Lance Gooden

In the 2024 House race for TX-5, Lance Gooden (R) defeated Ruth "Truth" Torres (D) 64.1% to 35.9%. Lance Gooden received 192,185 votes compared to 107,712 for Ruth "Truth" Torres, a dominant 28.2-point margin reflecting a safely partisan district.

As the incumbent, Lance Gooden benefited from name recognition, established constituent services, and the roughly 2-3 point advantage that sitting members typically enjoy. The 2024 presidential election drove higher voter turnout, which can help or hurt down-ballot candidates depending on the top of the ticket. The wide margin suggests this district is firmly in the Republican column for the foreseeable future.

In the 2022 House race for TX-5, Lance Gooden (R) won with 64.0% of the vote, defeating Tartisha Hill (D) who received 33.9%. 2 additional candidates split the remaining vote. Lance Gooden's 30.0-point advantage over the runner-up confirmed a comfortable win.

As the incumbent, Lance Gooden benefited from name recognition, established constituent services, and the roughly 2-3 point advantage that sitting members typically enjoy. As a Republican, Lance Gooden benefited from the historical midterm penalty against the president's party — with a Democrat in the White House, the opposition typically gains seats. The wide margin suggests this district is firmly in the Republican column for the foreseeable future.

In the 2020 House race for TX-5, Lance Gooden (R) won with 62.0% of the vote, defeating Carolyn Salter (D) who received 35.9%. A third candidate also appeared on the ballot. Lance Gooden's 26.1-point advantage over the runner-up confirmed a comfortable win.

This was an open-seat race. Open seats typically attract stronger candidates and heavier spending from both parties. The 2020 presidential election drove higher voter turnout, which can help or hurt down-ballot candidates depending on the top of the ticket. The wide margin suggests this district is firmly in the Republican column for the foreseeable future.

In the 2018 House race for TX-05, Lance Gooden (R) defeated Dan Wood (D) 62.3% to 37.5%. Lance Gooden received 130,617 votes compared to 78,666 for Dan Wood, a dominant 24.8-point margin reflecting a safely partisan district.

This was an open-seat race with no incumbent running — Jeb Hensarling (R) previously held the seat. Open seats typically attract stronger candidates and heavier spending from both parties. As a Republican, Lance Gooden won despite the historical midterm penalty against the president's party (Republican Trump was in office).