<P> John Tower 's 1961 election to the U.S. Senate made him the first statewide GOP officeholder since Reconstruction and the disenfranchisement of black Republicans . Republican Governor Bill Clements and Senator Phil Gramm ( also a former Democrat ) were elected after him . Republicans became increasingly dominant in national elections in white - majority Texas . The last Democratic presidential candidate to win the state was Jimmy Carter in 1976 . Previously , a Democrat had to win Texas to win the White House , but in the 1992 election , Bill Clinton won the Oval Office while losing Texas electoral votes . This result significantly reduced the power of Texas Democrats at the national level , as party leaders believed the state had become unwinnable . </P>
<P> John Tower 's 1961 election to the U.S. Senate made him the first statewide GOP officeholder since Reconstruction and the disenfranchisement of black Republicans . Republican Governor Bill Clements and Senator Phil Gramm ( also a former Democrat ) were elected after him . Republicans became increasingly dominant in national elections in white - majority Texas . The last Democratic presidential candidate to win the state was Jimmy Carter in 1976 . Previously , a Democrat had to win Texas to win the White House , but in the 1992 election , Bill Clinton won the Oval Office while losing Texas electoral votes . This result significantly reduced the power of Texas Democrats at the national level , as party leaders believed the state had become unwinnable . </P>
when was the last time texas voted democrat in a presidential election
when was the last time texas voted democrat in a presidential election
1976
1976