# 2012 United States Senate election in Texas

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Government :
vte :
The 2012 United States Senate election in Texas was held on November 6, 2012, along with other elections to the United States Senate the United States House of Representatives in additional states. Incumbent Republican U.S. senator Kay Bailey Hutchison decided to retire instead of running for reelection to a fourth full term. This was the first open election for this seat since 1957.
Libertarian John Jay Myers was elected by nomination at the Texas Libertarian Party State Convention on June 8, 2012. After the first round of primary voting on May 29, 2012, a runoff was held on July 31, 2012, for both the Democratic Party and Republican Party. Former state representative Paul Sadler and former state solicitor general Ted Cruz respectively won the Democratic and Republican runoffs; Cruz won the general election by a wide margin.

## Background

In an interview with Texas Monthly published in December 2007, incumbent U.S. senator Kay Bailey Hutchison stated that she would not seek reelection and might also resign from the Senate as early as 2009 to run for Governor of Texas. After the 2008 elections, Hutchison formed an exploratory committee to run for the governorship in 2010. State Republican Party Chairman Cathie Adams later called upon Hutchison to clarify when she would vacate the Senate so that other Republican candidates could make preparations to run.
On December 4, 2008, Hutchison set up an exploratory committee, setting up a primary battle with incumbent Republican governor Rick Perry. Fellow Texas U.S. senator and National Republican Senatorial Committee Chairman John Cornyn tried to convince Hutchison to stay in the Senate, for fear of losing the seat to the Democrats. On January 15, 2009, Hutchison transferred nearly all the money, approximately $8 million, from her federal campaign account to her gubernatorial exploratory committee. On November 13, 2009, Hutchison announced that she would not resign from the Senate seat until after the primary on March 2, 2010.
Hutchison lost the gubernatorial primary to Perry and on March 31, 2010, she announced her intention to serve out her third term. On January 13, 2011, after some discussion about whether she would change her mind, Hutchison announced she would not seek re-election in 2012.

### Requirements for nomination

Texas requires a majority for nomination, as well as a second round runoff between the two candidates with the two highest pluralities if none win a majority on the first round. No candidate won a majority in either 2012 major party first round primary, so both parties had a runoff on July 31, 2012.

## Republican primary
### Candidates
#### Declared

* Glenn Addison, funeral home owner
* Joe Agris, plastic surgeon
* Curt Cleaver, owner of a hotel sales, consulting, and management company
* Ted Cruz, former State Solicitor General
* David Dewhurst, Texas Lieutenant Governor
* Ben Gambini
* Charles Holcomb, retired judge from the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals
* Craig James, sports commentator and former professional football player
* Tom Leppert, former mayor of Dallas
* Lela Pittenger, mediator

#### Withdrew

* Elizabeth Ames Jones, Texas Railroad Commissioner (withdrew to run for state senate)
* Florence Shapiro, Texas state senator (dropped out)
* Michael Williams, former Texas Railroad Commissioner (withdrew to run for U.S. House)
* Roger Williams, former Texas Secretary of State (withdrew to run for U.S. House)

#### Declined

* Kay Bailey Hutchison, incumbent U.S. senator
* Robert Paul, doctor and son of Ron Paul
* Ron Paul, U.S. representative (running for president)
* Dan Patrick, Texas state senator

