Let's talk about Dems running everywhere in Texas.... - Belle of the Ranch

[TexasTowelie]

Well, howdy there Internet people. It's Belle again. So, today we're going to talk about why Democrats are running everywhere in Texas.

The Democratic Party recently undertook a massive recruitment drive in Texas. The party is fielding a candidate in every federal, state house, or state senate and statewide judicial election in the midterms. If you don't know, it's actually not common for a party to run a candidate in every race. Some districts are viewed as unwinnable, so the party just gives up on them. The Texas Democratic Party chair, Kendall Scudder, said the message behind the move was simple. "No Republican gets a free ride in Texas. If you are a Republican and you want to hold public office in this state, you're going to have to fight us for it.”

I mean, that sounds cool and it's a good talking point, but I feel like that might not actually be what's going on here. Now, Democratic strategists have admitted to another reason behind the move. They believe that if they run candidates in traditionally ruby red areas where they don't normally run, they'll drive voter turnout that will help candidates at the top of the ballot. Yeah, that makes sense. It's counter to how the strategy normally works where it's the big names at the top of the ticket that actually help drive turnout for the candidates further down ballot. But it absolutely makes sense that the reverse can be true in this situation.

Now, the GOP isn't taking the effort seriously, openly calling it a gimmick or saying that it doesn't matter unless the Democratic party puts serious resources behind the candidates running in the ruby red areas. Governor Greg Abbott's chief strategist said, "When they start funding these outliers, get back to me."

I'm going to say that while the Democratic Party's public talking points are completely valid. In fact, we've seen races where candidates running in typically uncontested areas helped up ballot candidates in Texas. And sure, running everywhere makes the Republican party defend everywhere, but there's something more, too. I think there's been a major shake-up since the last election. The Republican party, at Trump's direction, decided to engage in an unusual redistricting effort.

I think the Democrats are baselining the entire state. If I had to guess, I'd suggest that the Democratic Party thinks the Republicans totally dropped the ball on the gerrymander. They think that the combination of peeling voters to try to gerrymander some areas while consistently losing Latino voters is hurting them more than can be accurately measured in polls, many of which take historical voting data into consideration. So, they want to run candidates to see where the new baseline is everywhere and have a good read on how to prioritize resources in the future.

Not just do they stand a chance of pulling off some upsets because Republicans in Texas are overconfident. They'll have solid information about the future of the state.

It's important to remember democracy doesn't just need voting to be successful. It also needs options. It probably shouldn't be a rarity for people in every district to have choices on the ballot.

Anyway, it's just a thought. Y'all have a good day.

[Smoke N Mirrors]

1. It is absolutely about helping the top of the ticket.

The party was trying to find candidates for races that are underwater for Democrats by over 30 points.

[LetMyPeopleVote]

2. Welcome to DU

[KS Toronado]

3. Welcome to DU !