Texas Political History : The State Of Texas

Texas is currently dominated by the Republican culture with a popular belief in conservatism that has lasted for many years. Democratic and Liberal groups are also present in the Texas but play as the minorities. Although demographics through the years show that a change in the dominant party could very well be eminent, Texas remains a red state for the time being. Currently the population is estimated at 24.5 million and is dominantly Anglo with minorities including African American, and Hispanic. In the coming years though, it is estimated to change where as the Hispanic population will surpass become the new majority.

States’ rights, the fight for the unborn and their right to life, and resistance to gun legislation, tend to be some of the top issues for conservative Texas voters. The last time a Democrat carried the state of Texas was in 1976, when Jimmy Carter won the Presidential election. During the 2004 presidential election, then President and Republican candidate, George W. Bush, won with 61.09% against 38.30% votes for the Democratic candidate John Kerry. However, in the more recent Presidential elections that were held in 2008 and in 2012, the very popular Democratic candidate, Barack Obama, did not win the majority vote for Texas. Thus, looking at this information, it can be said that the state of Texas tends to lean more towards the Republican side.

Texas has a rich history that stretches as far back as 1824, where Mexico provided land grants to encourage its settlement. Such influences had immeasurable effect on its constitution and culture. Texas has been influenced throughout its history, it applies a separate set of rules to follow in its own constitution. It limits its own legislature and constantly argues against the power of national government, which reflexes Texas’ own unique perspective about its history and culture. Texas’ prevailing traditionalistic political culture has resisted social change through legislation, the argument of state’s rights and culturally.

After joining the US in 1845, Texas quickly adapted as a democratic state. Many people who came to live in Texas migrated from other Southern states, where democratic idealism had already been strongly established. As a quintessential Southern state, Texas would adhere to the Southern way of doing things. Campbell goes on to write, “Leadership by slaveholders meant that politics during the early statehood years operated within what should be called a southern consensus. No one could criticize slavery or slave-based agriculture and expect to receive support at the polls; indeed, to be accused of holding anti-slavery views was a political death sentence … The southern consensus in Texas played a key role in creating the state’s tradition

Texas was loyal to Democratic Party for a long period of time due to a number of reasons. First, it has to be recognized that Democratic Party played pivotal role in political development of Texas dating back to the time when the white Americans first settled there. This made Texan Democrats evolve from a loose political association into an organized party. Another reason why Texas remained a stronghold of the Democratic Party was the unavailability of a second party to rival them throughout much of the state's history (Alwyn, 1971). Democratic Party was the only viable party in Texas from 1836 up to 1952. This made them dominate politics at all levels. Politics in Texas revolved around personalities rather than political parties (Alwyn, 1971).

Texas: For many and many that sit down and speak on Texas and its politics see that Republicans run everything to see how everything that the President promotes they reject and are successful. The cost of living, the assistance giving to the needy

To truly determine if Texas will eventually become a Democratic state people must first look at the new generation of voters.

Whether or not there is a legitimate reason for Republicans to worry about states like Texas leaning Democratic because of their minority, including Hispanic, populations, may depend largely on the level of political engagement of these groups. Increasing voter registration and turnout is a decidedly mixed proposition for the Republicans: if past is prologue, Latinos tend to vote Democrat so that in order for Republicans to prevail in elections, they must either launch an aggressive campaign to win over Latinos, or try to suppress the Latino vote so that there will be fewer votes for Democrats. For Texas, its electoral future depends on whether it can engage a larger number and broader range of its citizens to meet the opportunities and challenges that lay ahead (Lawrence.) If not, Texas will continue to be a state in which there are minimal levels of voter participation overall, and where minority groups are significantly underrepresented.

Texas political culture is one that can be described as a combination of three main ideas: individualistic, traditionalism and moralism. Considering Texas and its overwhelming 254 counties we can see these main ideas undoubtedly. The 254 counties each have their own general set of ideas, attitudes and beliefs. The whole state of Texas is simply not just considered individualistic, traditionalism, or moralism, it is considered all three. Individualistic, traditionalism and moralism are all strong values that coexist in our society and they all affect how we as the people live our lives. A political culture shapes a region’s politics.

The Lone Star State is constantly changing and growing, but most importantly learning. Before the “Annexation of Texas,” the Democratic Party had a little pause. However, a group of doctors and lawyers called the “Texas Association” were just a framework for the Democratic Party. The Democratic Party was and still is the most popular party. Although, it’s very well liked Texas became a republican party after a decade of being a democratic party.

It is widely believed that the strongest state level Republican Party is found in the state of Texas. The Republican Party of Texas has control of the senate, the state house of representatives and the state’s education board . Without a doubt, Texas is the strongest Republican state in the nation. Republicans now have majorities in 107 Texas counties that contain nearly two-thirds of the state’s population. Texas own George W. Bush was the 43rd President of the United States. Things haven’t always been so great for Texas Republicans. For over one hundred years, the Republican Party was not a viable force in Texas politics. We were the second party in a one-party state. During that time, the GOP failed to win a single

Another reason Texas will remain a Republican state, is because our rights to bear arms is extremely important to most of the population. Many citizens within the state use guns to hunt, protect themselves and their homes, and for school events like FFA. The Democratic Party is trying to take away this right due to their liberal views. They think extended background checks will help keep guns out of the hands of law breaking citizens and criminals. Majority of the people within Texas have broken the law, to something as minor as speeding and to severe as murder. On top of law breaking citizens, many criminals do not have the background of

Since the majority of Latinos are not legal citizens; therefore, they cannot vote in an election (Ginsbert et al, 2013). For the Latinos that can vote are more likely to vote Democratic. Voters for the Democratic are seen as urban countries, with large minority population, older and native Texans (Ginsbert et al, 2013). Teachers, business men and women, and citizens with higher educations are more likely to vote depending on who is running and their platforms. Hispanics and African-American are seen voting more for the Democratic candidates and whites voting for the Republican candidates (Ginsbert et al, 2013). Women are move likely to vote Democratic than men (Ginsbert et al,

Texas has a reputation throughout history of differing views from the federal government in laws and politics pertaining to social, fiscal, and educational issues. On the whole, Texas operates as a largely conservative state. Because of this, policy-making is often right wing. With the institution of a Democratic, liberal president, the State’s dissent from the Federal government has only increased over certain issues. One hot topic of the 2012 Presidential election was immigration. With the major increase in immigration, it is no surprise that the issue was so emphasized. Between 2000 and 2011 there was a 30 percent

Texas is a state that has always been recognized for its size and politics. Elections are a huge part of democratic societies that are intended for citizens to choose their public leaders and approve the policies set by candidates. Political parties and interest groups also play a key role in shaping opportunities for public participation. Most Texans and historians know that the Democratic Party’s historical dominance is important to state politics. It is less likely that people are not aware of the consequences of the one-party system for public participation and democracy in Texas. Like many of the rim South states, the white elitist belonged to the Democratic Party which stemmed from the end of Reconstruction until the late 20th