### Endorsements

* Sarah Palin, 2008 Republican vice presidential nominee and former governor of Alaska
* Rand Paul, United States senator from Kentucky
* Pat Toomey, United States senator from Pennsylvania
* Justin Amash, United States Congressman from Michigan CD3
* Jim DeMint, United States senator from South Carolina
* Mike Lee, United States senator from Utah
* Ron Paul, United States Congressman from Texas CD14 and 2012 Republican presidential candidate
* Rick Santorum, former United States senator from Pennsylvania and 2012 Republican presidential candidate
* Edwin Meese, former United States Attorney General
* Cathie Adams, former chairman of the Republican Party of Texas
* Tina Benkiser, former chairman of the Republican Party of Texas
* George Strake, Jr., former chairman of the Republican Party of Texas
* Mark Levin, conservative talk radio host
* Erick Erickson, American conservative blogger and managing editor of the prominent blog site RedState
* George P. Bush, co-founder of "Hispanic Republicans of Texas" and nephew of President George W. Bush
* Michael Farris, founder of the Home School Legal Defense Association
* David Barton, founder of WallBuilders
* Dr. Robert P. George, professor of Princeton University and former chairman of the National Organization for Marriage
* Dr. James Dobson, psychologist, founder of Focus on the Family and Family Research Council
* Family Research Council
* Americans For Prosperity
* Concerned Women for America
* Republican Liberty Caucus
* Club for Growth, a fiscally conservative PAC
* FreedomWorks, conservative Tea Party group
* Sean Hannity, conservative talk radio and Fox News host
* Tea Party Conservative, conservative blog
* Tea Party Express
* Citizens United
* Gun Owners of America
* Young Conservatives of Texas
* Rick Perry, Governor of Texas and 2012 Republican presidential candidate
* James Inhofe, United States senator from Oklahoma
* Dallas Morning News,
* Mike Huckabee, former governor of Arkansas and 2008 presidential candidate
* Michael Reagan, conservative talk radio host
* Rick Scarborough, President of Vision America
* BEEF-PAC
* Combined Law Enforcement Associations of Texas
* Independent Bankers Association of Texas
* National Association of Realtors
* Texas Agricultural Aviation Association
* Texas Alliance for Life
* Texas and Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association
* Texas Apartment Association
* Texas Association of Business
* Texas Association of Manufacturers
* Texas Department of Public Safety Officers Association
* Texas Farm Bureau Friends of Agriculture Fund
* Texas Hospital Association
* Texas Medical Association
* Texas Municipal Police Association
* Texas Oil and Gas PAC
* Texas Poultry Federation
* Texas Restaurant Association
* Texas Retailers Association
* Texas Right to Life
* Texas Society of Professional Engineers
* Texas State Association of Fire Fighters
* Texas State Lodge of the Fraternal Order of Police
* Texas Wildlife Association

### Polling

| Poll source | Date(s) administered | Sample size | Margin of error | Ted Cruz | David Dewhurst | Elizabeth Ames Jones | Craig James | Tom Leppert | Lela Pittenger | Michael Williams | Roger Williams | Other | Undecided |
| Public Policy Polling | January 14–16, 2011 | 400 | ±4.9% | 3% | 23% | 6% | 6% | 3% | — | 3% | 1% | 55% | 55% |
| UoT/Texas Tribune | February 11–17, 2011 | 374 | ±5.07% | 3% | 27% | 2% | 2% | – | — | 5% | 2% | 59% | 59% |
| UoT/Texas Tribune | May 11–18, 2011 | 388 | ±4.98% | 2% | 25% | 1% | 1% | 4% | — | 6% | 2% | 59% | 59% |
| Texas Lyceum | May 24–31, 2011 | 147 | ±8.08% | 1% | 27% | 2% | 2% | 3% | — | 0% | 4% | 61% | 61% |
| Public Policy Polling | September 15–18, 2011 | 400 | ±4.9% | 12% | 41% | 7% | 7% | 6% | — | — | 6% | 21% | 21% |
| UoT/Texas Tribune | October 19–26, 2011 | 800 | ±4.93% | 10% | 22% | 2% | 2% | 5% | — | — | — | 41% | 41% |
| Baselice & Associates | October 31 – November 2, 2011 | 600 | ±4% | 6% | 50% | — | — | 9% | — | — | 2% | — | 35% |
| Public Policy Polling | January 12–15, 2012 | 559 | ±4.2% | 18% | 36% | — | 4% | 7% | 1% | — | — | 3% | 31% |
| UoT/Texas Tribune | February 8–15, 2012 | 366 | ±5.12% | 27% | 38% | — | 7% | 7% | 1% | — | — | 20% | — |
| Public Policy Polling | April 19–22, 2012 | 400 | ±4.9% | 26% | 38% | — | 7% | 8% | — | — | — | 22% | 22% |
| DWBS | April 27–30, 2012 | 400 | ±4.5% | 16% | 51% | — | 2% | 7% | — | — | — | — | 24% |
| UoT/Texas Tribune | May 2012 | 274 | ±5.92% | 31% | 40% | — | 4% | 17% | 3% | — | — | 4% | 2% |
| BOR/People Calling People | May 15–16, 2012 | 557 | ±4.2% | 30% | 43% | — | 5% | 14% | 4% | — | — | 3% | — |
| Public Policy Polling | May 22–23, 2012 | 482 | ±4.5% | 29% | 46% | — | 5% | 15% | — | — | — | 2% | 5% |
* • Commissioned by David Dewhurst
With Dan Patrick
| Poll source | Date(s) administered | Sample size | Margin of error | Ted Cruz | David Dewhurst | Elizabeth Ames Jones | Tom Leppert | Dan Patrick | Roger Williams | Other | Undecided |
| DWBS $^+$ | June 4–5, 2011 | 450 | ±4.62% | 2% | — | 4% | 11% | 19% | 6% | — | 58% |
| DWBS $^+$ | June 4–5, 2011 | 450 | ±4.62% | 6% | — | — | — | 29% | — | — | 64% |
| Public Policy Polling | June 25–27, 2011 | 400 | ±4.9% | 11% | 40% | 3% | 5% | 11% | 2% | 2% | 26% |
* $^+$ Commissioned by Dan Patrick

