A Very Red Texas
Yesterday’s election was a bitter disappointment for Texas Democrats. While there was some optimism that the state could potentially elect a statewide Democratic candidate for the first time in nearly thirty years, Texas lurched farther to the right.
Ted Cruz easily won his re-election by over ten points. Former President Trump also won by double digits over Vice President Kamala Harris, in a performance that far exceeded both 2020 and 2016. Republicans also look to have flipped two state house races: HD-34 and HD-80, which includes Uvalde. They also retained state house seats that Democrats were targeting in San Antonio and Dallas.
With the new gains in the legislature, Republicans will be poised to pass a school voucher bill, something they tried do in the last session and in four special session called by Governor Abbott. Texas is the largest red state that has yet to pass a school choice bill.
In Amarillo, voters did defeat an ordinance that was essentially an abortion travel ban. And in Dallas, two of the three “HERO” amendments passed. Residents of Dallas can now sue the city if it doesn't comply with the city charter, city ordinances, or state law. The other stipulates that 50% of all new city revenue go to police and fire pensions and more officers.
