The contenders

A look at Texas contenders for the White House based on the presidential cycle and by party.

2020

Julián Castro, Democrat: The former San Antonio mayor became one of the first candidates to declare for the White House. Beto O’Rourke, Democrat: The former El Paso congressman used a strong U.S. Senate campaign to vault into the presidential race.

Both candidates struggled in polling in Iowa and dropped out of the race before Iowa even voted.

2016

U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz, Republican: He became a rare Texas exception in Iowa, winning the GOP caucuses in the state over Donald Trump. The victory would make him Trump’s main foil the rest of 2016.

Rick Perry, Republican: Iowa was a flop for the former Texas governor. He jumped into the race in June 2015 but was never able to get going in Iowa and quit the race by September — months before Iowa held its first-in-the-nation nominating contest.

2012

U.S. Rep. Ron Paul, Republican: Paul would finish third in Iowa’s caucuses and would ultimately win 190 delegates before losing to ultimate GOP nominee Mitt Romney.

Perry: In his first campaign for president, Perry finished a distant fifth place in Iowa. He suspended his campaign shortly after finishing last in New Hampshire.

2000

Gov. George W. Bush, Republican: The former Texas governor easily won the Iowa caucuses on his way to winning the GOP nomination.

1996

U.S. Sen. Phil Gramm, Republican: The U.S. senator announced his campaign for the White House at Texas A&M University in February 1995. About a year later, he finished fifth in the Iowa caucuses and withdrew from the race.

1988

Vice President George H.W. Bush, Republican: The former vice president from Houston had the backing of President Ronald Reagan in the primaries but still lost the Iowa caucuses, finishing in third place.

1980

George H.W. Bush: Bush jumped out to an early lead by winning the Iowa caucuses over Reagan. But Reagan would win New Hampshire and dominate the race from there.

Former Gov. John Connally, Republican: The former Texas governor who had switched from being a Democrat to a Republican jumped into the race in January 1979. Connally finished a distant fourth in Iowa.

1976

U.S. Sen. Lloyd Bentsen, Democrat: In February 1975, Bentsen jumped into the race and was an early favorite due to big fundraising numbers. But Jimmy Carter would dominate Iowa as he surged to become the frontrunner.