### Results

Republican primary results :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | David Dewhurst | 627,731 | 44.63 |
| | Republican | Ted Cruz | 480,558 | 34.16 |
| | Republican | Tom Leppert | 187,900 | 13.36 |
| | Republican | Craig James | 50,569 | 3.60 |
| | Republican | Glenn Addison | 23,177 | 1.65 |
| | Republican | Lela Pittenger | 18,143 | 1.29 |
| | Republican | Ben Gambini | 7,225 | 0.51 |
| | Republican | Curt Cleaver | 6,671 | 0.47 |
| | Republican | Joe Argis | 4,674 | 0.33 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 1,406,648 | 100 |

### Runoff
#### Polling

| Poll source | Date(s) administered | Sample size | Margin of error | Ted Cruz | David Dewhurst | Undecided |
| Public Policy Polling | May 22–23, 2012 | 482 | ±4.5% | 34% | 59% | 7% |
| Wenzel Strategies | July 10–11, 2012 | 600 | ±4% | 47% | 38% | 14% |
| Public Policy Polling | July 10–11, 2012 | 468 | ±4.5% | 49% | 44% | 7% |
| Public Policy Polling | July 28–29, 2012 | 665 | ±3.8% | 52% | 42% | 6% |

#### Results

Republican runoff results :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | Ted Cruz | 631,812 | 56.82 |
| | Republican | David Dewhurst | 480,126 | 43.18 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 1,111,938 | 100 |

## Democratic primary
### Candidates
#### Filed

* Addie Allen, disaster assistance employee for the Department of Homeland Security
* Sean Hubbard, businessman
* Paul Sadler, attorney and former state Representative
* Grady Yarbrough, retired teacher

#### Withdrew

* Daniel Boone, retired Air Force Colonel (withdrew to run for 21st U.S. congressional district in Texas; lost in Democratic primary)
* Jason Gibson, president of the Houston Trial Lawyers Association (filed, but dropped out in February 2012)
* Ricardo Sanchez, former United States Army Lieutenant General (dropped out)

#### Declined

* Julian Castro, Mayor of San Antonio
* Adrian Garcia, Harris County sheriff
* Ron Kirk, U.S. trade representative and former Mayor of Dallas
* Nick Lampson, former U.S. representative
* John Sharp, former Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts
* Leticia Van de Putte, Texas state senator
* Bill White, former Mayor of Houston, originally announced that he would be running for the seat when it is vacated by Hutchison. On December 4, 2009, White announced that he was running for governor instead. After receiving the Democratic nomination for governor and losing the general election, White declared on November 15, 2010, that he would not run for the U.S. Senate in 2012.

### Polling

| Poll source | Date(s) administered | Sample size | Margin of error | Addie Allen | Sean Hubbard | Paul Sadler | Grady Yarbrough | Others |
| University of Texas/Texas Tribune | May 2012 | 234 | ±6.41% | 22% | 22% | 35% | 12% | Don't know (9%) |
| Poll source | Date(s) administered | Sample size | Margin of error | Addie Allen | Daniel Boone | Sean Hubbard | John Morton | Paul Sadler | Others |
| University of Texas/Texas Tribune | February 8–15, 2012 | 255 | ±6.14% | 10% | 10% | 12% | 3% | 10% | Other (55%) |
| Poll source | Date(s) administered | Sample size | Margin of error | Chris Bell | Chet Edwards | Sylvia Garcia | Ricardo Sanchez | John Sharp | Others |
| Texas Lyceum | May 24–31, 2011 | 103 | ±9.66% | 9% | 6% | 5% | 6% | 6% | Haven't thought much about it (64%) |
| University of Texas/Texas Tribune | May 11–18, 2011 | 252 | ±6.17% | 7% | 11% | – | 14% | 6% | Don't know (63%) |
| University of Texas, Austin | February 11–17, 2011 | 297 | ±5.69% | 16% | 13% | – | – | 12% | Don't know (59%) |

