I don't normally post about politics, but as a native Texan who works with policymakers for my industry, I can't not talk about what just happened.
For the first time in my LIFETIME, Democrats won statewide elections in Texas, and not just one race but ALL of them: the US Senate, Governor and even the Supreme Court. A complete flip in one night.
As a libertarian-leaning independent I have mixed feelings about both parties, but I think this is good for Texas long term for a few reasons:
1. Complacency got punished. The TX GOP assumed it would always win and kept running some of the most corrupt and toxic candidates we've seen. Regardless of party, there should be a bar for who's electable, and voters just set it.
2. The old guard is out. Abbott and Patrick were both chasing a 4th term, and Abbott spent 2024 primarying normal Republicans who wouldn't back his voucher push. Texas needs leaders who appeal to younger voters on issues like THC and put voters ahead of party loyalty.
3. Trump has been undeniably proven to be an intolerable liability for the GOP. He endorsed Paxton and other primary candidates over more moderate incumbents, only to see them lose by a landslide. This is in addition to his historic unpopularity dragging down GOP races across the board. Both the TX and national GOP now have good reason to start looking past him, although only time will tell if they can take the lesson to heart.
4. Checks and balances still apply. Republicans still hold the TX Senate, so nothing radical passes without at least some Republicans crossing over. Both parties will still need to work with one another and put polarization aside to get anything done.
5. Purple is better for voters. Democrats won by running Texas-first candidates instead of Beto-style gun haters. When both parties have to compete, radicals get filtered out, and even presidential candidates will start actually campaigning and appealing to Texan interests. With polarization getting worse nationally, Texas has a shot at being a home for moderate politics. Or the radicals just scream louder. Time will tell.
For my own industry, crypto, this is probably a net negative in the short term, and the same goes for AI, which is also a big focus for @digitalinfranet, since the rebrand from TX Blockchain Council. Data centers became a campaign punching bag this cycle, and bitcoin mining faces a lot of the same grid questions. But it's not hopeless. At @digitalinfranet we've always worked with Democrats where we could, and hopefully that bipartisan approach pays off now. @NathanForTexas was one of the first state senators who was genuinely cordial with us, and he's now our next AG.
Now Democrats have a chance to show they can govern without undermining what most Texans like: low taxes, pro business, fiscally responsible government. And the TX GOP gets a chance to clean house and win back trust with competent candidates in the next election.
Republican or Democrat, stay bullish on Texas!
For the first time in my LIFETIME, Democrats won statewide elections in Texas, and not just one race but ALL of them: the US Senate, Governor and even the Supreme Court. A complete flip in one night.
As a libertarian-leaning independent I have mixed feelings about both parties, but I think this is good for Texas long term for a few reasons:
1. Complacency got punished. The TX GOP assumed it would always win and kept running some of the most corrupt and toxic candidates we've seen. Regardless of party, there should be a bar for who's electable, and voters just set it.
2. The old guard is out. Abbott and Patrick were both chasing a 4th term, and Abbott spent 2024 primarying normal Republicans who wouldn't back his voucher push. Texas needs leaders who appeal to younger voters on issues like THC and put voters ahead of party loyalty.
3. Trump has been undeniably proven to be an intolerable liability for the GOP. He endorsed Paxton and other primary candidates over more moderate incumbents, only to see them lose by a landslide. This is in addition to his historic unpopularity dragging down GOP races across the board. Both the TX and national GOP now have good reason to start looking past him, although only time will tell if they can take the lesson to heart.
4. Checks and balances still apply. Republicans still hold the TX Senate, so nothing radical passes without at least some Republicans crossing over. Both parties will still need to work with one another and put polarization aside to get anything done.
5. Purple is better for voters. Democrats won by running Texas-first candidates instead of Beto-style gun haters. When both parties have to compete, radicals get filtered out, and even presidential candidates will start actually campaigning and appealing to Texan interests. With polarization getting worse nationally, Texas has a shot at being a home for moderate politics. Or the radicals just scream louder. Time will tell.
For my own industry, crypto, this is probably a net negative in the short term, and the same goes for AI, which is also a big focus for @digitalinfranet, since the rebrand from TX Blockchain Council. Data centers became a campaign punching bag this cycle, and bitcoin mining faces a lot of the same grid questions. But it's not hopeless. At @digitalinfranet we've always worked with Democrats where we could, and hopefully that bipartisan approach pays off now. @NathanForTexas was one of the first state senators who was genuinely cordial with us, and he's now our next AG.
Now Democrats have a chance to show they can govern without undermining what most Texans like: low taxes, pro business, fiscally responsible government. And the TX GOP gets a chance to clean house and win back trust with competent candidates in the next election.
Republican or Democrat, stay bullish on Texas!
