Interactive: 82nd Session Interest Group Scorecards

With the May 29 elections rapidly approaching, the candidates are out in force and so are the groups that want to share their views of the candidates with you. Those interest groups often issue scorecards, grading candidates on selected votes from the previous legislative session. Those can tell you a lot about the candidates, and the votes they choose to highlight can tell you a lot about the graders, too. Here's a sampling of critiques from some of the prominent interest groups.

How the ratings are calculated

  • Texas Watch - Scores are calculated based on the percentage of votes Texas Watch deems favorable in subjects such as "Access to the Courts," "Homeowners and Auto Insurance" and "Protecting Polluters."
  • Empower Texans - Empower Texans uses "exemplar votes on core budget and free enterprise issues that demonstrate legislators’ governing philosophy" to determine its letter grades. Legislators receive points for favorable votes, sponsorships of favorable bills or by taking the "Taxpaper Protection Pledge."
  • Texas Right to Life - Texas Right to Life tracked each legislator on a number of pro-life metrics. Votes on HB15/SB16, also known as the "Sonogram Bill," and its amendments, votes on Texas Right to Life amendments to HB1, and votes on bills that effected family planning funding were tracked. Bonuses were granted for authoring or co-sponsoring pro-life bills, amendments and motions, and legislators were penalized for non pro-life efforts.
  • Texas League of Conservation Voters (TLCV) - The 2011 Texas League of Conservation Voters scorecard "covers a range of votes and issues, including: renewable energy, green technologies and recycling and waste disposal." Scores are calculated based on the number of favorable votes.
  • Young Conservatives of Texas (YCT) - The Young Conservatives of Texas calculate scores based on 56 votes in the House and 38 votes in the Senate that "highlight conservative public policy choices." The ratings are calculated out of 100, based on how many favorable votes a legislator made.
  • Texas Eagle Forum - The Texas Eagle Forum leaned heavily on the vote for or against House Speaker Joe Straus at the beginning of the session. They opposed Straus and preface their ratings by saying "TEF considered this decision so important that we felt the vote should count for half of the points on our scorecard." The rest of their ratings are based on 25 votes each in the House and Senate.
  • Texas Conservative Roundtable - The Texas Conservative Roundtable's scorecard uses "votes on bills and amendments from the 82nd Regular and Special Sessions that reflected conservative budget choices, protected the infrastructure of the state, helped ensure a healthy and educated workforce, and improved the efficiency and transparency of government."