### Results

Democratic primary results :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Democratic | Paul Sadler | 174,772 | 35.13 |
| | Democratic | Grady Yarbrough | 128,746 | 25.88 |
| | Democratic | Addie Allen | 113,935 | 22.90 |
| | Democratic | Sean Hubbard | 80,034 | 16.09 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 497,487 | 100 |

### Runoff

Democratic runoff results :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Democratic | Paul Sadler | 148,940 | 63.03 |
| | Democratic | Grady Yarbrough | 87,365 | 36.97 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 236,305 | 100 |

## Libertarian Party nomination

The Libertarian Party was qualified for the ballot (based on its 2010 performance at the polls). The Texas Libertarian Party nominated John Jay Myers as its Senate candidate, using approval voting on June 9 at the state convention in Fort Worth. The nominating process followed a two-round debate featuring six candidates for the nomination.

### Candidates

* Robert Butler
* Wayne Huffman
* Scott Jameson
* John Jay Myers, restaurant owner
* S. Ropal Raju
* Jon Roland

### Results

Libertarian convention approval vote :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Libertarian | John Jay Myers | 97 | 78.9 |
| | Libertarian | Scott Jameson | 28 | 22.8 |
| | Libertarian | John Roland | 27 | 21.9 |
| | Libertarian | Robert Butler | 19 | 15.4 |
| | Libertarian | S. Ropal Raju | 3 | 2.4 |
| | Libertarian | Wayne Huffman | 2 | 1.6 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 176 | 143 |
| Total ballots | Total ballots | Total ballots | 123 | 1.431 |

## Green Party nomination

The Green Party of Texas reported two candidates pre-selected at the June 9 convention: David B. Collins and Victoria Ann Zabaras. Collins was ultimately nominated (official blog).

## General election
### Candidates

* Ted Cruz, (Republican) former state solicitor general
* Paul Sadler, (Democratic) former state representative
* John Jay Myers, (Libertarian) restaurant owner
* David Collins (Green), IT service desk analyst
* Chris Tina Bruce (independent)
* Mike Champion (independent)

### Debates

* Complete video of debate, October 2, 2012 - C-SPAN
* Complete video of debate, October 19, 2012 - C-SPAN

### Fundraising

| Candidate (party) | Receipts | Disbursements | Cash on hand | Debt |
| Ted Cruz (R) | $9,053,212 | $7,600,914 | $1,452,297 | $795,000 |
| Paul Sadler (D) | $139,197 | $108,442 | $30,753 | $12,197 |
| John Jay Myers (L) | $6,139 | $547 | $5,591 | $0 |
| Source: Federal Election Commission |||||

### Top contributors

| Paul Sadler | Contribution | Ted Cruz | Contribution |
| Communications Workers of America | $5,000 | Club for Growth | $659,777 |
| International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers | $5,000 | Senate Conservatives Fund | $200,549 |
| International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers | $5,000 | Morgan, Lewis & Bockius | $41,600 |
| United Transportation Union | $5,000 | Goldman Sachs | $40,750 |
| Velvin Oil Co | $5,000 | RE Janes Gravel Co | $37,500 |
| 3-D Secure | $2,500 | Woodforest National Bank | $37,000 |
| American Federation of Teachers | $2,500 | Jones Day | $34,900 |
| Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers | $2,500 | Bartlit, Beck, Herman, Palenchar & Scott | $36,350 |
| Galyean Lp | $2,500 | Baker Botts | $32,313 |
| University of Houston | $2,500 | Crow Holdings | $30,000 |

### Top industries

| Paul Sadler | Contribution | Ted Cruz | Contribution |
| Industrial unions | $15,000 | Republican/Conservative | $825,098 |
| Lawyers/law firms | $9,000 | Lawyers/law firms | $551,662 |
| Transportation unions | $7,500 | Retired | $437,961 |
| Retired | $7,500 | Oil and gas | $325,850 |
| Public sector unions | $2,500 | Financial institutions | $305,110 |
| Financial institutions | $2,500 | Real estate | $240,300 |
| Education | $2,500 | Leadership PACs | $235,549 |
| Candidate committees | $2,000 | Misc finance | $185,700 |
| Lobbyists | $1,000 | Health professionals | $155,880 |
| Civil servants/public officials | $500 | Misc business | $148,874 |

