People in Texas were originally Democrats because of the civil war. Republicans were the party of Lincoln, and thus there was a grudge against them here with many (as in much of the South). Conservatives that voted Democrat were called “yellow dog” democrats because they would rather vote for a yellow dog than a Republican.
Starting about the time of Reagan though (with the Texan Bush senior on the ticket), Texas started looking past the civil war issues and started moving towards the Republican party.
So to an outsider it is sort of confusing, and on the surface it looks like Texas has been moving right for decades, when in fact it was just a party realignment. Under the surface Texas is MUCH MUCH more liberal than it was when I was a child.
“Under the surface Texas is MUCH MUCH more liberal than it was when I was a child.”
Okay, according to you, you’re screwed. Good luck. Don’t call me; I’ll call you.