Texas has had at least three congressional districts since 1869. The current seat dates from a mid-decade redistricting conducted before the 1966 elections after Texas's original 1960s map was thrown out by Wesberry v. Sanders. In past configurations, it has been one of the most Republican districts in both Texas and the Dallas–Fort Worth metroplex. The GOP has held the seat since a 1968 special election. The district's current congressman is Keith Self.
As of the 2010 census, the 3rd district represents 765,486 people who are predominantly middle-to-upper-class (median family income is US$80,912). The district is 59.1 percent White (non-Hispanic), 15.06 percent Hispanic or Latino (of any race), 13 percent Asian, and 8.9 percent Black or African American.[4]
From 1967 to 2013, the district included large portions of Dallas County. Eventually, the 3rd covered much of northern Dallas County, including Garland, Rowlett and much of northern Dallas itself. It was pushed into Collin County in 1983. Since then, Collin County's rapid growth resulted in the district's share of Dallas County being gradually reduced. After redistricting in 2012, the Dallas County portion of the district was removed altogether. However, it still includes the Dallas precincts located in Collin County.[5]
2021 redistricting
From 2013 to 2021, the district represented suburban areas north and northeast of Dallas. It encompassed much of Collin County, including McKinney, Plano, and the majority of Frisco, as well as a portion of the city of Dallas. The district was also home to the public college Collin College, and the Frisco campus of the University of North Texas.
After redistricting in 2021, the Dallas and Richardson portions of the district were removed, as well as much of Plano and Frisco. The Richardson portion of the district was transferred to District 32, while the Plano, Dallas, and Frisco portions were given to District 4. In return, District 3 was expanded eastward to encompass most of Hunt County.[6]
The incumbent representative, Sam Johnson, decided not to run for reelection in 2018, after having represented Texas's 3rd since 1991. His stated reason for retiring was that "the Lord has made clear that the season of my life in Congress is coming to an end".[11]
^"DistrictViewer". dvr.capitol.texas.gov. Retrieved January 20, 2022.
^Bland, Scott; Cheney, Kyle (January 6, 2017). "Texas Rep. Sam Johnson announces he won't run for re-election". Politico. Retrieved August 8, 2017.
^"District Population Analysis with County Subtotals | CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICTS - PLANC2100" (PDF). Capitol Data Portal. Texas Legislative Council. August 26, 2021. Archived (PDF) from the original on June 27, 2022. Retrieved January 1, 2023.
^"District Population Analysis with County Subtotals | CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICTS - PLANC2193" (PDF). Capitol Data Portal. Texas Legislative Council. October 17, 2021. Archived (PDF) from the original on December 25, 2022. Retrieved January 1, 2023.
^ a b c d e f"Texas Election Results". Texas Secretary of State. Retrieved December 5, 2018.
^Leslie, Katie (January 2017). "Plano Rep. Sam Johnson to retire when term ends in 2018". The Dallas Morning News. Retrieved July 2, 2019.
Martis, Kenneth C. (1989). The Historical Atlas of Political Parties in the United States Congress. New York: Macmillan Publishing Company.
Martis, Kenneth C. (1982). The Historical Atlas of United States Congressional Districts. New York: Macmillan Publishing Company.
Congressional Biographical Directory of the United States 1774–present
Texas Secretary of State 2010 General Election Statewide Race Summary