AUSTIN (January 24, 2013)--Members of the Texas Senate drew lots to determine whether their terms will expire in two years or four years and the results were mixed for area lawmakers.
State Sen. Charles Schwertner, R-Georgetown, whose district includes Freestone, Leon, Limestone and Milam Counties, will face re-election in 2014.
State Sens. Brian Birdwell, R-Granbury and Troy Fraser, R-Horseshoe Bay, won’t run again until 2016.
Birdwell represents Falls, Hill and McLennan Counties in Central Texas and Fraser’s district includes Bell, Coryell, Lampasas, Mills and San Saba Counties.
The once-a-decade exercise happens after redistricting forces all 31 senators to stand for election in the same year.
Drawing lots allows the senators to stagger terms for the next 10 years.
The senators drew envelopes with pieces of paper numbered one to 31 from a large glass bowl at the front of the chamber.
Odd numbers meant four-year terms, while even numbers meant two-year terms.
The draw included the currently vacant Houston district previously held by the late Sen. Mario Gallegos, who died shortly before the 2012 general election.
Republicans hold a 19-12 majority in the Senate.
The Full List
Two Year Term,
John Carona, R-Dallas
Donna Campbell, R-San Marcos
Wendy Davis, D-Fort Worth
Robert Duncan, R-Lubbock
Craig Estes, R-Wichita Falls
Kelly Hancock, R-Fort Worth
Joan Huffman, R-Southside Place
Robert Nichols, R-Jacksonville
Dan Patrick, R-Houston
Ken Paxton, R-McKinney
Charles Schwertner, R-Georgetown
Kel Seliger, R-Amarillo
Leticia Van De Putte, D-San Antonio
Kirk Watson, D-Austin
Royce West, D-Dallas
John Whitmire, D-Houston
Tommy Williams, R-The Woodlands
Judith Zaffirini, D-Laredo
Four Year Terms
Brian Birdwell, R-Granbury
Bob Deuell, R-Greenville
Rodney Ellis, D-Houston
Kevin Eltife, R-Tyler
Troy Fraser, R-Horsehoe Bay
Glenn Hegar, R-Katy
Chuy Hinojosa, D-McAllen
Eddie Lucio, D-Brownsville
Jane Nelson, R-Flower Mound
Jose Rodriguez, D-El Paso
Larry Taylor, R-Galveston
Carlos Uresti, D-San Antonio
