Effects of third parties

As races in Texas become tighter, more third-party candidates are having an effect on elections. Over the past three general elections, there were six races in which a third-party candidate won more of the vote than the margin of victory.

• 2014: U.S. Rep. District 23: incumbent Pete Gallego (D) vs. Will Hurd (R) — margin of victory 2.10 percent; Libertarian Ruben Corvalan won 2.54 percent

• 2016: U.S. Rep. District 23: incumbent Will Hurd (R) vs. Pete Gallego (D) — margin of victory 1.33 percent; Libertarian Ruben Corvalan won 4.74 percent

• 2016: State Board of Education, District 5: Ken Mercer (R) vs. Rebecca Bell Metereau (D) — margin of victory 3.94 percent; Libertarian Ricardo Perkins won 4.72 percent

• 2018: State Rep. District 132: Mike Schofield (R) vs. Gina Calanni (D) — margin of victory 0.17 percent; Libertarian Daniel Arevalo won 1.66 percent

• 2018: State Board of Education, District 12: Pam Little (R) vs. Suzanne Smith (D) — margin of victory 1.52 percent; Libertarian Rachel Wester won 2.66 percent

• 2018: State Rep. District 92: incumbent Jonathan Stickland (R) vs. Steve Riddell (D) — margin of victory 2.39 percent; Libertarian Eric Espinoza won 2.75 percent