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Democrats had an absolute banner night on Tuesday, winning elections across the country, but nowhere more than in the Deep South. Democrats didn’t just change the Texas political landscape — they shattered 30 years of Republican governance, leaving the state with just one statewide elected official: Senator Ted Cruz. Democrat James Talarico won his Senate seat by over 18 points over Ken Paxton, and Democrat Gina Hinojosa evicted Greg Abbott from the Governor’s Mansion in a similarly strong fashion.
This was a watershed moment for Texas politics, and goals that seemed out of reach a week ago suddenly appear attainable. One of those is legalizing sports betting, which now has new life in the second most populous state in the country.
Lt. Governor’s ouster makes legal sports betting a possibility
Along with voters rejecting former Attorney General Ken Paxton and Governor Greg Abbott, they also voted to give Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick his walking papers. Patrick was virulently anti-gambling, saying before the 2021 legislative session that a legal gambling bill would not “see the light of day.”
His replacement, Vikki Goodwin, previously supported sports betting legislation as a state representative.
And she will have allies in the state house.
With Democrat Nathan Johnson assuming the role of Texas Attorney General in January, the tea leaves predict a wide policy shift. Johnson is a staunch supporter of legal casinos and sports wagering, having introduced SJR 82 earlier this year, which would have amended the state constitution to permit destination resorts and sports betting.
Democrats also secured a majority in the Texas House, but Republicans maintained control of the Senate.
Legalization in Texas requires two-thirds of each chamber
Legalizing sports betting in Texas requires amending the state constitution, so two-thirds of each legislative chamber must support the legislation. If approved and adopted, voters would then decide the measure in a ballot referendum.
Republicans hold 19 Senate seats to the Democrats’ 12, so achieving a two-thirds majority would mean a bipartisan coalition. It’s an uphill climb, but the odds are stronger than ever that the Lone Star State joins the sports betting fold.
