TEXAS GOVERNMENT
2306
UNIT 4
POLITICAL PARTIES
Reasons Texas Was a OneParty Democratic State
SLAVERY
Republican Party’s early opposition to slavery
CIVIL WAR
Republican President Lincoln’s role in
defeating Confederacy during Civil War
RECONSTRUCTION
Harsh policies pursued by Republicans during
Reconstruction
CAUSES OF RISE OF
REPUBLICAN PARTY IN TEXAS
 Northerners moving to Texas
 Growing liberalism of Democratic
Party in 1960s and 1970s
 Popularity of President Reagan-1980s
 Weakening memories of Civil War,
Reconstruction
HOW DEMOCRATIC WAS TEXAS?
 1928-1952—No Republicans elected to
Texas Legislature
 1874-1961—No Republican elected to
statewide office
 Most races on ballot were uncontested
 1978
Democrats won 86% of races
Republicans won 14% of races
2000 Presidential Election Bush vs. Gore
Levels of Party Competition1961-1984
Levels of Party Competition
1989-1994
Party Competition in the
States- 2002
Party Competition in the
States - 2006
Changing Party Affiliation in
Texas 1964-1004
Party Affiliation in Texas 1952-2002
Party Primary Voting Patterns in
Texas – 1972-2004
Republican Officeholders in Texas
Republican Officeholders in
Texas - 1975 vs. 2005
Republican Officeholders in
Texas - 1973-2007
The Number of Republican
and Democratic
Officeholders—1973 vs 2007
RISE OF TEXAS
REPUBLICAN PARTY
1
 1961--Election of US Senator John Tower
 1978—Election of Governor Bill
Clements
 1984—Election of US Senator Phil
Gramm
 1988--Republicans won 4 statewide
races
RISE OF TEXAS
REPUBLICAN PARTY
2
 1993—Election of US Senator Kay B.
Hutchison
 1994—Election of Gov. George W. Bush
 1998-Relection of Gov. Bush & Rep. Maj.
In Texas Senate
 2002-Republicans winning all statewide
offices & control of both Texas House &
Senate
RISE OF TEXAS
REPUBLICAN PARTY
3
2003—Top 3 state officials: Governor,
Lt. Governor, & Speaker-all
Republican
2007—Top 3 state officials: Governor,
Lt. Governor, & Speaker-all
Republican (although Republicans lost 6
House seats & gained one Senate seat)
Party Ideology in Texas
Ideology- National Republicans &
Texas Democrats
TEXAS REPUBLICANS
ISSUE STANDS
 Less government
 Strong national defense
 Pro-life on abortion
 Limit govt. economic regulations
 Anti-union
 Less govt. in civil rights
 End affirmative action
 Traditional family values
TEXAS DEMOCRATS
ISSUE STANDS
 More activist government
 Protect social programs & funding
 Pro-choice on abortion
 Govt. regs. necessary to protect
workers, consumers, environment, &
end business abuses
 Active govt. role in civil rights
 Support affirmative action
 Maintain separation of church & state
The Texas Democratic &
Republican Party PlatformsA Comparison
TEXAS REPUBLICANS
Conservatives & ultra-conservatives
· Evangelical Protestants (“born-again” Christians)
· Newcomers to Texas
· Primarily Anglos
· Younger voters
· More educated
· More men
TEXAS DEMOCRATS
 Primarily middle class & poor
 Workers--blue collar/unions
 Catholics & Jews
 Native Texans
 Minorities & liberal Anglos
 Older Voters
 Less educated
 More women
Party Identification by Social Group
TEXAS POLITICAL PARTIES
REGIONAL SUPPORT
TEXAS REPUBLICANS
Panhandle, Permian Basin, Lubbock,
Abilene, & suburban areas, esp. of
Dallas-FW & Houston
TEXAS DEMOCRATS
Strongest in Hispanic South Texas,
conservative East Texas, & inner city
areas
Democratic & Republican
Voting Counties-1996
Democratic & Republican
Voting Counties-2002
Democratic & Republican
Voting Counties-2006
EFFECTS OF TWOPARTYISM IN TEXAS
 VOTERS HAVE MORE CHOICES
 INCREASED VOTER INTEREST AND
TURNOUT
 GOVERNMENT MORE RESPONSIVE TO
PUBLIC
 LESS GOVT. CORRUPTION
 LESS POWERFUL INTEREST GROUPS
LIBERAL/ CONSERVATIVE
COMPARISON
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Role of Government
Taxes & Budget
Economic Regulation
Social Programs
Crime
Environment
Civil Rights
Moral Issues
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o Abortion
o Gay Rights
o Pornography
o School Prayer
Schools/Education
TEXAS POLITICAL
FUNDS REPORTING &
DISCLOSURE ACT
 No $ raised until campaign treasurer appointed
 Candidates & PACs—no cash contributions
exceeding $100
 No direct contributions from corporations &
labor unions
 File sworn statements listing contributions &
expenditures with Secretary of State
 Criminal & civil penalties
 Enforcement: Texas Ethics Commission
CAMPAIGN TACTICS
 Building an image
 Use of media & importance of TV
 Choosing Issues
 Timing—Peaking
 Raising money
o
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PACs
Wealthy contributors
Personal wealth
Small contributions
Political Party