Texas Senate
In the 75th Legislative Session of 1997, control of the Texas Senate shifted from the Democrats to the Republicans. This session marked the final term under a Democratic Lieutenant Governor, Bob Bullock, who managed the Senate’s operations. It wasn’t until the next legislative session in 1999, during the 76th Legislature, that the majority of committee chairmen in the Texas Senate aligned with the new majority party.
Over the last three decades, committee vice-chairmen have typically been selected from both major political parties, with the majority party often appointing more vice-chairmen from its ranks.
Role of Texas Senate Committee Vice-Chairmen
In the Texas Senate, committee vice-chairmen are primarily responsible for assuming the duties of the chairman in the chairman’s absence, or when the chairman is otherwise unable to serve.
| Legislative Session | # of Republican Vice-Chairmen | # of Democrat Vice-Chairmen | Overall Senate Partisan Split | Lt. Governor | Governor |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 88th (2023) | 11 (73.33%) | 4 (26.67%) | 19R – 12D | Dan Patrick (R) | Greg Abbott (R) |
| 87th (2021) | 8 (53.33%) | 7 (46.67%) | 18R – 13D | Dan Patrick (R) | Greg Abbott (R) |
| 86th (2019) | 10 (62.50%) | 6 (37.50%) | 19R – 12D | Dan Patrick (R) | Greg Abbott (R) |
| 85th (2017) | 7 (50.00%) | 7 (50.00%) | 20R -11D | Dan Patrick (R) | Greg Abbott (R) |
| 84th (2015) | 7 (50.00%) | 7 (50.00%) | 20R -11D | Dan Patrick (R) | Greg Abbott (R) |
| 83rd (2013) | 11 (61.11%) | 7 (38.89%) | 19R – 11D | David Dewhurst (R) | Rick Perry (R) |
| 82nd (2011) | 12 (66.67%) | 6 (33.33%) | 19R – 12D | David Dewhurst (R) | Rick Perry (R) |
| 81st (2009) | 13 (72.22%) | 5 (27.78%) | 19R – 12D | David Dewhurst (R) | Rick Perry (R) |
| 80th (2007) | 10 (66.67%) | 5 (33.33%) | 20R -11D | David Dewhurst (R) | Rick Perry (R) |
| 79th (2005) | 9 (60.00%) | 6 (40.00%) | 19R – 12D | David Dewhurst (R) | Rick Perry (R) |
| 78th (2003) | 9 (60.00%) | 6 (40.00%) | 19R – 12D | David Dewhurst (R) | Rick Perry (R) |
| 77th (2001) | 6 (50.00%) | 6 (50.00%) | 16R – 15D | Bill Ratliff (R) | Rick Perry (R) |
| 76th (1999) | 4 (30.77%) | 9 (69.23%) | 16R – 15D | Rick Perry (R) | George W. Bush (R) |
| 75th (1997) | 7 (58.33%) | 5 (41.67%) | 16R – 14D | Bob Bullock (D) | George W. Bush (R) |
| 74th (1995) | 5 (55.56%) | 4 (44.44%) | 17D – 14R | Bob Bullock (D) | George W. Bush (R) |
| 73rd (1993) | 3 (30.00%) | 7 (70.00%) | 18D – 13R | Bob Bullock (D) | Ann Richards (D) |
| 72nd (1991) | 4 (44.44%) | 5 (55.56%) | 22D – 8R | Bob Bullock (D) | Ann Richards (D) |
*Overall Partisan Split represents the number of lawmakers from each political party at the time the legislative session began
Texas House of Representatives
In the 78th Legislative Session of 2003, control of the Texas House of Representatives shifted from the Democrats to the Republicans. This session marked the first term as Speaker of the House for State Rep. Tom Craddick (R-Midland) and when the majority of committee chairmen in the Texas House aligned with the new majority party.
Since that point, the number of Vice-Chairmen appointed from the minority party has never been as small as it was under Craddick. Texas House Speakers Joe Straus (R), Dennis Bonnen (R), and Dade Phelan (R) have all appointed a significant number of Vice-Chairmen from the minority party.
Role of Texas House Committee Vice-Chairmen
In the Texas House of Representatives, committee vice-chairmen are primarily responsible for assuming the duties of the chairman in the chairman’s absence, or when the chairman is otherwise unable to serve.
| Legislative Session | # of Republican Vice-Chairmen | # of Democrat Vice-Chairmen | Overall House Partisan Split | Speaker of the House | Governor |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 88th (2023) | 13 (38.24%) | 21 (61.76%) | 86R – 64D | Dade Phelan (R) | Greg Abbott (R) |
| 87th (2021) | 14 (41.18%) | 20 (58.82%) | 82R – 67D | Dade Phelan (R) | Greg Abbott (R) |
| 86th (2019) | 17 (50.00%) | 17 (50.00%) | 83R – 64D | Dennis Bonnen (R) | Greg Abbott (R) |
| 85th (2017) | 19 (50.00%) | 19 (50.00%) | 95R – 55D | Joe Straus (R) | Greg Abbott (R) |
| 84th (2015) | 13 (34.21%) | 25 (65.79%) | 97R – 51D | Joe Straus (R) | Greg Abbott (R) |
| 83rd (2013) | 17 (44.74%) | 21 (55.26%) | 95R – 55D | Joe Straus (R) | Rick Perry (R) |
| 82nd (2011) | 19 (51.35%) | 18 (48.65%) | 101R – 49D | Joe Straus (R) | Rick Perry (R) |
| 81st (2009) | 17 (50.00%) | 17 (50.00%) | 76R – 74D | Joe Straus (R) | Rick Perry (R) |
| 80th (2007) | 26 (65.00%) | 14 (35.00%) | 79R – 69D | Tom Craddick (R) | Rick Perry (R) |
| 79th (2005) | 33 (82.50%) | 7 (17.50%) | 86R – 64D | Tom Craddick (R) | Rick Perry (R) |
| 78th (2003) | 26 (65.00%) | 14 (35.00%) | 88R – 62D | Tom Craddick (R) | Rick Perry (R) |
| 77th (2001) | 14 (38.89%) | 22 (61.11%) | 77D – 71R | Pete Laney (D) | Rick Perry (R) |
| 76th (1999) | 11 (30.56%) | 25 (69.44%) | 78D – 72R | Pete Laney (D) | George W. Bush (R) |
| 75th (1997) | 17 (47.22%) | 19 (52.78%) | 82D – 67R | Pete Laney (D) | George W. Bush (R) |
| 74th (1995) | 17 (47.22%) | 19 (52.78%) | 88D – 61R | Pete Laney (D) | George W. Bush (R) |
| 73rd (1993) | 8 (25.81%) | 23 (74.19%) | 91D – 57R | Pete Laney (D) | Ann Richards (D) |
| 72nd (1991) | 21 (60.00%) | 14 (40.00%) | 92D – 57R | Gib Lewis (D) | Ann Richards (D) |
*Overall Partisan Split represents the number of lawmakers from each political party at the time the legislative session began
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