Texas House (82nd Session)
Jump to:
House - Senate
District Name Party Texas Watch Empower Texans Texas Right to Life TLCV YCT Texas Eagle Forum Texas Conservative Roundtable
1 George Lavender R 3% B 98% 56% 79 48% 92.9%
2 Dan Flynn R 0% A+ 130% 53% 92 96% 92%
3 Erwin Cain R 0% A+ 125% 56% 89 96% 91.1%
4 Lance Gooden R 3% D+ 98% 69% 71 44% 96.4%
5 Bryan Hughes R 20% A+ 164% 63% 89 84% 87.5%
6 Leo Berman R 0% B+ 125% 56% 82 88% 85.7%
7 David Simpson R 17% A+ 125% 59% 91 85% 64.3%
8 Byron Cook R 0% D+ 104% 59% 64 40% 96.4%
9 Wayne Christian R 0% A+ 152% 65% 93 100% 90.7%
10 Jim Pitts R 0% D 89% 66% 62 36% 98.1%
11 Chuck Hopson R 0% D 87% 70% 62 33% 98%
12 James White R 7% A+ 124% 53% 82 92% 89.3%
13 Lois Kolkhorst R 0% B+ 115% 57% 73 44% 96.3%
14 Fred Brown R 3% D 98% 56% 60 32% 92.9%
15 Rob Eissler R 0% D+ 94% 73% 64 36% 96.4%
16 Brandon Creighton R 0% A+ 100% 59% 83 44% 92.6%
17 Tim Kleinschmidt R 0% C+ 100% 66% 71 40% 96.4%
18 John Otto R 0% C+ 122% 67% 71 28% 94.6%
19 Mike Hamilton R 14% C+ 98% 63% 63 32% 92.6%
20 Charles Schwertner R 5% B 100% 75% 77 44% 96.4%
21 Allan Ritter R 28% F 85% 79% 57 28% 96.2%
22 Joe Deshotel D 96% F 0% 90% 32 17% 64.3%
23 Craig Eiland D 97% F 0% 84% 34 17% 91.1%
24 Larry Taylor R 0% B+ 89% 69% 71 40% 96.2%
25 Dennis Bonnen R 0% A 119% 52% 81 43% 95.8%
26 Charlie Howard R 0% B 125% 66% 71 44% 92.9%
27 Ron Reynolds D 100% F 0% 97% 20 8% 51.9%
28 John Zerwas R 0% C+ 69% 66% 60 36% 96.3%
29 Randy Weber R 14% A+ 135% 59% 88 48% 85.7%
30 Geanie Morrison R 0% B+ 104% 65% 68 42% 96.4%
31 Ryan Guillen D 78% F 47% 81% 45 16% 62.5%
32 Todd Hunter R 7% C+ 104% 68% 69 40% 96.3%
33 Raul Torres R 3% C 102% 75% 68 36% 82.1%
34 Connie Scott R 0% C+ 102% 72% 70 36% 100%
35 Jose Aliseda R 0% B+ 100% 66% 73 40% 91.1%
36 Sergio Muñoz Jr. D 96% F 67% 91% 27 20% 59.3%
37 Rene Oliveira D 96% F 0% 84% 22 12% 63%
38 Eddie Lucio III D 69% F 0% 91% 21 17% 57.4%
39 Armando Mando Martinez D 100% F 22% 91% 36 20% 60.7%
40 Aaron Peña R 7% C+ 105% 90% 57 24% 75%
41 Veronica Gonzales D 100% F 0% 94% 18 8% 51.8%
42 Richard Pena Raymond D 97% F 0% 94% 32 20% 64.3%
43 Jose Manuel Lozano D 93% F 96% 83% 39 16% 69.6%
44 John Kuempel R 3% C 100% 66% 67 33% 100%
45 Jason A. Isaac R 3% A+ 104% 81% 75 69% 92.9%
46 Dawnna Dukes D 100% F 0% 97% 16 9% 51.8%
47 Paul Workman R 3% A 120% 69% 76 40% 100%
48 Donna Howard D 93% F 0% 97% 9 4% 42.9%
49 Elliott Naishtat D 100% F 0% 97% 14 8% 53.6%
50 Mark Strama D 73% F 0% 94% 16 9% 60.7%
51 Eddie Rodriguez D 100% F 0% 94% 13 8% 57.1%
52 Larry Gonzales R 0% D 122% 75% 66 37% 98.1%
53 Harvey Hilderbran R 7% C+ 115% 72% 75 36% 92.6%
54 Jimmie Don Aycock R 0% C+ 100% 61% 64 32% 100%
55 Ralph Sheffield R 0% B+ 100% 63% 71 40% 96.4%
56 Charles Doc Anderson R 0% B+ 125% 58% 73 48% 84.6%
57 Marva Beck R 0% B 100% 50% 71 40% 96.4%
58 Rob Orr R 0% B+ 122% 69% 80 40% 96.4%
59 Sid Miller R 0% A+ 162% 47% 79 40% 88.9%
