1986Final results
1986 election for Texas's 6th District
U.S. House · Texas
Joe Barton (R) won with 55.8% of the vote, defeating Pete Geren (D) by 11.6 points.
Joe BartonRepublican · winner
55.8%86,190
Pete GerenDemocrat
44.2%68,270
154,460 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 1986
Races before and after
Source: MIT Election Data and Science LabUpdated Sep 30, 2026, 7:25 AM ET
Money in this race
Each line compares the two campaigns on one scale.
Pete GerenJoe Barton
$897.2K
Raised by the campaign
$1M
$895.7K
Spent by the campaign
$1M
$1.4K
Cash on hand
$11.7K
Campaign money: FEC, through Dec 31, 1986.
Source: FEC campaign filingsUpdated Dec 31, 1986