1996 Texas House of Representatives election

Democrats had held control of the Texas House of Representatives since Reconstruction. After the 1994 elections, Republican governor George W. Bush appointed Democratic Representative Elton Bomer of the 11th district as the state insurance commissioner.[1] In the ensuing special election, Republican Todd Staples narrowly avoided a runoff, defeating two Democrats to flip the seat.[2] Later in 1995, Representative Warren Chisum of the 88th district switched from the Democratic Party to the Republican Party.[3]

Democrats had fully controlled the redistricting process in 1991, and Republicans sued over the Texas House's map. The courts partially overhauled the map as a result of these lawsuits.[4] Democrats codified the court's map into law in a January 1992 special session.[5] The 1995 lawsuit Thomas v. Bush further altered the maps, as the courts reached a settlement with the legislature to alter the several districts in Harris, Dallas, and Bexar Counties for the 1996 elections.[4][6][7]

Despite having hopes of winning control of the chamber from the Democrats due to Texas's increasing Republican lean, Republicans only flipped five seats.[8][9]

Statewide

Summary of the November 5, 1996 Texas House of Representatives election results

Party		Candidates	Votes	%	Seats	+/–
	Democratic Party	100	2,015,951	44.18%	82	5
	Republican Party	107	2,502,499	54.84%	68	5
	Natural Law Party	8	23,023	0.50%	0	–
	Libertarian Party	9	20,619	0.45%	0	–
	Independent	1	673	0.01%	0	–
	Write-in	1	345	0.01%	0	–
Total			4,563,110	100.00%	150	–

Popular vote Republican   54.84% Democratic   44.18% Natural Law   0.50% Libertarian   0.45% Independent   0.01% Write-in   0.01%

House seats won Democratic   54.67% Republican   45.33%