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On the Records: Mapping GOP Gains

Texas is — at least geographically — more red after Tuesday's GOP wave.

by Matt Stiles

Lead image for this article
Credit: Caleb Bryant Miller

The geography of state politics changed Tuesday night, with Republicans taking control of 99 seats in the Texas House — the largest majority for either party since 1983. 

This takeover is striking when seen on a political map. Texas is — at least geographically — more red after Tuesday's GOP wave. 

First, the 2009 map, which reflects the Democrats' strength in urban areas, but also in swaths of East Texas and the Panhandle: 

2011 Texas House map

No more. The 2011 map shows a real divide, with Democrats losing everywhere except pockets of urban counties, far southeast Texas and the border: 

2011 Texas House map

Please let us know if you have feedback or ideas for future visualizations. Be sure to follow @TribData on Twitter for updates.

High-res PDFs: 2009 | 2011

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Information about the authors

Matt Stiles’s staff photo

Matt Stiles

Reporter and News Apps Editor

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