### Predictions

| Source | Ranking | As of |
| The Cook Political Report | Solid R | November 1, 2012 |
| Sabato's Crystal Ball | Safe R | November 5, 2012 |
| Rothenberg Political Report | Safe R | November 2, 2012 |
| Real Clear Politics | Safe R | November 5, 2012 |

### Polling

| Poll source | Date(s) administered | Sample size | Margin of error | Ted Cruz (R) | Paul Sadler (D) | John Jay Myers (L) | Undecided |
| Public Policy Polling | January 12–15, 2012 | 700 | ±3.7% | 41% | 31% | — | 28% |
| Public Policy Polling | April 19–22, 2012 | 591 | ±4.0% | 44% | 34% | — | 22% |
| Frederick Polling | September 2012 | 700 | ±3.7% | 49% | 32% | 6% | 14% |
| YouGov | September 14, 2012 | 1,201 | ±2.8% | 50% | 31% | — | 19% |
| Texas Lyceum | September 10–26, 2012 | 1,175 | ±2.83% | 50% | 24% | — | 26% |
| University of Texas/Texas Tribune | October 15–20, 2012 | 540 | ±4.22% | 54% | 39% | — | 7% |
with David Dewhurst
| Poll source | Date(s) administered | Sample size | Margin of error | David Dewhurst (R) | Paul Sadler (D) | Other | Undecided |
| Public Policy Polling | January 12–15, 2012 | 700 | ±3.7% | 49% | 31% | — | 20% |
| Public Policy Polling | April 19–22, 2012 | 591 | ±4.0% | 49% | 35% | — | 16% |
with Julian Castro
| Poll source | Date(s) administered | Sample size | Margin of error | David Dewhurst (R) | Julian Castro (D) | Other | Undecided |
| Public Policy Polling | January 14–16, 2011 | 892 | ±3.3 | 53% | 25% | — | 23% |
| Poll source | Date(s) administered | Sample size | Margin of error | Elizabeth Ames Jones (R) | Julian Castro (D) | Other | Undecided |
| Public Policy Polling | January 14–16, 2011 | 892 | ±3.3 | 48% | 27% | — | 25% |
| Poll source | Date(s) administered | Sample size | Margin of error | Tom Leppert (R) | Julian Castro (D) | Other | Undecided |
| Public Policy Polling | January 14–16, 2011 | 892 | ±3.3 | 48% | 25% | — | 27% |
| Poll source | Date(s) administered | Sample size | Margin of error | Michael Williams (R) | Julian Castro (D) | Other | Undecided |
| Public Policy Polling | January 14–16, 2011 | 892 | ±3.3 | 45% | 26% | — | 29% |
with Chet Edwards
| Poll source | Date(s) administered | Sample size | Margin of error | Ted Cruz (R) | Chet Edwards (D) | Other | Undecided |
| Public Policy Polling | September 15–18, 2011 | 569 | ±4.1% | 37% | 33% | — | 30% |
| Poll source | Date(s) administered | Sample size | Margin of error | David Dewhurst (R) | Chet Edwards (D) | Other | Undecided |
| Public Policy Polling | January 14–16, 2011 | 892 | ±3.3% | 50% | 31% | — | 19% |
| Public Policy Polling | September 15–18, 2011 | 569 | ±4.1% | 43% | 35% | — | 22% |
| Poll source | Date(s) administered | Sample size | Margin of error | Tom Leppert (R) | Chet Edwards (D) | Other | Undecided |
| Public Policy Polling | January 14–16, 2011 | 892 | ±3.3% | 46% | 30% | — | 24% |
| Public Policy Polling | September 15–18, 2011 | 569 | ±4.1% | 39% | 33% | — | 28% |
| Poll source | Date(s) administered | Sample size | Margin of error | Elizabeth Ames Jones (R) | Chet Edwards (D) | Other | Undecided |
| Public Policy Polling | January 14–16, 2011 | 892 | ±3.3% | 44% | 31% | — | 25% |
| Poll source | Date(s) administered | Sample size | Margin of error | Michael Williams (R) | Chet Edwards (D) | Other | Undecided |
| Public Policy Polling | January 14–16, 2011 | 892 | ±3.3 | 42% | 31% | — | 27% |
with Sean Hubbard
| Poll source | Date(s) administered | Sample size | Margin of error | Ted Cruz (R) | Sean Hubbard (D) | Other | Undecided |
| Public Policy Polling | April 19–22, 2012 | 591 | ±4.0% | 43% | 33% | — | 25% |