60 Jim Keffer R 0% D+ 94% 73% 72 37% 96.4%
61 Phil King R 0% A+ 140% 63% 82 96% 87.5%
62 Larry Phillips R 0% A+ 107% 61% 82 39% 92.9%
63 Tan Parker R 4% A+ 104% 66% 80 96% 92.9%
64 Myra Crownover R 0% C 91% 69% 66 33% 96.3%
65 Burt Solomons R 7% A 100% 70% 76 33% 100%
66 Van Taylor R 8% A 104% 56% 80 92% 74.1%
67 Jerry Madden R 3% B 119% 71% 77 44% 92.9%
68 Rick Hardcastle R 3% D 100% 75% 64 36% 92.9%
69 Lanham Lyne R 4% D+ 84% 63% 63 36% 94.6%
70 Ken Paxton R 3% A+ 115% 50% 95 96% 82.1%
71 Susan King R 0% C 100% 73% 63 29% 91.1%
72 Drew Darby R 0% C 100% 69% 63 28% 91.1%
73 Doug Miller R 0% C+ 100% 66% 67 36% 96.4%
74 Pete Gallego D 100% F 0% 93% 33 16% 61.1%
75 Chente Quintanilla D 93% F 78% 88% 35 24% 51.8%
76 Naomi Gonzalez D 68% F 0% 94% 18 12% 51.9%
77 Marisa Marquez D 85% F 0% 100% 17 8% 42.3%
78 Dee Margo R 3% F 107% 75% 61 32% 100%
79 Joe Pickett D 89% F 64% 90% 46 29% 64.8%
80 Tracy King D 74% F 0% 75% 46 24% 67.9%
81 Tryon Lewis R 0% C+ 100% 69% 64 48% 100%
82 Tom Craddick R 0% B+ 100% 53% 64 40% 91.1%
83 Charles Perry R 0% A+ 135% 55% 80 92% 92.9%
84 John Frullo R 0% B+ 119% 68% 74 46% 96.4%
85 Jim Landtroop R 3% A+ 135% 52% 84 92% 92.9%
86 John Smithee R 7% C 95% 74% 67 36% 96.2%
87 Walter T. Four Price R 3% C 98% 72% 70 48% 100%
88 Warren Chisum R 0% C+ 129% 69% 71 42% 96.4%
89 Jodie Laubenberg R 3% A+ 135% 50% 84 96% 92.6%
90 Lon Burnam D 100% F 0% 100% 10 8% 50%
91 Kelly Hancock R 0% B+ 94% 59% 80 48% 94.6%
92 Todd Smith R 3% C+ 125% 69% 61 32% 100%
93 Barbara Nash R 7% C 100% 69% 70 36% 98.2%
94 Diane Patrick R 0% D 100% 71% 63 32% 94.4%
95 Marc Veasey D 100% F 0% 96% 20 8% 50%
96 Bill Zedler R 0% A+ 149% 63% 84 96% 85.7%
97 Mark Shelton R 0% C 100% 69% 68 32% 100%
98 Vicki Truitt R 3% C 93% 65% 63 26% 94.2%
99 Charlie Geren R 0% C+ 104% 68% 73 16% 96.4%
100 Eric Johnson D 100% F 0% 94% 26 12% 60.7%
101 Cindy Burkett R 0% B+ 119% 72% 75 88% 91.1%
102 Stefani Carter R 3% A 104% 75% 73 36% 96.4%
103 Rafael Anchia D 100% F 0% 97% 13 12% 51.9%
104 Roberto Alonzo D 100% F 0% 97% 16 8% 50%
105 Linda Harper-Brown R 0% A 125% 48% 67 39% 94%
106 Rodney Anderson R 0% A+ 102% 53% 71 44% 92.6%
107 Kenneth Sheets R 3% A+ 135% 75% 70 36% 96.4%
108 Dan Branch R 0% C+ 91% 73% 67 35% 100%
109 Helen Giddings D 100% F 0% 90% 24 40% 55.4%
110 Barbara Mallory Caraway D 96% F 0% 100% 15 8% 53.6%
111 Yvonne Davis D 100% F 0% 97% 20 8% 51.8%
112 Angie Chen Button R 0% B 104% 66% 66 42% 92.9%
113 Joe Driver R 0% C+ 100% 65% 67 48% 96.3%
114 Will Hartnett R 7% D+ 100% 69% 64 33% 80.4%
115 Jim Jackson R 3% C+ 91% 72% 71 36% 96.4%
116 Trey Martinez Fischer D 100% F 0% 97% 17 8% 55.4%
117 John V. Garza R 4% B+ 104% 59% 73 40% 94.2%
118 Joe Farias D 100% F 0% 94% 19 8% 57.1%
119 Roland Gutierrez D 100% F 0% 97% 16 8% 53.6%
120 Ruth McClendon D 100% F 0% 97% 18 12% 57.4%
121 Joe Straus R N/A N/A N/A N/A SP NA N/A
122 Lyle Larson R 3% D+ 102% 75% 71 36% 96.4%
