I have looked and looked at the numbers and I am not totally sure how the Dems in Hays County pulled it off. The Democratic candidates for County Judge and two commissioner won their races. It looks like the District Attorney's race has gone to the Dems by very small margin (50.04% to 49.96%). In what I can only describe as a kick in the guts, two races by Democratic challengers Martinez-Boiling ( 49.26% to 50.74%) and Villalpando(49.58% to 50.42%) were lost by squeaker margins.
A major argument for the change in the commissioners court deals with national politics. Anger against the national Republican Party dealt local Republicans a near death blow but, I don't buy that as the only reason. While it is true that many people in Hays county are angry with the national Republicans in general and President Bush in particular, I fail to see how some Democrats won while others lost. If it was all about throwing the bums out then all of the Dems should have won.
I think that three reasons exist for the change on the commissioners court. First, changing demographics: from the time the court went Republican back in 1998 more people from Travis county and south Texas have moved into our county. Both of these groups trend toward Democrats. Secondly, I think that infighting between the libertarian (no taxes) and conservative (no gays) factions of the local Republican Party fractured their cohesiveness. Finally, I think that good old fashion boots on the ground type work displayed by the Hays County Dems won the day for the newly elected commissioners.
For sure, there are other plausible reasons that the Dems did so well, even among the losers. For instance, Hays County regaining its long lost Congressman Lloyd Doggett who won with 56% of the vote, or State Rep. Patrick Rose wining with 60% of the vote. In short, they had some coat tails. One thing is for sure, as crazy as this elections season has been, 08' I predict will fall into the category of you ain't seen nothing yet.
Gratias Tibi Ago Deus
Wonko's Bud
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Really heartened by the Dems showing in Hays County--first time in my voting life that more than a fraction of candidates I voted for actually won. Hopefully we'll see a more measured approach to development--looks like they're already talking about re-examining some road construction agreements.
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