| Public Policy Polling | January 12–15, 2012 | 700 | ±3.7% | 39% | 29% | — | 31% |
| Poll source | Date(s) administered | Sample size | Margin of error | David Dewhurst (R) | Sean Hubbard (D) | Other | Undecided |
| Public Policy Polling | April 19–22, 2012 | 591 | ±4.0% | 50% | 35% | — | 15% |
| Public Policy Polling | January 12–15, 2012 | 700 | ±3.7% | 48% | 31% | — | 22% |
| Poll source | Date(s) administered | Sample size | Margin of error | Craig James (R) | Sean Hubbard (D) | Other | Undecided |
| Public Policy Polling | April 19–22, 2012 | 591 | ±4.0% | 41% | 35% | — | 24% |
| Public Policy Polling | January 12–15, 2012 | 700 | ±3.7% | 40% | 32% | — | 27% |
| Poll source | Date(s) administered | Sample size | Margin of error | Tom Leppert (R) | Sean Hubbard (D) | Other | Undecided |
| Public Policy Polling | April 19–22, 2012 | 591 | ±4.0% | 44% | 34% | — | 22% |
| Public Policy Polling | January 12–15, 2012 | 700 | ±3.7% | 43% | 22% | — | 26% |
with Tommy Lee Jones
| Poll source | Date(s) administered | Sample size | Margin of error | Ted Cruz (R) | Tommy Lee Jones (D) | Other | Undecided |
| Public Policy Polling | June 25–27, 2011 | 795 | ±3.5 | 37% | 38% | — | 25% |
| Poll source | Date(s) administered | Sample size | Margin of error | David Dewhurst (R) | Tommy Lee Jones (D) | Other | Undecided |
| Public Policy Polling | June 25–27, 2011 | 795 | ±3.5 | 43% | 39% | — | 18% |
| Poll source | Date(s) administered | Sample size | Margin of error | Tom Leppert (R) | Tommy Lee Jones (D) | Other | Undecided |
| Public Policy Polling | June 25–27, 2011 | 795 | ±3.5 | 38% | 37% | — | 26% |
with Paul Sadler
| Poll source | Date(s) administered | Sample size | Margin of error | Craig James (R) | Paul Sadler (D) | Other | Undecided |
| Public Policy Polling | April 19–22, 2012 | 591 | ±4.0% | 40% | 36% | — | 24% |
| Public Policy Polling | January 12–15, 2012 | 700 | ±3.7% | 42% | 32% | — | 26% |
| Poll source | Date(s) administered | Sample size | Margin of error | Tom Leppert (R) | Paul Sadler (D) | Other | Undecided |
| Public Policy Polling | April 19–22, 2012 | 591 | ±4.0% | 44% | 33% | — | 22% |
| Public Policy Polling | January 12–15, 2012 | 700 | ±3.7% | 44% | 31% | — | 25% |
with Ricardo Sanchez
| Poll source | Date(s) administered | Sample size | Margin of error | Ted Cruz (R) | Ricardo Sanchez (D) | Other | Undecided |
| Public Policy Polling | September 15–18, 2011 | 569 | ±4.1% | 42% | 31% | — | 27% |
| Public Policy Polling | June 25–27, 2011 | 795 | ±3.5% | 41% | 32% | — | 27% |
| Poll source | Date(s) administered | Sample size | Margin of error | David Dewhurst (R) | Ricardo Sanchez (D) | Other | Undecided |
| Public Policy Polling | September 15–18, 2011 | 569 | ±4.1% | 47% | 32% | — | 22% |
| Public Policy Polling | June 25–27, 2011 | 795 | ±3.5% | 45% | 37% | — | 18% |
| Poll source | Date(s) administered | Sample size | Margin of error | Tom Leppert (R) | Ricardo Sanchez (D) | Other | Undecided |
| Public Policy Polling | September 15–18, 2011 | 569 | ±4.1% | 41% | 32% | — | 27% |
| Public Policy Polling | June 25–27, 2011 | 795 | ±3.5% | 38% | 35% | — | 27% |
with John Sharp
| Poll source | Date(s) administered | Sample size | Margin of error | Greg Abbott (R) | John Sharp (D) | Other | Undecided |
| University of Texas, Austin | February 24 – March 6, 2009 | 715 | ±3.66% | 44% | 36% | — | 19% |
| Public Policy Polling | February 18–20, 2009 | 1,409 | ±2.6% | 36% | 28% | — | 36% |
| Poll source | Date(s) administered | Sample size | Margin of error | Ted Cruz (R) | John Sharp (D) | Other | Undecided |
| Public Policy Polling | June 25–27, 2011 | 795 | ±3.5 | 40% | 36% | — | 25% |
