Overview
Texas elects two senators to the U.S. Senate from Class 1 and Class 2. The next elections for those two seats are scheduled for 2030 and 2026, respectively. As of the most recent update to this page, the current U.S. senators from Texas are Republicans John Cornyn (has held the Class 2 seat since 2002) and Ted Cruz (has held the Class 1 seat since 2013).
The most prominent name on this list is undoubtedly Lyndon B. Johnson, who was a U.S. senator from Texas from 1949 to 1961 and later served as the 37th Vice President (1961 – 1963) and 36th President (1963 – 1969) of the United States. Johnson was also Senate Majority Whip (1951 – 1953), Minority Leader (1953 – 1955), and Majority Leader (1955 – 1961) during his time as senator. Other noteworthy individuals to have been senators from Texas include:
- Sam Houston (1846 – 1859), who twice served as President of the Republic of Texas before Texas joined the United States in 1845 and is the namesake of the city of Houston;
- John H. Reagan (1887 – 1891), one of the few members of the Confederate cabinet during the U.S. Civil War (as Postmaster General and later Treasury Secretary) to hold elected office after 1865;
- Morris Sheppard (1913 – 1941), who served as Senate Minority Whip (1929 – 1933) and was the primary Senate sponsor of the Eighteenth Amendment that (temporarily) established national prohibition of alcohol in the United States;
- John Tower (1961 – 1985), the first Republican senator elected from Texas since the Reconstruction era and later head of the Tower Commission that investigated the Iran-Contra Affair during the Reagan administration;
- Lloyd Bentsen (1971 – 1993), Democratic Party vice-presidential nominee in 1988 and later the first Secretary of the Treasury in the Clinton administration, perhaps best remembered today for his “You’re no Jack Kennedy” quip in a 1988 debate with Indiana senator Dan Quayle.
Directory
Lists of U.S. Senators from Texas: Class 1 | Class 2.
Elections for U.S. Senators from Texas: Coming soon!
U.S. Senators from Texas
List of Class 1 U.S. Senators from Texas
Members of the United States Senate (Class 1) from Texas
Name
Political Party
Dates in Office
Thomas Jefferson Rusk
Date of birth/date of death:
Born December 5 1803. Died July 29 1857.
References:
[1] “Thomas Jefferson Rusk,” Biographical Directory of the United States Congress, 1774–Present, United States Congress, accessed July 24, 2026, https://bioguide.congress.gov/search/bio/R000518.
Democratic Party
February 21 1846 – July 29 1857
James Pinckney Henderson
Date of birth/date of death:
Born March 31 1808. Died June 4 1858.
References:
[1] “James Pinckney Henderson,” Biographical Directory of the United States Congress, 1774–Present, United States Congress, accessed July 25, 2026, https://bioguide.congress.gov/search/bio/H000481.
Democratic Party
November 9 1857 – June 4 1858
Matthias Ward
Date of birth/date of death:
Born October 13 1805. Died October 5 1861.
References:
[1] “Matthias Ward,” Biographical Directory of the United States Congress, 1774–Present, United States Congress, accessed July 25, 2026, https://bioguide.congress.gov/search/bio/W000138.
Democratic Party
September 27 1858 – December 5 1859
Louis Trezevant Wigfall
Date of birth/date of death:
Born April 21 1816. Died February 18 1874.
References:
[1] “Louis Trezevant Wigfall,” Biographical Directory of the United States Congress, 1774–Present, United States Congress, accessed July 25, 2026, https://bioguide.congress.gov/search/bio/W000447.
Democratic Party
December 5 1859 – March 23 1861
The Class 1 Senate seat from Texas was vacant from March 23 1861 until March 30 1870 due to the secession of Texas from the United States.
James Winright Flanagan
Date of birth/date of death:
Born September 5 1805. Died September 28 1887.
References:
[1] “James Winright Flanagan,” Biographical Directory of the United States Congress, 1774–Present, United States Congress, accessed July 29, 2026, https://bioguide.congress.gov/search/bio/F000186.
Republican Party
March 30 1870 – March 3 1875
Samuel Bell Maxey
Date of birth/date of death:
Born March 30 1825. Died August 16 1895.
References:
[1] “Samuel Bell Maxey,” Biographical Directory of the United States Congress, 1774–Present, United States Congress, accessed July 29, 2026, https://bioguide.congress.gov/search/bio/M000265.
Democratic Party
March 4 1875 – March 3 1887
John Henninger Reagan
Date of birth/date of death:
Born October 8 1818. Died March 6 1905.
References:
[1] “John Henninger Reagan,” Biographical Directory of the United States Congress, 1774–Present, United States Congress, accessed May 18, 2026, https://bioguide.congress.gov/search/bio/R000098.
Democratic Party
March 4 1887 – June 10 1891
Horace Chilton
Date of birth/date of death:
Born December 29 1853. Died June 12 1932.
References:
[1] “Horace Chilton,” Biographical Directory of the United States Congress, 1774–Present, United States Congress, accessed July 29, 2026, https://bioguide.congress.gov/search/bio/C000357.
