Chapter 26

Political Parties, Interest Groups, Elections and Campaigns in Texas

Pearson Education, Inc. © 2008

American Government9th Editionto accompany Comprehensive, Alternate, Texas, and Essentials Editions

O’Connor and Sabato

The Development of Political Parties, Interest Groups, Elections and Campaigns in Texas

Parties and interest groups developed slowly in Texas. Personality was the dominant force in

electoral politics. In 1848 the Democratic Party emerged

as a formal organization. Era of one party dominance: 1874-1986

Contending factions within the Democratic Party

The Roots of Political Parties, Interest Groups, Elections and Campaigns in Texas

Most influential interest groups in the 19th century represented agrarian interests The Grange

Agrarian interests were supplanted by oil and gas interests.

As Texas economy and society became more complex after WWII, varied interests proliferated

Elections became more partisan or factional contests.

Political Parties in Texas

Party Organization Texas state law establishes formal

organization for political parties. Temporary party organization

Exists for a limited time and includes several levels of conventions

Permanent party organization Operates throughout the year, performing the

parties functions

Temporary Party Organization Consists of conventions at the precinct, county or state

senatorial districts and the state level Held every two years Precinct convention

Both meet to select delegates and adopt resolutions but at a different geographic level

1% of voters attend precinct conventions and they select delegates to the county convention

Or in counties that are in more than one state senatorial district to the senate senatorial district convention

State convention Party meeting held to adopt the party’s platform, elect the

party’s executive committee and state chairperson, and in a presidential election year, elect delegates to the national convention and choose presidential electors

Permanent Party Organization Consists of party chairpersons and

committees which work throughout the year Tied to electoral districts due to their activities Precinct chairperson County chairperson County Executive Committee State Executive Committee State Party Chairperson

Functional Organization Although the state chairperson is elected by the state

executive committee, functional leadership may rest with the governor.

Performance of the party is determined by the effectiveness of those who occupy the party positions.

Certain factors are likely to influence the performance. Unity

Important factor for both major parties in Texas Democrats Republicans

Effectiveness Institutional support activities Candidate-centered activities What is at stake?

Party in the Electorate Distribution of party attachments

1952: Only 6% of Texans identified themselves as Republicans; 66% as Democrats.

Since then, the number of Democratic identifiers has declined while the number of Republican identifiers has increased.

Percentage of independents has also increased. 2006: 39% of Texans identify with Republican

Party; 29% with the Democratic Party

Party Realignment in Texas Texas has experienced an attenuated (secular) realignment.

Young voters were more likely to identify with the Republican Party than the Democratic Party in the 1980s and 1990s. Generational replacement favored Republicans

Some Democrats switched to the Republican Party. New residents were more likely to identify with the

Republican Party. Party identification is important in determining vote choice

in elections. Republican candidates have won more counties in recent

elections. In 2000 Republican candidates won every statewide

election. Dealigning rather than realigning?

The Party in Government Executive branch

Independent election of the most important executive officers

Governor and Lt. Governor do not run as a team Can lead to strain in the relationship

Little incentive to campaign together or coordinate

Legislative branch Partisan considerations minimized Strong institutional leaders who eschew the

opportunity to build strong party organizations

The Party in Government Judicial branch

Judges elected on partisan ballot But candidates for other offices rarely team up

with members of their party seeking judgeships Influence of party often dominant in the

appointment of judges when a vacancy occurs Does ideology of the justice matter?

In 2004-05 term, the Texas supreme Court, on which Republicans held all the seats, decided for the defendant in 76 percent of cases.

In 1985 when Democrats controlled the Supreme Court, defendants won only 28 percent of the cases.

Interest Groups in Texas

Types of interest groups Businesses and Trade Associations Professional Associations Labor Groups Racial and Ethnic Groups Public-Interest Groups

Political Activities of Interest Groups

Lobbying Attempting to influence public officials through

direct contact

Electioneering Activity in political campaigns

Campaign contributions/PACS

Litigation Attempt to effect or prevent changes in public

policy Can be used as a delaying tactic

Elections and Political Campaigns in Texas

Types of Elections Primary elections Special elections General elections Local elections

Political Campaigns in Texas

Money Media Marketing

The Voter’s Decisions Turnout

Legal requirements for voting minimal U.S. citizenship 18-years old or older Residency in state Registration Only the mentally incompetent barred from voting

and convicted felons who have not completed their sentence including parole, supervision or probation periods

Early voting Effect on turnout has been negligible. People must be motivated by benefits of voting. Only 46.1 percent of the age-eligible Texans voted in

the 2004 presidential election.

Voter Turnout in Texas

The Voter’s Decisions The Vote Choice

Entire 19th and early 20th century vote choice was party oriented Straight ticket-voting Today vote choice is more office oriented and person

oriented—so more voters split their ticket. Explanations of vote choice focus on

Party identification Issues Candidate characteristics Comparison of 1986 and 2002 Texas gubernatorial

races