Texas Politics

1
Texas Politics

• Political Parties

2
A Brief History of Texas Parties

• Republicans were the party of the North Texas
  was part of the South
• Republicans were propped up in power for about 10
  years after the Civil War
• Once former Confederates/Democrats could vote,
  they did not support Republicans
• Republicans could not win statewide office until
  the Democrats began to split on the issue of
  civil rights

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History of Texas Parties (cont.)

• So, Democrats dominate in Texas until the 1950s
• Liberal (LBJ) and conservative Democrats differ
  on civil rights
• With LBJ selected Vice-President, John Tower, a
  Republican, becomes Senator
• This is only the beginning for Republican
  electoral success in Texas
• Governor in 1979
• Phil Gramm switches parties in 1981

4
History of Texas Parties (cont.)

• When Ann Richards, Lloyd Bentsen, and others are
  defeated/retire, Republicans control these
  offices
• GW Bush, Rick PerryGovernors
• Hutchinson, CornynSenators
• In 2002, Republicans take control of state
  legislature
• In 2004, Republicans gain majority of
  congressional seats from Texas

5
Parties in Texas Democrats

• Democrats had dominated much of Texas politics
  since 1875
• One party control little competition
• Both liberals and conservatives in Democratic
  party
• Today, liberals are more influential in the
  Democratic party, but only because conservatives
  now tend to vote Republican

6
Parties in Texas Republicans

• Republicans have gained in recent years, and now
  are the majority party in Texas
• Dominated in recent years by conservative,
  evangelical voters
• Moderate Republicans try to limit this
  extremism
• Little support from minority voters
• In 1952, only 6 of Texans identified as
  Republicans. In 1998, 30 did.

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Party Organization Precincts

• Several precincts in each county
• Precinct chair selected by voters in precinct
  party organizer for the precinct
• Precinct convention 2nd Tuesday in March
  (even-numbered years)
• This year the evening of the primary
• Select delegates to county convention
• Adopt resolutions for consideration at county
  convention

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Party Organization County

• County chair presides over county executive
  committee (made up of all precinct chairs)
• Prepares primary ballot
• Canvass returns from primaries for local office
• County conventions Second Saturday following
  precinct conventions
• Delegates vote on resolutions
• Delegates selected to attend State convention

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Party Organization State

• State convention
• State chair selected by state convention
  delegates
• 64-member state executive committee one man and
  one woman from each congressional district
  (Republican) or state senate districts (Democrat)
• Selects electors for Electoral College
• Selects delegates to National convention