| Poll source | Date(s) administered | Sample size | Margin of error | David Dewhurst (R) | John Sharp (D) | Other | Undecided |
| Public Policy Polling | June 25–27, 2011 | 795 | ±3.5 | 43% | 37% | — | 19% |
| Public Policy Polling | January 14–16, 2011 | 892 | ±3.3 | 49% | 31% | — | 19% |
| University of Texas, Austin | February 24 – March 6, 2009 | 715 | ±3.66% | 34% | 33% | — | 33% |
| Public Policy Polling | February 18–20, 2009 | 1,409 | ±2.6% | 42% | 36% | — | 22% |
| Poll source | Date(s) administered | Sample size | Margin of error | Elizabeth Ames Jones (R) | John Sharp (D) | Other | Undecided |
| Public Policy Polling | January 14–16, 2011 | 892 | ±3.3 | 44% | 30% | — | 26% |
| University of Texas, Austin | February 24 – March 6, 2009 | 715 | ±3.66% | 33% | 31% | — | 37% |
| Poll source | Date(s) administered | Sample size | Margin of error | Tom Leppert (R) | John Sharp (D) | Other | Undecided |
| Public Policy Polling | June 25–27, 2011 | 795 | ±3.5 | 39% | 38% | — | 23% |
| Public Policy Polling | January 14–16, 2011 | 892 | ±3.3 | 42% | 30% | — | 28% |
| Poll source | Date(s) administered | Sample size | Margin of error | Florence Shapiro (R) | John Sharp (D) | Other | Undecided |
| University of Texas, Austin | February 24 – March 6, 2009 | 715 | ±3.66% | 31% | 32% | — | 37% |
| Public Policy Polling | February 18–20, 2009 | 1,409 | ±2.6 | 34% | 37% | — | 29% |
| Poll source | Date(s) administered | Sample size | Margin of error | Roger Williams (R) | John Sharp (D) | Other | Undecided |
| University of Texas, Austin | February 24 – March 6, 2009 | 715 | ±3.66% | 29% | 33% | — | 38% |
with Bill White
| Poll source | Date(s) administered | Sample size | Margin of error | Greg Abbott (R) | Bill White (D) | Other | Undecided |
| University of Texas, Austin | February 24 – March 6, 2009 | 715 | ±3.66% | 37% | 28% | — | 36% |
| Public Policy Polling | February 18–20, 2009 | 1,409 | ±2.6% | 42% | 36% | — | 22% |
| Poll source | Date(s) administered | Sample size | Margin of error | David Dewhurst (R) | Bill White (D) | Other | Undecided |
| University of Texas, Austin | February 24 – March 6, 2009 | 715 | ±3.66% | 38% | 36% | — | 26% |
| Public Policy Polling | February 18–20, 2009 | 1,409 | ±2.6% | 42% | 37% | — | 21% |
| Poll source | Date(s) administered | Sample size | Margin of error | Elizabeth Ames Jones (R) | Bill White (D) | Other | Undecided |
| University of Texas, Austin | February 24 – March 6, 2009 | 715 | ±3.66% | 33% | 30% | — | 37% |
| Poll source | Date(s) administered | Sample size | Margin of error | Florence Shapiro (R) | Bill White (D) | Other | Undecided |
| University of Texas, Austin | February 24 – March 6, 2009 | 715 | ±3.66% | 32% | 31% | — | 37% |
| Public Policy Polling | February 18–20, 2011 | 1,409 | ±2.6 | 37% | 36% | — | 27% |
| Poll source | Date(s) administered | Sample size | Margin of error | Michael Williams (R) | Bill White (D) | Other | Undecided |
| University of Texas, Austin | February 24 – March 6, 2009 | 715 | ±3.66% | 35% | 31% | — | 34% |
| Poll source | Date(s) administered | Sample size | Margin of error | Roger Williams (R) | Bill White (D) | Other | Undecided |
| University of Texas, Austin | February 24 – March 6, 2009 | 715 | ±3.66% | 31% | 33% | — | 38% |
Republican primary (when asked specifically, if Dewhurst were not running)
| Poll source | Date(s) administered | Sample size | Margin of error | Glenn Addison | Ted Cruz | Elizabeth Ames Jones | Tom Leppert | Dan Patrick | Lela Pittenger | Roger Williams |
| Public Policy Polling | June 25–27, 2011 | 400 | ±4.9% | 4% | 16% | 11% | 12% | 13% | 0% | 3% |

