According to the Liberal Arts Instructional Technology Services, Texas is geographically large and relatively diverse as it comprises numerous district regions and different cultural populations, with each of these featuring distinct levels of wealth, kinds of economic activity, population density, racial and ethnic diversity, and political culture 1 . The eastern and western parts of Texas are inhabited by native Texans, however, each is characterized by a particular feel that is unique to the side. The metropolitan or urban Texas , in which the largest percentage of the state’s population resides, is comparatively different. In comparison to the rural areas of the state, the population living in urban Texas is relatively wealthy and greater economic and cultural diversity (United States Census Bureau). As a result, the cities are distinct. For example, Dallas, Austin and even Fort Worth are markedly differently. South Texas and El Paso regions are inhabited by many Latinos, with comparatively lower per capita incomes. This is in contrary to largest and rapidly growing urban cities like Houston, Dallas, Fort-Worth, Austin and San Antonio. 2
Besides that, it is important to know that a considerable proportion of eligible Texans do not either register for voting or simply fail to vote, with only 54.1 percent of the state’s population turning out to vote in the November 2000 general elections. 3 Voter characteristics, including age, income, education, and race/ethnicity coupled by election characteristics directly influence voting patterns in Texas. 4 Overall, older, white, or more educated individuals are more likely to participate in election compared to younger, non-white, or less educated citizens. 5 With this in mind, our campaign strategy needs to reach out more to older, white, or more educated eligible voters. However, the campaign should also focus on younger, non-white, or less educated citizens because voting patterns in Texas are changing. Furthermore, it should reach out to the urban Texas population since it constitutes the largest population in the state.
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There are several issues voters in Texas care more in this election. The economy is the first issue Texas voters care about. The Texan citizens, especially the Hispanic/Latino households suffered a great deal during the 2005-2009 economic recession, including loss of employment, wealth, and the decline of the overall Texas economy. 6 Other issues of critical importance are terrorism and foreign policy. With the unprecedented increase in International terrorist activities, Texas citizens are likely to support a presidential candidate that will promise them a safer state and country. Moreover, the issue of gun policy should also be factored in the campaign strategy especially considering the series of violent attacks on innocent citizens in the previous two years. On top of that, health care is another hot issue. With the many diseases and health problems facing Texans compounded by the increased ageing population, how a candidate addresses policies on health care will determine whether or not he or she will earn Texans’ votes. Lastly, immigration is a major concern that might shape these elections. This is because Texas is relatively diverse with almost one-third of the state’s Hispanic/Latino populations are foreign-born and south Texas and El Paso regions are inhabited by many Latinos. Also, the state experiences high influx of immigrants. 7
Based on the demographic factors and critical issues highlighted above, the presidential candidate needs to pursue a message that strikes a balance and clearly articulate strategies for dealing with the economy, health care, terrorism, gun policy, and immigration. Many Texan citizens look forward to a presidential candidate that will provide pragmatic solutions to these issues the care about both in the state and the whole of America. If the central message of the campaign is unappealing, some of these citizens will keep their distance from both elections and the civic life of Texas.
There are many interest groups working on behalf Donald Trump in Texas. These include the private sector, the civil society, the media (traditional, digital and social media) NGOs, public sector unions, and the general public. These diverse groups engage in organizing campaign events, seeking candidate endorsement, promoting campaigns, holding grassroots meetings and marches either to popularize their preferred candidate or counter their opponent. 8 Therefore, partnership and collaboration among these groups will promote the success of the campaign.
Lastly, Trump can challenge Hillary Clinton, by counter the most identified strengths in his opponent and leverage on his prominent strengths in relation to Texas voter concerns. First, Trump needs to counter Clinton’s popularity about how she treats racial and ethnic minorities. This is a critical factor that must be factored in the campaign strategy because Texas is very ethically/racially diverse hence success in the election is determined how appropriate the various communities, especially minorities will be treated. Closely related issue is how gay, lesbian and transgender populations, which favors Clinton. Moreover, she scores highly having served as the Secretary of States for the previous governments. This is another strength that Trump needs to counter to consider in challenge his opponent.
On the other hand, Trump needs to capitalize on his strength on economy. The fact that he is a successful businessperson may influence mat Texas voters to support his election with the expectations that he will help them recover from the impact of the previous recession that affected them negatively. Furthermore, Trump must capitalize on his policies on terrorism and immigration. In fact, his promise to erect a wall along the US/Mexican border might influence many Texas voters to support his election because this could be a pragmatic solution to the problem of immigration and terrorism facing the state.
References
Graves, Scott, and Jongho Lee. "Ethnic underpinnings of voting preference: Latinos and the 1996 US senate election in Texas." Social Science Quarterly (2000): 226-236.
Liberal Arts Instructional Technology Services (LAITS). “Texas Politics – Texas Political Structure.” 2006. Web. Accessed on November 11, 2016, from:https://www.laits.utexas.edu/txp_media/html/cult/print_cult.html
Olivares, Mariela. "The Impact of Recessionary Politics on Latino-American and Immigrant Families: SCHIP Success and DREAM Act Failure." Howard Law Journal 55.2 (2012).
United States Census Bureau. “Demographic and Economic Profiles of Texas' Electorate.” February 23, 2016, from: http://www.census.gov/newsroom/press-releases/2016/cb16-tps25.html.
