Every Seat Counts

The Importance of Running Democratic Candidates in All Elections

During the last election, 42 of the 150 Texas House seats were unopposed by Democrats. There are many reasons why. Much of it has to do with gerrymandering, some with party support or money, but it also has to do with complacency.

However, Republicans frequently challenge safe Democratic seats in urban areas, rarely leaving any of their counterparts unopposed. Do you know why that is? Because they know that Republicans in that district are less likely to vote when they don’t have any options. Part of the reason there are so many non-voting Democrats in Texas is that they are often left with no options and think, “What’s the point?”

In red districts, there are a lot of low-frequency Democratic voters and high-frequency swing voters, but a wide net has to be cast. Even if the candidate in that district doesn’t win, the more Democrats that run, the more the community will increase voter turnout and push left.

We can’t win if we don’t run.

We need candidates running in every seat. In the Senate and the House, but also in local elections. We’ll never win if we don’t run. So even if it’s a deep red district, we need candidates willing to get out there and run because every vote and every election is an opportunity to build momentum and engage with voters.

Running candidates in every race allows Democrats to hold their opponents accountable and ensure their message is challenged in all parts of the state. This can help to expose flaws in the GOP’s platform and potentially sway voters who may not have considered voting for the Democratic candidate otherwise.

Running a Democrat in every election, even in deeply red areas, will build a stronger, more engaged, and more inclusive party to win elections and enact positive change.

We must remember that winning isn’t just about securing political power; it’s about creating lasting change and building a better future for all Texans. Running candidates in every district demonstrates our dedication to that goal and willingness to fight for the values we believe in, regardless of the odds.

Here is a link to the federal, state, and legislator races, which have candidates and need opposition.

Can you run for office? Do you know someone who should?

I’m not going to lie. It takes a lot of work and putting yourself out there to run. Even if that isn’t for you, perhaps you know someone who would be perfect. Start talking to them about it now.

They don’t have to do it alone. Contact Run For Something if you or they are interested. They can help you get your campaign off of the ground.

Let’s remember that every seat counts. Whether in a deeply red district or a competitive one, fielding Democratic candidates is an essential step towards advancing our principles, engaging with voters, and building a Texas that represents its people's diverse voices and needs. Together, we can forge a path of progress and work towards a brighter, more inclusive future for our great state.