Democrats had a historic night across Texas, but Smith County barely moved. Local voters kept choosing Republicans on Tuesday, from federal races all the way down to the county courthouse, even as Democrats flipped Texas statewide for the first time in 30 years.
Voters Showed Up in Big Numbers
Voters were clearly paying attention this year. On Election Day, the line outside The Hub in downtown Tyler stretched around the corner, and lines formed at 34 other polling places across the county.
By the numbers:
- 168,079 registered voters in Smith County
- 89,785 ballots cast, about 53% turnout
- 73% of those voters cast early ballots between Oct. 19 and 30
- 21,075 people voted on Election Day
That’s a 17% jump in turnout compared to 2022, the last time these same offices were on the ballot.
Statewide Blue, Locally Red
As results came in, Democrats won every statewide race in Texas and made history several times along the way. Smith County’s unofficial results, released by the county elections office, went the other way. Every Republican federal and state candidate on the ballot won more than 61% of the vote in the county.
The pattern extended into neighboring counties. In Van Zandt County, every Republican federal and state candidate topped 68%, according to its unofficial results.
GOP Chairman: Disappointed Statewide, Proud Locally
Smith County Republican Party Chairman David Stein didn’t sugarcoat the statewide results. He said they weren’t what Republicans were hoping for, and he plans to share more thoughts with the local party in the coming weeks.
He said that shouldn’t overshadow how strong the party’s showing was at home. Stein congratulated the winning candidates and said Smith County keeps proving it can lead by example with conservative leadership and common-sense values.
Familiar Names Return to Office
East Texas voters sent three Republican incumbents back to office:
- U.S. Rep. Nathaniel Moran (TX-01)
- State Sen. Bryan Hughes (R-Mineola)
- State Rep. Daniel Alders (R-Tyler)
Hughes spent a lot of time on the campaign trail in East Texas this year. Speaking at Gov. Greg Abbott’s rally stop in Lindale, he said Republican candidates kept coming back to the region because its voters share their belief in small government, free markets and capitalism.
After his win, Hughes said he was humbled to earn more than 70% of the vote. He said the seat belongs to the people he represents, not to him, and he plans to work with the newly elected officials on what’s good for Texas.
Abbott Wins Smith County but Loses the State
Gov. Greg Abbott lost to Democrat Gina Hinojosa, now Texas’ governor-elect. He still carried Smith County with 64% of the vote, though that was well below the 74% he won here against Beto O’Rourke in 2022.
Both Abbott and Attorney General Ken Paxton spent time in the area during the campaign. Abbott stopped in Smith County several times, and Paxton visited Tyler four times this year, often sharing the stage with Hughes, Moran and Alders.
Luce Takes Precinct 2
Closer to home, Republican Austin Luce won the race for Smith County Precinct 2 Commissioner, beating Democrat Dustin Stephens.
Luce said he was honored by the win and thanked his family, volunteers and supporters. He credited everyone who knocked on doors, called friends, donated, put up yard signs or shared his campaign online. He said he is ready to work with his fellow commissioners and the county judge to build the best future possible for Smith County.
Cruz Now Texas’ Lone Statewide Republican
The election leaves U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz as the only Republican in statewide elected office in Texas.
On a Nov. 5 episode of his podcast, “The Verdict with Ted Cruz,” he said Texas didn’t just see a blue wave but a blue tsunami. He called it “a Watergate-level repudiation” and blamed voter frustration over high costs for food, fuel and insurance, along with tariffs and the long-running Iran War. In his view, Texans’ frustration with the Republican Party drove the losses.
When They Take Office
All newly elected officials will be sworn in and take office in January 2027.
The Bottom Line
Texas turned blue statewide this year, but Smith County stayed firmly Republican. Turnout rose 17% from 2022, every GOP federal and state candidate won more than 61% locally, and Republicans kept their hold on the county’s seats.