### Results

2012 United States Senate election in Texas :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Republican | Ted Cruz | 4,440,137 | 56.46% | −5.23% |
| | Democratic | Paul Sadler | 3,194,927 | 40.62% | +4.58% |
| | Libertarian | John Jay Myers | 162,354 | 2.06% | −0.20% |
| | Green | David Collins | 67,404 | 0.86% | N/A |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 7,864,822 | 100.0% | N/A |
| | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold |

#### Counties that flipped from Republican to Democratic

* Bexar (largest city: San Antonio)
* Cameron (largest community: Brownsville)
* Jefferson (largest city: Beaumont)
* Frio (largest municipality: Pearsall)
* Kleberg (largest municipality: Kingsville)
* La Salle (largest municipality: Cotulla)
* Val Verde (largest municipality: Del Rio)
* Culberson (largest municipality: Van Horn)
* Dallas (largest city: Dallas)

#### By congressional district

Cruz won 25 of 36 congressional districts, including one that elected a Democrat.
| District | Cruz | Sadler | Representative |
| 1st | 67.74% | 30.55% | Louie Gohmert |
| 2nd | 62.92% | 34.35% | Ted Poe |
| 3rd | 63.52% | 33.52% | Sam Johnson |
| 4th | 69.79% | 27.6% | Ralph Hall |
| 5th | 62.41% | 35.41% | Jeb Hensarling |
| 6th | 57.16% | 40.12% | Joe Barton |
| 7th | 59.63% | 37.73% | John Culberson |
| 8th | 75.64% | 21.88% | Kevin Brady |
| 9th | 21.91% | 76.35% | Al Green |
| 10th | 57.76% | 38.76% | Michael McCaul |
| 11th | 77.32% | 19.92% | Mike Conaway |
| 12th | 65.74% | 31.22% | Kay Granger |
| 13th | 78.17% | 19.12% | Mac Thornberry |
| 14th | 57.98% | 39.8% | Randy Weber |
| 15th | 42.74% | 54.55% | Rubén Hinojosa |
| 16th | 37.02% | 59.66% | Beto O'Rourke |
| 17th | 59.36% | 37.24% | Bill Flores |
| 18th | 23.51% | 74.37% | Sheila Jackson Lee |
| 19th | 72.65% | 24.37% | Randy Neugebauer |
| 20th | 39.33% | 57.47% | Joaquín Castro |
| 21st | 59.38% | 37.32% | Lamar Smith |
| 22nd | 62.02% | 35.74% | Pete Olson |
| 23rd | 51.67% | 45.28% | Pete Gallego |
| 24th | 59.97% | 36.88% | Kenny Marchant |
| 25th | 58.07% | 37.79% | Roger Williams |
| 26th | 66.74% | 29.66% | Michael Burgess |
| 27th | 59.12% | 38.11% | Blake Farenthold |
| 28th | 41.5% | 55.14% | Henry Cuellar |
| 29th | 34.47% | 63.27% | Gene Green |
| 30th | 20.58% | 77.58% | Eddie Bernice Johnson |
| 31st | 58.13% | 37.46% | John Carter |
| 32nd | 56.03% | 41.03% | Pete Sessions |
| 33rd | 28.71% | 68.96% | Marc Veasey |
| 34th | 41.71% | 55.23% | Filemon Vela Jr. |
| 35th | 34.14% | 61.38% | Lloyd Doggett |
| 36th | 71.03% | 26.66% | Steve Stockman |