At least for now, Republicans are holding onto control of the Texas House of Representatives by the slimmest of leads — 25 votes to be exact.
That's the margin of victory that incumbent Republican Linda Harper-Brown of Irving had over Democrat Bob Ramano in District 105 after Tuesday's election. According to unofficial election night returns, Harper-Brown received 19,833 votes to Ramanos 19,808.
If Harper-Browns lead holds, Republicans will maintain a 76-74 edge in the Texas House, said Cal Jillson, a political science professor at Southern Methodist University in Dallas.
But thats a big "if."
Steven Tillery with the Dallas County Democratic Party said the campaign will be watching the next few days as mail-in ballots come in and an unknown number of provisional ballots are assessed.
"At that point, Im sure well have to take a look at it and see what our options are," Tillery said.
Democrats were pushing for a thin majority in the House, where Republicans entered Tuesdays election with a 79-71 majority. Democrats needed a net gain of five seats to take over the majority and oust Republican House Speaker Tom Craddick of Midland.
"I think well still see a change in speakership," Jillson said. "I think well see dozens of people declaring for the speakership."
Allan Saxe, an associate political science professor at the University of Texas at Arlington, said changing demographics across the board have narrowed the Republican advantage in Texas.
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