Question: who was the first republican governor elected in texas since reconstruction
Answer: Henderson August 15 , 1817 - August 30 , 1880 ( Aged 63 ) November 23 , 1853 -- December 21 , 1853 Democratic 3rd Lieutenant Governor of Texas ( 1851 - 1853 ) Office vacant 5 Elisha M. Pease January 3 , 1812 - August 26 , 1883 ( Aged 71 ) December 21 , 1853 -- December 21 , 1857 Unionist 1853 Texas State Senator ( 1849 - 1851 ) David Catchings Dickson 1855 Hardin Richard Runnels 6 Hardin R.