fell in April, when State Sen. Mayes Middleton (R–Galveston) declared his candidacy for attorney general, leaving his seat open after just one term. While Middleton will have to give up his Senate position to pursue statewide office, another Republican senator vying for the same job—Joan Huffman (R–Houston)—will not. Huffman, who chairs the Senate Finance Committee, isn’t up for re-election until 2028, allowing her a free ride as she enters the attorney general race.
State Rep. Dennis Paul (R–Houston) was quick to announce his campaign for Middleton’s seat.
State Sen. Robert Nichols (R–Jacksonville), one of the longest-serving members of the Senate, has also announced he won’t be seeking re-election. Nichols has represented East Texas in the chamber since 2007. His retirement has prompted early interest in the seat, with both State Rep. Trent Ashby (R–Lufkin) and State Republican Executive Committee member Rhonda Ward launching campaigns to succeed him.
Another vacancy came even sooner. With State Sen. Kelly Hancock (R–North Richland Hills) having stepped down early to serve as acting comptroller, a special election has been set for November to fill the remainder of his term. Republican activist Leigh Wambsganss and Democrat Taylor Rehmet have both launched campaigns for the seat.
And just this week, State Sen. Brian Birdwell (R–Granbury) became the latest to bow out, announcing he would not seek re-election after more than 15 years in office. State Rep. David Cook (R–Mansfield), who was recently the Republican Caucus’ nominee for House speaker, has entered the race for Birdwell’s seat.
Notably, some candidates have already received the endorsement of Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick, including Dennis Paul in the race to succeed Middleton and Leigh Wambsganss in the special election to replace Hancock.