Texas’ biggest metro areas may tip America’s balance of power in the years ahead

The fast-growing metropolitan areas of Texas are moving to the front line of the battle between the two major political parties for control of the nation’s direction. Texas has been a linchpin of the Republican Party’s national strength for a generation. But in 2018, Democrats recorded their most significant gains […] Read more »

Why Democrats are stuck competing in Pennsylvania, Michigan and Wisconsin

… Recent electoral history and demographics suggest that, despite the quick leftward movement of well-educated suburbs across the country, Democrats probably still have to worry about Wisconsin, Florida, Michigan, Pennsylvania and other currently purple states in 2020. CONT. David Byler, Washington Post Read more »

Farmers back Trump’s tariff fight, but don’t think it helps them

As the Trump administration’s trade fight with China deepens, the impacts are starting to pile up — particularly in the nation’s farming communities where tariffs targeting agricultural products are hitting hard. And with 2020 approaching, the ongoing dispute could have serious electoral implications. Polls show a mix of presidential support […] Read more »

Is demography destiny in Texas?

President Trump’s less than enthusiastic reception in El Paso, Texas, along with the announcements by four Texas Republican congressmen that they will not be running for re-election, has drawn attention to the changing demography of that state. Back in the 19th century a French sociologist first said “Demography is destiny.” […] Read more »

Blue Texas is a Democratic dream. Shifting left is a reality.

For three years now, Texas Republicans have been taking on water. … Now Democrats are crossing their fingers about finally turning Texas blue, or at least purple, in 2020. Turning Texas blue in the medium-term isn’t a pipe dream — the Trump-era GOP doesn’t play as well as the George […] Read more »