1978Final results
1978 election for Texas's 5th District
U.S. House · Texas
Jim Mattox (D) won with 50.3% of the vote, defeating Tom Pauken (R) by 1.2 points.
Jim MattoxDemocrat · winner
50.3%35,524
Tom PaukenRepublican
49.1%34,672
James Michael WhiteSocialist Workers
0.6%397
70,593 votes
Source: MIT Election Data and Science LabUpdated Sep 30, 2026, 7:25 AM ET
The seat over time
D − R margin in this seat's races around 1978
Races before and after
Source: MIT Election Data and Science LabUpdated Sep 30, 2026, 7:25 AM ET