The GOP flipped Texas House District 118 from the Democrats last night, electing Republican John Lujan, marking the third change in party by the GOP in state House special elections in 2021.
Just one year ago, Joe Biden won the district by 14 points.
“The RSLC was proud to support John Lujan in this race and we congratulate him and all our partners in Texas for their continued success in recent key legislative elections,” said Republican State Leadership Committee President Dee Duncan.
Republican John Lujan has defeated Democrat Frank Ramirez for House District 118, flipping a Texas House district previously held by Democrat Leo Pacheco. https://t.co/IZnNHLEtNe
— KENS 5 (@KENS5) November 3, 2021
The Republican State Leadership Committee recruits and elects candidates to state legislatures and to the offices of lieutenant governor, secretary of state, and statewide agriculture officials, according to the organization’s website.
In August, Republican Ryan Fazio defeated liberal Democrat Alex Gevanter in Connecticut’s state Senate District 36, criticizing Gevanter’s support of a proposed gas tax on already inflation-battered voters. In the 2020 presidential election, Joe Biden won the district by more than 25%.
The GOP has had a decided advantage in state elections recently. Although Republicans lost the presidency in 2020, they maintained a solid lock on state legislatures nationwide including in the state of Texas, an important consideration as state legislatures draw Congressional maps.
“Now Texas Republicans, retaining control of the Senate and the governor’s mansion, will have total authority over the drawing of as many as 39 congressional districts in the state,” reported Politico last year.
Prior to Tuesday’s elections, which included major GOP victories in Virginia and elsewhere, Republicans controlled 54.11% of all state legislative seats nationally, while Democrats held 44.71%. Republicans held a majority in 61 chambers, and Democrats held the majority in 37 chambers.
