Democrats envision flipping Texas blue based on one race – Washington Examiner
The article discusses the strategic focus of Texas Democrats on Tarrant County, particularly in the context of the upcoming elections. For over two decades, Texas Republicans have held legislative control, but Democrats view Tarrant County—home to Fort Worth—as a crucial battleground in their attempt to gain ground. The county is the last red area with a major urban center, making it significant for the party’s ambitions.
The focal point of the Democrats’ strategy is the reelection of Republican Sheriff Bill Waybourn. Democrats believe that ousting him could signal a shift in the county’s political landscape towards blue. Representative Marc Veasey emphasized that winning in Tarrant County would be pivotal for statewide successes. Waybourn’s opponent, Patrick Moses, is campaigning on concerns over high death rates at the Tarrant County Jail, which he argues reflects negatively on Waybourn’s leadership. The outcome of this race could play a critical role in redefining the political dynamics in Texas.
Democrats envision flipping Texas blue based on one race’s outcome
For more than 20 years, Republicans have maintained control in Texas’s legislature, but Democrats believe they have a chance to win back some ground, seeing one county as key to ending the GOP’s dominance in the Lone Star State.
Tarrant County, home to Fort Worth, is the last red county in which a major metropolitan city resides. While U.S. representatives, a U.S. senator, and state representatives are up for reelection, one lesser-known race has been deemed pivotal in deciding the political direction the county is moving toward.
Up for reelection is Republican Sheriff Bill Waybourn, and Democrats believe if they can vote him out, they are on the right path to turning the red urban county blue.
“Tarrant County is really the only thing that’s keeping the Republicans in the game,” Rep. Marc Veasey (D-TX) told the Hill. “Once we start winning big in Tarrant County, then we win statewide.”
Waybourn’s challenger is Patrick Moses, who is campaigning heavily on the fact that under Waybourn’s watch, there have reportedly been more than 60 deaths at the Tarrant County Corrections Center, including a baby.
Democrats hope Tarrant County goes a similar way as Dallas, Bexar, and Harris, all urban counties that shifted Democrat. The Democratic takeover of the sheriff’s seat has largely been a sign that the party was set to make even bigger gains in each respective county.
In 2004, former federal agent Lupe Valdez won the Dallas County sheriff’s race after decades of the office being held by Republicans. In the election cycles to follow, Democrats won more votes and elections, eventually leading to presidential candidate Mitt Romney losing the county by more than 100,000 votes in 2012 and former President Donald Trump losing by about 290,000 votes in 2020.
Texas state legislature races this election have drawn in millions of dollars with donations valued coming from Democrat megadonors, such as George Soros.
Democrats are vying to hold a majority in the state’s House by 2030 — the year the state will be redistricted.
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