Every presidential race in the last 50 years has included at least one candidate from Texas, reflecting the Lone Star state’s political importance.

But that streak may be coming to an end in 2024.

What You Need To Know

  • Every presidential race in the last 50 years has included at least one candidate from Texas, but that streak may be coming to an end in 2024

  • Since 1953, four men who were born or lived in Texas have become president and many others from the state have sought the job

  • Texas Sen. Ted Cruz, who ran for president in 2016, says he's focused on re-election to the Senate next year; In a recent interview with Spectrum News, Gov. Greg Abbott sidestepped a question about whether his border policies set him up for a presidential bid

  • Weighing on potential Republican contenders is former President Donald Trump’s decision to launch a third White House bid, as well as the potential likelihood that Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis runs as well

Since 1953, four men who were born or lived in Texas have become president and many others from the state have sought the job.

“Texas is, if it was on its own, among the top 25 economies of the entire world if it was own country,” said Jeffrey Engel, founding director of Southern Methodist University’s Center for Presidential History.

“So obviously the person who runs that state gets a lot of experience or at the very least gets a lot of credit for having a lot of experience,” he added. 

The 2024 presidential race has taken shape, but for the first time since 1972, it is possible that no Texan will enter the ring. 

“I’d be extremely disappointed if that turns out to be the case,” George Seay, finance chairman for then-Texas Gov. Rick Perry’s 2012 presidential campaign and senior adviser to Florida Sen. Marco Rubio’s 2016 campaign, told Spectrum News. “Texas represents the country super well.”

“We’ve had a lot of characters as governor or senator over the years, and I think that they played well on the national stage,” Seay, the founder and chairman of Annandale Capital, added. “George W. Bush had a huge personality, Lyndon Johnson an even bigger personality.” 

Texas Sen. Ted Cruz’s White House ambitions are no secret, but after failing to win the GOP nomination in 2016, he says he’s focused on re-election next year.

Former Texas Rep. Will Hurd, R-Texas, recently traveled to early primary state New Hampshire, sparking speculation that he might run for president. He recently told Fox News of the visit to the Granite State, “I always have an open mind about how to serve my country.”

As for the Democrats, Beto O’Rourke’s and former House and Urban Development Sec. Julian Castro’s candidacies fell short in 2020, and their bench in the state is thin.

In a recent interview with Spectrum News, Gov. Greg Abbott sidestepped a question about whether his border policies set him up for a presidential bid.  

“I’m focused only on this session this year and only on the state of Texas,” Seay, who also supported Mitt Romney’s campaign for president, told Karina Kling on “Capitol Tonight” last week. 

Seay told Spectrum News that he hopes Abbott runs next year, or at least gets a cabinet position.

“Texas is now the second largest state… and we’re gonna pass California in 20, 30 years, so the leader of Texas should be a presidential candidate every cycle. That’s not always the case, but it should be,” Seay told Spectrum News.

Weighing on potential Republican contenders is former President Donald Trump’s decision to launch a third White House bid, as well as the potential likelihood that Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis runs as well. Regardless, any candidate will have to go through Texas.  

“It’s just a function of Texas in size and the centrality of Texas to the national economy that really makes it a center place for whoever is running for president, whether from Texas or not, you really do have to come through this state either to get support or to open your wallet,” said Engel.