Following the 2000 elections, the Republicans maintained effective control of the Senate with sixteen members to the Democrats' fifteen.

To claim control of the chamber from Republicans, the Democrats needed to gain one seat.

[2][3] During the 2001 regular session, the divided legislature failed to pass any redistricting plans.

[4] The task then fell to the Legislative Redistricting Board after Republican governor Rick Perry did not call a special session.

In addition to their victory in the concurrent elections for the Texas House, Republicans won a government trifecta for the first time since Reconstruction.