Morales, who never ran for public office before, pulled a major upset in the primary by defeating three politicians: U.S.

Congressman Jim Chapman, and former State Supreme Court litigator John Odam.

He became the first minority in Texas history to become a United States Senate nominee from either major party.

Despite having no staff, raising only $15,000, and not accepting any special interest money he obtained 2.5 million votes.

[3] Exit Polls showed that Gramm performed well with Anglos (68% to 31%), while Morales won African Americans (79% to 19%) and Latinos (79% to 20%) respectively.