I suspect the county will turn Red or come really close to it. My colleagues don’t want to hear it. They get upset at me. They come up with things to say- that it’s just not true. I hope I’m wrong. But with such low voter turnout, the republicans will end up outvoting us.
There’s definitely a grassroots movement this cycle that is homegrown. There’s no Beto to move the masses. People kept waiting for someone to do something and were not realizing it was their responsibility. It’s an ingrained mindset. Take a look at Jim Wells, they are filling out rooms. Pat Macías, former chairwoman, came out of retirement to lead the fight. Zapata County has a new chairwoman, Diana Perez-Brandon and they have a giant Harris-Walz billboard. Hidalgo County has many new grassroots members and volunteers thanks to Mothers for Democracy RGV group. People from south Texas that live in the big cities are sending money down south to help turnout the vote. It’s happening.
Well, I did not keep my eye on the goal post! I pushed for canvassing in the rural areas of Hidalgo County but it was so difficult without resources. By the time we got a coalition going, it was late in the cycle. The Pharr, San Juan, Alamo region known as PSJA is showing abysmal turnout. They are a sizable amount of registered voters. They are not voting.
There is no connection - no community relationship between the party and the area. The Dem Party is a country club members only group for McAllen area. They act like it, they dress up like it. They have balls frequently. Really. Their events are tuxedos and gowns. I never went to one, but they are all over their social media. The lawyers use it as a stepping stone for their careers. Also, there is a lot of corruption, both in PSJA and in many rural city offices. Officials are not trusted. And since everyone runs under the democratic ticket, folks associate democrat with corruption. They don't see the different levels of city/state/federal.
It does not help that the valley is home to the lowest income pop. in the nation. and there is many new immigrants who don't understand the culture of US politics.
This last Mexican election had about 80-90% voter turnout. That included people with dual citizenship. In Houston and El Paso people voted at the embassies or they crossed. The LUPE organization did next to nothing to bring out voters bc they've become disconnected from the community. Plus there probably is lack of strong leadership and organization.
The people of PSJA just don't get how their situation will be improved. They say they will remain poor whether they vote or not. So they chose not to.
"And since everyone runs under the democratic ticket, folks associate democrat with corruption." I had suspected for a while that may be a factor in South Texas. Thanks for confirming it. It sounds like a lot of work needs to be done down there, still.
And social media disinformation and hundreds of visits from republicans down here didn’t help. More than anything, the amount of money funneled here was outrageous.
I think we will. I did not see or experience this grassroots movement 2 years ago. There was zero opportunity for folks to participate in. Today M4D RGV have built a small infrastructure and we are helping rural communities. On a side note, Michelle Vallejo is filling up rooms in Seguin. We are seeing people wanting to register to vote. We are recruiting quality precinct chairs. And I’ve been told by VDRs that they are registering 50 people in a 3 hour span at different locations. Maybe I’m reading all of this wrong, but it sure feels like there’s a blue wave coming, or at least south Texas will help push the voter turnout enough to make a difference. Fingers crossed.
I suspect the county will turn Red or come really close to it. My colleagues don’t want to hear it. They get upset at me. They come up with things to say- that it’s just not true. I hope I’m wrong. But with such low voter turnout, the republicans will end up outvoting us.
😭😭
There’s definitely a grassroots movement this cycle that is homegrown. There’s no Beto to move the masses. People kept waiting for someone to do something and were not realizing it was their responsibility. It’s an ingrained mindset. Take a look at Jim Wells, they are filling out rooms. Pat Macías, former chairwoman, came out of retirement to lead the fight. Zapata County has a new chairwoman, Diana Perez-Brandon and they have a giant Harris-Walz billboard. Hidalgo County has many new grassroots members and volunteers thanks to Mothers for Democracy RGV group. People from south Texas that live in the big cities are sending money down south to help turnout the vote. It’s happening.
I really hope we see a reverse from 2020. Do you think we will?
Well, I did not keep my eye on the goal post! I pushed for canvassing in the rural areas of Hidalgo County but it was so difficult without resources. By the time we got a coalition going, it was late in the cycle. The Pharr, San Juan, Alamo region known as PSJA is showing abysmal turnout. They are a sizable amount of registered voters. They are not voting.
😭😭 Why do you think that is?
There is no connection - no community relationship between the party and the area. The Dem Party is a country club members only group for McAllen area. They act like it, they dress up like it. They have balls frequently. Really. Their events are tuxedos and gowns. I never went to one, but they are all over their social media. The lawyers use it as a stepping stone for their careers. Also, there is a lot of corruption, both in PSJA and in many rural city offices. Officials are not trusted. And since everyone runs under the democratic ticket, folks associate democrat with corruption. They don't see the different levels of city/state/federal.
It does not help that the valley is home to the lowest income pop. in the nation. and there is many new immigrants who don't understand the culture of US politics.
This last Mexican election had about 80-90% voter turnout. That included people with dual citizenship. In Houston and El Paso people voted at the embassies or they crossed. The LUPE organization did next to nothing to bring out voters bc they've become disconnected from the community. Plus there probably is lack of strong leadership and organization.
The people of PSJA just don't get how their situation will be improved. They say they will remain poor whether they vote or not. So they chose not to.
"And since everyone runs under the democratic ticket, folks associate democrat with corruption." I had suspected for a while that may be a factor in South Texas. Thanks for confirming it. It sounds like a lot of work needs to be done down there, still.
And social media disinformation and hundreds of visits from republicans down here didn’t help. More than anything, the amount of money funneled here was outrageous.
I think we will. I did not see or experience this grassroots movement 2 years ago. There was zero opportunity for folks to participate in. Today M4D RGV have built a small infrastructure and we are helping rural communities. On a side note, Michelle Vallejo is filling up rooms in Seguin. We are seeing people wanting to register to vote. We are recruiting quality precinct chairs. And I’ve been told by VDRs that they are registering 50 people in a 3 hour span at different locations. Maybe I’m reading all of this wrong, but it sure feels like there’s a blue wave coming, or at least south Texas will help push the voter turnout enough to make a difference. Fingers crossed.