Democratic Party
June 10 1891 – March 22 1892
Roger Quarles Mills
Date of birth/date of death:
Born March 30 1832. Died September 2 1911.
References:
[1] “Roger Quarles Mills,” Biographical Directory of the United States Congress, 1774–Present, United States Congress, accessed May 18, 2026, https://bioguide.congress.gov/search/bio/M000777.
Democratic Party
March 30 1892 – March 3 1899
Charles Allen Culberson
Date of birth/date of death:
Born June 10 1855. Died March 19 1925.
References:
[1] “Charles Allen Culberson,” Biographical Directory of the United States Congress, 1774–Present, United States Congress, accessed July 29, 2026, https://bioguide.congress.gov/search/bio/C000963.
Democratic Party
March 4 1899 – March 3 1923
Earle Bradford Mayfield
Date of birth/date of death:
Born April 12 1881. Died June 23 1964.
References:
[1] “Earle Bradford Mayfield,” Biographical Directory of the United States Congress, 1774–Present, United States Congress, accessed July 29, 2026, https://bioguide.congress.gov/search/bio/M000281.
Democratic Party
March 4 1923 – March 3 1929
Thomas Terry “Tom” Connally
Date of birth/date of death:
Born August 19 1877. Died October 28 1963.
References:
[1] “Thomas Terry (Tom) Connally,” Biographical Directory of the United States Congress, 1774–Present, United States Congress, accessed June 12, 2026, https://bioguide.congress.gov/search/bio/C000684.
Democratic Party
March 4 1929 – January 3 1953
Marion Price Daniel, Sr.
Date of birth/date of death:
Born October 10 1910. Died August 25 1988.
References:
[1] “Marion Price Daniel,” Biographical Directory of the United States Congress, 1774–Present, United States Congress, accessed July 29, 2026, https://bioguide.congress.gov/search/bio/D000036.
Democratic Party
January 3 1953 – January 14 1957
William Arvis “Dollar Bill” Blakley
Date of birth/date of death:
Born November 17 1898. Died January 5 1976.
References:
[1] “William Arvis Blakley,” Biographical Directory of the United States Congress, 1774–Present, United States Congress, accessed July 29, 2026, https://bioguide.congress.gov/search/bio/B000536.
Democratic Party
January 15 1957 – April 28 1957
Ralph Webster Yarborough
Date of birth/date of death:
Born June 8 1903. Died January 27 1996.
References:
[1] “Ralph Webster Yarborough,” Biographical Directory of the United States Congress, 1774–Present, United States Congress, accessed July 29, 2026, https://bioguide.congress.gov/search/bio/Y000006.
Democratic Party
April 29 1957 – January 3 1971
Lloyd Millard Bentsen, Jr.
Date of birth/date of death:
Born February 11 1921. Died May 23 2006.
References:
[1] “Lloyd Millard Bentsen, Jr.,” Biographical Directory of the United States Congress, 1774–Present, United States Congress, accessed June 26, 2026, https://bioguide.congress.gov/search/bio/B000401.
Democratic Party
January 3 1971 – January 20 1993
Robert Charles “Bob” Krueger
Date of birth/date of death:
Born September 19 1935. Died April 30 2022.
References:
[1] “Robert Charles Krueger,” Biographical Directory of the United States Congress, 1774–Present, United States Congress, accessed July 5, 2026, https://bioguide.congress.gov/search/bio/K000333.
Democratic Party
January 21 1993 – June 14 1993
Kay Bailey Hutchison
Date of birth/date of death:
Born July 22 1943.
References:
[1] “Kathryn Ann Bailey (Kay) Hutchison,” Biographical Directory of the United States Congress, 1774–Present, United States Congress, accessed July 29, 2026, https://bioguide.congress.gov/search/bio/H001016.
Republican Party
June 14 1993 – January 3 2013
Rafael Edward “Ted” Cruz
Date of birth/date of death:
Born December 22 1970.
References:
[1] “Rafael Edward (Ted) Cruz,” Biographical Directory of the United States Congress, 1774–Present, United States Congress, accessed July 29, 2026, https://bioguide.congress.gov/search/bio/C001098.
Republican Party
January 3 2013 – present
Class 2 U.S. Senators from Texas
Members of the United States Senate (Class 2) from Texas
Name
Political Party
Dates in Office
Samuel “Sam” Houston
Date of birth/date of death:
Born March 2 1793. Died July 26 1863.
References:
[1] “Samuel Houston,” Biographical Directory of the United States Congress, 1774–Present, United States Congress, accessed August 11, 2026, https://bioguide.congress.gov/search/bio/H000827.
Democratic Party
American (Know-Nothing) Party
February 21 1846 – March 3 1855
March 4 1855 – March 3 1859
John Hemphill
Date of birth/date of death:
Born December 18 1803. Died January 4 1862.
References:
[1] “John Hemphill,” Biographical Directory of the United States Congress, 1774–Present, United States Congress, accessed August 10, 2026, https://bioguide.congress.gov/search/bio/H000468.
