Author:
Kris Seago
Subject:
Political Science
Material Type:
Module
Level:
Community College / Lower Division
Tags:
  • Composition
  • Gender
  • Legislature
  • Race
  • Texas
  • License:
    Creative Commons Attribution Share Alike
    Language:
    English
    Media Formats:
    Graphics/Photos, Text/HTML

    Composition

    Composition

    Overview

    This section discusses the composition of the Texas State Legislature.

    Learning Objectives

    By the end of this section, students will be able to:

    • Understand the partisan make up of the Texas State Legislature
    • Understand the gender makeup of the Texas State Legislature
    • Understand the racial makeup of the Texas State Legislature

    By the end of this section, you will be able to:

    • Understand the partisan make up of the Texas State Legislature
    • Understand the gender makeup of the Texas State Legislature
    • Understand the racial makeup of the Texas State Legislature

    Pale, Male, and Stale

    Pale, Male, and Stale

    It’s often been said the Texas State Legislature is “pale, male, and stale.” This may not be quite as accurate as in the past, but the Texas State Legislature is prodominantly white, male, and middle aged.

    Partisan Compostion

    Partisan composition

    The Republican Party controls both the Texas State House of Representatives  and the Texas State Senate:

    • The Texas State House of Representatives currently has 93 Republicans, 56 Democrats, and one vacancy.
    • The Texas State Senate currently has 20 Republicans and 11 Democrats

    Gender Composition

    Gender composition

    The Texas State Legislature is predominantly male.

    • Approximately 81% of the Texas State House of Representatives is male (121 males, 29 females)
    • Approximately 74% of the Texas State Senate is male (23 males, 8 females)
    • Take together, almost 80% of the total membership of the Texas State Legislature is male (144 of 181 total members

    Racial Composition

    Racial composition

    Approximately two-thirds of the Texas State Legislature is white.

    The 84th Legislature (beginning 2015) was composed as follows:

    • 115 White members
    • 41 Hispanic members
    • 19 African-American members
    • 3 Asian members