Austin, TX 78701
Off. 512-472-3083
Twelve years of Republican control in Washington ended on Tuesday, November 7, 2006. The speculation of what the US Congress would look like after the election is now history. As we all know, the Democrats now have an opportunity to govern. The word most frequently used post-election was bipartisan, we shall soon see if the rhetoric is followed by action that will be good for the country. If you have an interest in politics, which we all should, the next two years will be most interesting.
As we know, what happens in politics
has a dramatic impact on us individually and on our businesses. This is also true at the state level.
The earthquake in Washington was
not without impact on Texas politics.
The tidal wave that was generated by the gyrations in DC effected state
and local political races to differing degrees, but it impacted it just the
same.
For the third time in a row,
Republicans swept the top offices in state government. The last time a Democrat won a statewide
election was 1994.
The Texas Senate saw only one
race of significance. In El Paso, a well
financed Dee Margo-R challenged incumbent senator Eliot Shapleigh-D, Shapleigh
won easily in what was suppose to be a competitive race.
The Texas House was another
story. In a normal year, the
Republicans historically have picked up seats being vacated by incumbent
Democrats representing rural districts.
There is normally a surprise election or two where an incumbent
loses or an open seat changes parties.
This election cycle, the Republicans targeted six Democrats and likewise, the Democrat party targeted six Republicans. This is where the similarity with past years ends. When the dust cleared, the Democrats had successfully defended all of their seats and the Republicans lost all six seats targeted by the D’s.
This is a testament to the effect
politics in Washington DC has on Texas.
The tsunami generated in DC washed over Texas and when the electorate
had their say, the political landscape had changed.
Another example of the effect of
Washington on Texas can be seen in the county of Dallas. The demographics in Dallas County have been
changing for a number of years. Most
political observers expected the all Republican Dallas county government to
yield to the increasing number of Democrats and, over a period of years, elect
some countywide Democrats. The result of
the election was a wholesale change in county government in Dallas. For example, of 42 judgeships held by
Republicans and up for reelection, Democrats won 41. The incumbent Republican County Judge was
defeated and a Democrat with no prosecutorial experience won the DA’s office.
In addition to the before
mentioned gains by the Democrats, including the primary and the general
election, several of Speaker Craddick’s
Lieutenants were defeated. Since Tom Craddick’s election as Speaker four
years ago, there has been a handful of Republicans called the ABC’s, or Anybody
But Craddick. The House Democratic
leadership is busy counting noses to ascertain if there is enough support from
disgruntled Republicans, who would band with the Democrats, to elect a new
speaker. This scenario appears highly
unlikely, but it does give the political pundits something to talk about.
One week after the general election,
legislators can begin pre-filing bills.
On the first day, over 200 bills and constitutional amendments were
filed.
Remember, your participation in the
process of governing is vital to our success.
Please feel free to contact me with your questions or concerns.