Democrats are facing calls for major changes in leadership and strategy after yet another election loss in Texas. The state party, led by Chairman Gilberto Hinojosa since 2012, has once again fallen short in its efforts to turn Texas blue.
“When Speaker Hinojosa took office in 2012, Obama lost the state 41.38% to 57.17%. Harris just dropped from 42.4% to 56.3%. 12 years later, overnight we are back at square one. He’s gone back,” said one Democratic political official who requested anonymity. “In a year when Mr. Trump’s margins in battleground and upstart states were razor-thin, this is completely unacceptable. There are no excuses, and it doesn’t help anyone to pretend otherwise. Manage the performance of
This demand for accountability goes beyond simply complaining about numbers. Democrats lost ground in southern Texas, traditionally a Democratic stronghold, and were unable to win any new congressional seats. “Let’s be real: The state party, led by a former Cameron County judge, just lost South Texas to Trump, along with two Texas House seats and one Texas Senate seat. At some point, you have to take responsibility for your losses, resign, etc.,” the insider added.
Many believe the foundations are in place for Democrats to succeed as Texas continues to grow and urbanize. But critics argue that without leadership change and a stronger organizational culture, there is little chance of building the infrastructure needed for long-term competitiveness. “Texas benefits from a capable state Democratic Party. The state needs the fundamentals to be competitive. But if leadership and organizational culture don’t change, we need to rebuild South Texas and the entire state. I don’t think we’ll be able to foster the investor confidence we need to build the real infrastructure we need to continue to grow in strength in the suburbs.”
Looking ahead, the party should consider whether it is equipped to tackle key economic issues, especially those that affect Texas workers and consumers. “Is this party ready to mobilize against Trump’s failures that appeal to all Texans? Can we communicate how President Trump’s tariffs will kill jobs and drive up consumer prices?” Can we do that for all audiences?”