Democratic Party
March 4 1859 – July 11 1861
The Class 1 Senate seat from Texas was vacant from July 11 1861 until March 31 1870 due to the secession of Texas from the United States.
Morgan Calvin Hamilton
Date of birth/date of death:
Born February 25 1809. Died November 21 1893.
References:
[1] “Morgan Calvin Hamilton,” Biographical Directory of the United States Congress, 1774–Present, United States Congress, accessed August 10, 2026, https://bioguide.congress.gov/search/bio/H000115.
Republican Party
Liberal Republican Party
Republican Party
March 31 1870 – May 1872
May 1872 – November 1872
November 1872 – March 3 1877
Richard Coke
Date of birth/date of death:
Born March 18 1829. Died May 14 1897.
References:
[1] “Richard Coke,” Biographical Directory of the United States Congress, 1774–Present, United States Congress, accessed August 10, 2026, https://bioguide.congress.gov/search/bio/C000601.
Democratic Party
March 4 1877 – March 3 1895
Horace Chilton
Date of birth/date of death:
Born December 29 1853. Died June 12 1932.
References:
[1] “Horace Chilton,” Biographical Directory of the United States Congress, 1774–Present, United States Congress, accessed July 29, 2026, https://bioguide.congress.gov/search/bio/C000357.
Democratic Party
March 4 1895 – March 3 1901
Joseph Weldon Bailey, Sr.
Date of birth/date of death:
Born October 6 1862. Died April 13 1929.
References:
[1] “Joseph Weldon Bailey,” Biographical Directory of the United States Congress, 1774–Present, United States Congress, accessed June 3, 2026, https://bioguide.congress.gov/search/bio/B000044.
Democratic Party
March 4 1901 – January 3 1913
Rienzi Melville Johnston
Date of birth/date of death:
Born September 9 1849. Died February 28 1926.
References:
[1] “Rienzi Melville Johnston,” Biographical Directory of the United States Congress, 1774–Present, United States Congress, accessed August 10, 2026, https://bioguide.congress.gov/search/bio/J000196.
Democratic Party
January 4 1913 – January 29 1913
John Morris Sheppard
Date of birth/date of death:
Born May 28 1875. Died April 9 1941.
References:
[1] “Morris Sheppard,” Biographical Directory of the United States Congress, 1774–Present, United States Congress, accessed April 16, 2026, https://bioguide.congress.gov/search/bio/S000337.
Democratic Party
February 3 1913 – April 9 1941
Andrew Jackson Houston
Date of birth/date of death:
Born June 21 1854. Died June 26 1941.
References:
[1] “Andrew Jackson Houston,” Biographical Directory of the United States Congress, 1774–Present, United States Congress, accessed August 10, 2026, https://bioguide.congress.gov/search/bio/H000821.
Democratic Party
April 21 1941 – June 26 1941
Wilbert Lee “Pappy” O’Daniel
Date of birth/date of death:
Born March 11 1890. Died May 11 1969.
References:
[1] “Wilbert Lee (Pappy) O’Daniel,” Biographical Directory of the United States Congress, 1774–Present, United States Congress, accessed August 10, 2026, https://bioguide.congress.gov/search/bio/O000034.
Democratic Party
August 4 1941 – January 3 1949
Lyndon Baines Johnson
Date of birth/date of death:
Born August 27 1908. Died January 22 1973.
References:
[1] “Lyndon Baines Johnson,” Biographical Directory of the United States Congress, 1774–Present, United States Congress, accessed June 11, 2026, https://bioguide.congress.gov/search/bio/J000160.
Democratic Party
January 3 1949 – January 3 1961
William Arvis “Dollar Bill” Blakley
Date of birth/date of death:
Born November 17 1898. Died January 5 1976.
References:
[1] “William Arvis Blakley,” Biographical Directory of the United States Congress, 1774–Present, United States Congress, accessed July 29, 2026, https://bioguide.congress.gov/search/bio/B000536.
Democratic Party
January 3 1961 – June 14 1961
John Goodwin Tower
Date of birth/date of death:
Born September 29 1925. Died April 5 1991.
References:
[1] “John Goodwin Tower,” Biographical Directory of the United States Congress, 1774–Present, United States Congress, accessed August 10, 2026, https://bioguide.congress.gov/search/bio/T000322.
Republican Party
June 15 1961 – January 3 1985
William Philip “Phil” Gramm
Date of birth/date of death:
Born July 8 1942.
References:
[1] “William Philip (Phil) Gramm,” Biographical Directory of the United States Congress, 1774–Present, United States Congress, accessed June 6, 2026, https://bioguide.congress.gov/search/bio/G000365.
Republican Party
January 3 1985 – November 30 2002
John Cornyn III
Date of birth/date of death:
Born February 2 1952.
References:
[1] “John Cornyn,” Biographical Directory of the United States Congress, 1774–Present, United States Congress, accessed August 10, 2026, https://bioguide.congress.gov/search/bio/c001056.
Republican Party
December 2 2002 – present