Texas leaders react to 2024 election results
AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Millions of Texans cast their ballots in the 2024 general election, which rounded out with former President Donald Trump winning the race for the nation's top office.
Political leaders across the nation and world have expressed mixed reactions to Trump's victory, but many of Texas' top leaders are celebrating and congratulating the former president on his victory.
Texas leaders also had their eyes on down ballot races like the battle between Republican Sen. Ted Cruz and Congressman Colin Allred for Texas' seat in the U.S. Senate.
Several Texas leaders have taken to social media or issued press releases Wednesday to express their reactions to the 2024 election results. Some of those are below:
Governor Greg Abbott
Gov. Greg Abbott congratulated Trump and JD Vance on their victory in the 2024 presidential election. Abbott's office sent the following statement in a press release Wednesday:
“Tonight, the American people rejected Kamala Harris’ failed agenda of open borders, skyrocketing inflation, and anti-energy policies for an agenda that will put Americans first. President Donald Trump's victory ensures that America’s future will be brighter and more prosperous than ever. The Trump-Vance Administration will cement America’s energy dominance, crack down on crime, secure our borders, and restore American strength, prosperity, and success once again. I look forward to working with President Trump to secure the border and make America great again.”
Gov. Abbott
Gov. Abbott also made several posts on X about Trump's victory. Abbott also spotlighted Republican House candidates who supported his school choice plan, noting that "most of them won."
Abbott's focus of one post was geared mostly toward his push for passing school choice.
"Every candidate that I backed in Texas House general election races won tonight. We even had Republican candidates win seats that had been held by Democrats," the post read. "There are more than enough votes to pass school choice in Texas."
George W. Bush
Former President and former Texas Gov. George W. Bush congratulated Trump and JD Vance.
Bush issued the following statement in a press release:
I congratulate President Trump on his election as 47th President of the United States of America, as well as Vice President-elect J.D. Vance and their families.
George W. Bush
I also thank President Biden and Vice President Harris for their service to our country.
The strong turnout in this election is a sign of the health of our republic and the strength of our democratic institutions. Laura and I are grateful to the election officials, poll workers, and volunteers who oversaw a free, fair, safe, and secure election.
We join our fellow citizens in praying for the success of our new leaders at all levels of government. May God continue to bless our great country.
Bush's office in September told NBC News he did not plan to endorse a candidate for president, and members of his family have also spoken out against Trump, including his daughter's support for Vice President Kamala Harris' presidential campaign.
Bush's former vice president, Dick Cheney, also backed Harris in the November election.
Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton
Attorney General Ken Paxton took to social media to congratulate Trump and Vance as well as several conservative Texas House candidates who won their seats.
Paxton posted a lengthy statement on X just before 1 a.m. Wednesday morning, calling Texas a "bastion of unwavering conservative values and a firewall against the radical left."
The statement said in part, "of course, we celebrate President Trump’s strong win in Texas, showing yet again that Texans support a true fighter who puts America First. And let me personally congratulate Senator Ted Cruz on his hard-fought re-election victory, standing firm for Texas in the U.S. Senate."
"Tonight’s results remind us that Texas is a conservative stronghold and always will be," the statement continued. "Together, we are taking a stand for our values, and we are ready to keep fighting to preserve the Texas we love for generations to come. The tide of true conservatism is sweeping through our state, and we are just getting started."
Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick
Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick was very active on his X account Tuesday and Wednesday, congratulating candidates in several races across Texas on their wins.
The Texas lieutenant governor congratulated Trump and Vance as well as Cruz on their victories.
"Congratulations to President @realDonaldTrump for his biggest-ever win in Texas," Patrick said in one post. "When I saw him in Austin last week, I told him he would win Texas by a million votes or more, and he has. We had a great talk this morning."
In another post, Patrick congratulated Cruz on his re-election to Texas' US Senate seat.
"Congratulations, Senator @tedcruz, on your re-election! I know you will continue to represent the State of Texas well in the U.S. Senate."
Commissioner of the Texas Department of Agriculture Sid Miller
Commissioner Sid Miller also congratulated Trump and Cruz in separate posts.
"Last night was a once in a lifetime experience for me personally, and for our nation," one post said. "Thank you @realDonaldTrump for standing between us and the forces of oppression and division."
"It's time to roll up our sleeves and make America great again!" Miller said in another post.
In a separate post, Miller congratulated Cruz. "Congratulations @tedcruz on a resounding victory for the US Senate. Texas is still Texas and will be for a long, long time to come!"