Robert L. Duncan

For other people named Robert Duncan, see Robert Duncan (disambiguation).

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 from 2014 to 2018. A Republican, he previously served as a member of both houses of the Texas State Legislature.

Robert Lloyd Duncan
4th Chancellor of the Texas Tech University System
In office July 7, 2014 – August 31, 2018
Preceded by	Kent Hance
Succeeded by	Tedd L. Mitchell
Member of the Texas Senate from the 28th district
In office January 1997 – July 6, 2014
Preceded by	John T. Montford
Succeeded by	Charles Perry
Member of the Texas House of Representatives from the 84th district
In office January 1989 – January 1993
Preceded by	Warren Chisum
Succeeded by	Carl Isett
Personal details
Born	(1953-08-05) August 5, 1953 (age 72) Vernon, Texas, U.S.
Political party	Republican
Children	2
Residence(s)	Lubbock, Texas, U.S.
Education	Texas Tech University (BA, JD)

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 graduated from Vernon High School in 1971, and obtained a bachelor degree in agricultural economics from Texas Tech University,^[1] where he was elected student senator and student body president.^[2] He also obtained a Juris Doctor degree from Texas Tech law school.^[3]

Career

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.^[4] He resigned his role as chancellor in 2018.^[5]

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.^[6] 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. ^[7]

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.^[8]

Election history

Senate election history of Duncan.^[9]

Most recent election

2004

Texas general election, 2004: Senate District 28^[10]

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^[11]

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^[12]

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^[13]
December 10, 1996

Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%
	Republican	Robert Duncan	32,489	56.82	'"`UNIQ−−ref−00000041−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^[13]
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