Changes

In 2000, Republican State Representative Todd Staples, now the Texas Agriculture Commissioner, was elected to the District 3 seat in the Texas State Senate. Hopson, as a Democrat was elected to succeed Staples. Nine years later on November 6, 2009, Hopson switched to GOP affiliation. He then secured his sixth term and his first as a Republican in 2010. His defection in 2009 made him the 77th Republican representative, then a majority by two seats. In January 2011, Hopson became one of 101 members of the GOP delegation, as the party gained a two-thirds majority in the 2010 general election.[3]

In 2000, Republican State Representative Todd Staples, now the Texas Agriculture Commissioner, was elected to the District 3 seat in the Texas State Senate. Hopson, as a Democrat was elected to succeed Staples. Nine years later on November 6, 2009, Hopson switched to GOP affiliation. He then secured his sixth term and his first as a Republican in 2010. His defection in 2009 made him the 77th Republican representative, then a majority by two seats. In January 2011, Hopson became one of 101 members of the GOP delegation, as the party gained a two-thirds majority in the 2010 general election.[3]

In explaining his party switch, Hopson said that his East Texas district does not share the philosophy of U.S. President Barack H. Obama. The lawmaker said, "I believe in democracy and respect its process." Texas state Democratic Chairman Boyd Ritchie, an attorney from Young County, replied to Hopson: "It takes strength and integrity to stand against the special interest. And while some members have that strength, others like Chuck Hopson, apparently do not." Joe Straus of San Antonio, the Speaker of the Texas House of Representatives, described Hopson as an "outstanding public servant who fights hard for his East Texas constituents."[4]

In explaining his party switch, Hopson said that his East Texas district does not share the philosophy of U.S. President [[Barack H. Obama]]. The lawmaker said, "I believe in democracy and respect its process." Texas state Democratic Chairman Boyd Ritchie, an attorney from Young County, replied to Hopson: "It takes strength and integrity to stand against the special interest. And while some members have that strength, others like Chuck Hopson, apparently do not." [[Joe Straus]] of San Antonio, the Speaker of the Texas House of Representatives, described Hopson as an "outstanding public servant who fights hard for his East Texas constituents."[4]

In his first general election as a Democrat to succeed Todd Staples, Hopson defeated Republican Paul S. Woodard, Jr., 21,991 votes (53 percent) to 19,459 (47 percent).[5] Republicans did not challenge Hopson in 2002, but in November 2004, the Republican Mike Alberts received 24,123 votes (47.3 percent) in District 11 to Hopson's 26,885 (52.7 percent).[6] In 2006, in a lower-turnout general election, Republican Larry K. Durrett, also of Jacksonville, garnered 15,918 votes (46.1 percent) to Hopson's 17,603 (51 percent). Libertarian Paul "Blue" Story held the remaining 998 votes (2.9 percent).[7]

In his first general election as a Democrat to succeed Todd Staples, Hopson defeated Republican Paul S. Woodard, Jr., 21,991 votes (53 percent) to 19,459 (47 percent).[5] Republicans did not challenge Hopson in 2002, but in November 2004, the Republican Mike Alberts received 24,123 votes (47.3 percent) in District 11 to Hopson's 26,885 (52.7 percent).[6] In 2006, in a lower-turnout general election, Republican Larry K. Durrett, also of Jacksonville, garnered 15,918 votes (46.1 percent) to Hopson's 17,603 (51 percent). Libertarian Paul "Blue" Story held the remaining 998 votes (2.9 percent).[7]