123 Mike Villarreal D 96% F 0% 86% 20 8% 53.6%
124 José Menéndez D 97% F 0% 91% 32 21% 58.9%
125 Joaquin Castro D 96% F 0% 100% 13 8% 44.4%
126 Patricia Harless R 3% C 102% 68% 64 24% 96.2%
127 Dan Huberty R 3% B 119% 60% 73 44% 92.6%
128 Wayne Smith R 0% D+ 107% 66% 66 40% 92.9%
129 John Davis R 3% F 93% 69% 64 32% 96.4%
130 Allen Fletcher R 3% B+ 107% 63% 80 44% 89.3%
131 Alma Allen D 96% F 0% 97% 21 8% 57.1%
132 Bill Callegari R 0% B+ 120% 59% 65 32% 98.2%
133 Jim Murphy R 0% B+ 142% 66% 70 36% 100%
134 Sarah Davis R 8% C+ 24% 72% 61 36% 100%
135 Gary Elkins R 0% A 100% 59% 79 36% 85.7%
136 Beverly Woolley R 0% D+ 113% 72% 54 30% 100%
137 Scott Hochberg D 97% F 80% 94% 23 8% 64.3%
138 Dwayne Bohac R 8% B 0% 72% 63 33% 94.2%
139 Sylvester Turner D 100% F 0% 91% 21 8% 57.1%
140 Armando Walle D 100% F 0% 97% 17 8% 50%
141 Senfronia Thompson D 97% F 0% 83% 13 12% 51.8%
142 Harold Dutton, Jr. D 96% F 0% 97% 21 8% 50%
143 Ana Hernandez Luna D 100% F 0% 91% 15 8% 55.8%
144 Ken Legler R 0% A 104% 71% 80 44% 92.6%
145 Carol Alvarado D 100% F 0% 100% 16 8% 48.2%
146 Borris L. Miles D N/A F 0% 94% 23 12% 55.8%
147 Garnet Coleman D 100% F 0% N/A 16 12% 50%
148 Jessica Farrar D 100% F 0% 97% 21 8% 48.1%
149 Hubert Vo D 100% F 0% 94% 30 8% 67.9%
150 Debbie Riddle R 3% B+ 104% 72% 79 44% 96.4%
Texas Senate (82nd Session)
Jump to:
House - Senate
District Name Party Texas Watch Empower Texans Texas Right to Life TLCV YCT Texas Eagle Forum Texas Conservative Roundtable
1 Kevin Eltife R N/A C+ 100% 85% 55 52% 100%
2 Bob Deuell R N/A F 113% 81% 58 56% 100%
3 Robert Nichols R N/A C 100% 70% 63 60% 100%
4 Tommy Williams R N/A D+ 150% 81% 60 50% 100%
5 Steve Ogden R N/A F 100% 85% 51 62% 100%
6 Mario Gallegos, Jr. D N/A F 0% 96% 18 36% 68%
7 Dan Patrick R N/A A+ 138% 63% 87 84% 100%
8 Florence Shapiro R N/A B 113% 70% 71 68% 100%
9 Chris Harris R N/A F 100% 78% 63 64% 100%
10 Wendy Davis D N/A F 0% 96% 24 24% 66%
11 Mike Jackson R N/A B 100% 85% 61 64% 100%
12 Jane Nelson R N/A B+ 100% 70% 79 76% 100%
13 Rodney Ellis D N/A F 0% 93% 13 24% 60%
14 Kirk Watson D N/A F 0% 100% 18 20% 68%
15 John Whitmire D N/A F 0% 89% 37 32% 76%
16 John Carona R N/A B+ 125% 85% 60 56% 100%
17 Joan Huffman R N/A A+ 113% 81% 63 60% 100%
18 Glenn Hegar R N/A D+ 150% 81% 63 72% 100%
19 Carlos Uresti D N/A F 100% 93% 30 36% 76%
20 Juan Chuy Hinojosa D N/A F 0% 85% 26 24% 92%
21 Judith Zaffirini D N/A F 38% 96% 24 20% 72%
22 Brian Birdwell R N/A A+ 150% 56% 95 96% 96%
23 Royce West D N/A F 0% 93% 18 20% 72%
24 Troy Fraser R N/A B+ 100% 81% 71 64% 100%
25 Jeff Wentworth R N/A F 0% 89% 42 44% 96%
26 Leticia Van de Putte D N/A F 0% 96% 16 25% 72%
27 Eddie Lucio, Jr. D N/A F 63% 89% 18 36% 75%
28 Robert Duncan R N/A F 100% 85% 47 52% 100%
29 José R. Rodríguez D N/A F 0% 96% 11 20% 64%
30 Craig Estes R N/A F 113% 81% 55 60% 100%
31 Kel Seliger R N/A D+ 100% 85% 50 60% 100%