Robert Lloyd Duncan (born August 5, 1953) is an American attorney and politician who served as the fourth chancellor of the Texas Tech University System, serving from 2014 to 2018. A Republican, he previously served as a member of both houses of the Texas State Legislature.

Duncan served in the Texas State Senate from the 28th district, centered about Lubbock, from 1996, when he won a special election, until his resignation in July 2014, when he was named chancellor of the Texas Tech system. He previously served in the Texas House of Representatives from District 84 from his election in 1992 until 1996. On May 19, 2014, the Texas Tech University System Board of Regents named Duncan the sole finalist to succeed former U.S. Representative Kent Hance as the system chancellor.[1]

Early life and education

Duncan is the only son of the five children of Frank L. Duncan, a district conservationist for the U.S. Department of Agriculture in Vernon, and the former Robena Formby. Duncan holds bachelor's and law degrees from Texas Tech University.[2]

Career

Duncan was a partner at the Lubbock firm of Crenshaw Dupree & Milam, L.L.P. for 25 years, and is now of counsel for the firm.[3] In January 2025, the office of Texas House Speaker Dustin Burrows announced that Duncan would be joining his team to serve as Chief of Staff. [4]

Personal life

Duncan is married to the former Terri Patterson. He has two children from his first marriage to the former Lynne Stebbins, Lindsey and Matthew Duncan.[5]

Election history

Senate election history of Duncan.[6]

Most recent election

2004

Texas general election, 2004: Senate District 28[7]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Republican Robert Duncan (Incumbent) 176,588 100.00 +8.68
Majority 176,588 100.00 +17.37
Turnout 176,588 +34.85
Republican hold

Previous elections

2002

Texas general election, 2002: Senate District 28[8]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Republican Robert Duncan (Incumbent) 119,580 91.32 −8.68
Libertarian Jon Ensor 11,372 8.8 +8.68
Majority 108,208 82.63 −17.37
Turnout 130,952 +58.98
Republican hold

1998

Texas general election, 1998: Senate District 28[9]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Republican Robert Duncan (Incumbent) 82,368 100.00 +64.21
Majority 82,368 100.00 +71.58
Turnout 82,368 −32.78
Republican hold

1996

Special Election Runoff: Senate District 28, Unexpired term[10]
December 10, 1996
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Republican Robert Duncan 32,489 56.82 '"`UNIQ−−ref−00000024−QINU`"'+26.42
Democratic David R. Langston 24,686 43.18 +18.89
Majority 7,803 13.65
Turnout 57,175
Republican gain from Democratic
Special Election: Senate District 28, Unexpired term[10]
November 2, 1996
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Republican Dick Bowen 3,938 2.65
Republican Robert Duncan 45,106 30.41
Republican Monte Hasie of Lubbock 13,303 8.97
Republican Tim Lambert of Lubbock 18,885 12.73
Democratic David R. Langston of Lubbock 36,032 24.29
Democratic Lorenzo "Bubba" Sedeno 12,419 8.37
Democratic Gary L. Watkins of Odessa 18,652 12.57
Turnout 148,335

References

  1. ^ Ursch, Blake (May 19, 2014). "Duncan named sole finalist for Texas Tech chancellor". Lubbock Avalanche-Journal. Retrieved May 20, 2014.
  2. ^ "Crenshaw Dupree & Milam, L.L.P., Robert L. Duncan, (last accessed Sept. 21, 2009)".
  3. ^ "Robert L. Duncan, Crenshaw, Dupree & Milam". Retrieved February 11, 2025.
  4. ^ "Burrows announces senior staff, including former TTU Chancellor Robert Duncan". Retrieved February 11, 2025.
  5. ^ "Senator Robert Duncan's Biography". votesmart.org. Retrieved October 3, 2013.
  6. ^ Uncontested primary elections are not shown.
  7. ^ "2004 General Election". Office of the Secretary of State (Texas). Archived from the original on January 9, 2014. Retrieved January 5, 2007.
  8. ^ "2002 General Election". Office of the Secretary of State (Texas). Archived from the original on January 9, 2014. Retrieved January 5, 2007.
  9. ^ "1998 General Election". Office of the Secretary of State (Texas). Archived from the original on January 9, 2014. Retrieved January 5, 2007.
  10. ^ a b "1996 November Special Election". Office of the Secretary of State (Texas). Archived from the original on January 9, 2014. Retrieved January 5, 2007.
  11. ^ Change from special election
Academic offices
Preceded by Chancellor of Texas Tech University System
2014
Incumbent
Texas House of Representatives
Preceded by Member of the Texas House of Representatives
from District 84 (Lubbock)

1988–1993
Succeeded by
Texas Senate
Preceded by Texas State Senator
from District 28 (Lubbock)

1996-2014
Succeeded by
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