Rational Numbers - Texas Trends

[sonias]

Texas Tribune 12/16/09
Guest Column: Rational Numbers
by Ed Martin

(snip)
In Denton, Collin, Fort Bend, and Williamson Counties — four of the five most populous traditionally Republican suburban counties — the Democratic vote share increased between 2004 and 2008. In Fort Bend County — the former home of Tom DeLay — Democratic Texas Supreme Court nominee Sam Houston came within 1,800 votes and Obama within 4,800 votes of carrying the county. With Democratic straight ticket voting rising in Fort Bend, the state’s ninth most populous county may be better positioned to become Democratic than Dallas County was after 2004.

While Republican margins are shrinking in suburban counties, Democratic margins in urban counties have increased dramatically. In Dallas County, a 10,000-vote Republican win in 2004 became a 123,000-vote Democratic win in 2008, a swing of 133,000 votes. During that same period, countywide vote totals swung toward Democrats by 128,000 votes in Harris County, 81,000 votes in Bexar County and 67,000 votes in Travis County. Although Republicans carried Tarrant County, their vote margin shrunk by 68,000 votes.

Statewide, Democrats cut the Republican margin by roughly 750,000 votes between 2004 and 2008, even without candidates who could spend significant resources statewide. Democrats picked up eleven Texas House seats, a Texas Senate seat and a congressional seat — all in districts drawn to elect Republicans. Most of those candidates won in places Republicans had considered “safe,” including Sen. Wendy Davis and Reps. Paula Pierson and Chris Turner in suburban Tarrant County, Diana Maldonado in Williamson County, and winners from west Houston and the Dallas suburbs.

This is a response piece to a prior piece by Ted Delisi for the Rs who said Dems don't stand a chance in Texas.

Good job Ed Martin!
:applause:
:kick:


Sonia

[onestepforward]

1. This is great news!

A few years ago, I heard that Houston (Harris Co.) is growing by 100,000/year and I was always hopeful that a good number of people moving here and other areas in Texas where Democrats. Maybe that is helping a little along with Texans getting fed-up with the repubs. :)

[Melissa G]

2. I can't resist saying that this is the trend as long as we don't screw up health care

and upset folks over extending wars we voted to end. But Yea Ed Martin anyway!

[sonias]

3. We have such low expectations in Texas anyway

In Texas we feel lucky to have any kind of health care. The most polluted state in the nation led by a governor in denial about the costs of pollution, or global warming for that matter. And I do mean health care costs related to our pollution too.

We may not be totally happy with the change that's happened but it could have been a lot worse with McCain and Palin - you gotta believe that right?


:hi:

Sonia

[Melissa G]

4. Absolutely, It's just that I don't want a midterm rush to the other side

in Congress and I don't want to give those ^#&^&!* talking heads and republicans any legitimate ammo to sink us in the next elections. Passing a bill with No public option plus mandates will hurt our election chances and upset our base. That will help get ^%#@!* republicans elected. In Texas, we don't need no friggin' help getting 'pubs elected.
:hi:

[Artie Bucco]

5. heh

Not to brag but I think the DNC will be held in the new Cowboy's Stadium within 20 years.

[sonias]

6. When the Democratic party wins Texas in the South -it's over

When we drive a stake through the Republican southern strategy that is based on racism, it's over for that dying party. And sure why not make Texas the headquarters of the DNC then.

We'll be right in between the powerhouses of California and Florida. If we can pick up GA we'll be the trifecta in the South. (TX, GA FL). Obama did 47% in GA in 2008.
Yes we can!

:kick:


Sonia