Changes

==Politics==

==Politics==

Texas is a mostly conservative state. It has consistently voted [[Republican]] in presidential elections since 1980, last favoring the [[Democrats]] in 1976 when [[Jimmy Carter]] won the state. As of 2021, the Texas Senate has 18 Republicans and 13 Democrats, and the State House consists of 82 Republicans and 67 Democrats, with one seat vacant as of the beginning of the 87th Legislature. Republicans also have a 24-11 edge in the federal House delegation with one seat vacant.  These numbers are significantly down from prior years due to the influx of liberals moving from California and other Democrat-run states, who escape the consequences of their votes yet continue to vote the same way upon relocation.

Texas is a mostly conservative state. It has consistently voted [[Republican]] in presidential elections since 1980, last favoring the [[Democrats]] in 1976 when [[Jimmy Carter]] won the state. As of 2023, the Texas Senate has 19 Republicans and 12 Democrats, and the State House consists of 86 Republicans and 64 Democrats. Republicans also have a 25-13 edge in the federal House delegation, and both Senators are Republicans.  All statewide elected positions are held by Republicans, as well as a majority on the elected State Board of Education.

Historically, Texas was a [[Democratic Party (USA)|Democratic Party]] stronghold.<ref name="TSHA">[https://tshaonline.org/handbook/online/articles/wap02 Political Parties - Handbook of Texas Online]. ''Texas State Historical Association''. Retrieved August 16, 2016.</ref> This was the case until the 1960s, and was especially the case in the early 20th Century.<ref name="TSHA"/> Due to the Dominance of the Democrats, the Democrat primaries were considered "the real election", during this time.<ref name="TSHA"/> In the party however, there were competing factions, and during the [[New Deal]], a conservative-liberal divide within the Democratic Party emerged.<ref name="TSHA"/> As the Democratic Party became more liberal (in a conservative state), and as different changes occurred in the state, conservative voters switched to the growing,more conservative Republican Party,<ref>Sirois, Francis (November 8, 2016). [http://www.newschannel10.com/story/33661247/history-of-texas-voters History of Texas voters]. ''KFDA''. Retrieved November 9, 2016.</ref> until it took the Democrats place as the dominant party in Texas.<ref name="TSHA"/><ref>[https://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/shows/architect/texas/realignment.html How Texas Became a "Red" State - Frontline]. ''PBS''. April 12, 2005. Retrieved August 16, 2016.</ref>  However, Democrats maintain liberal strongholds in Austin (the state capital), most of the large cities (and the counties in which they are located, as most first-ring suburbs have trended Democrat as well), and along the Texas-Mexico border.

Historically, Texas was a [[Democratic Party (USA)|Democratic Party]] stronghold.<ref name="TSHA">[https://tshaonline.org/handbook/online/articles/wap02 Political Parties - Handbook of Texas Online]. ''Texas State Historical Association''. Retrieved August 16, 2016.</ref> This was the case until the 1960s, and was especially the case in the early 20th Century.<ref name="TSHA"/> Due to the Dominance of the Democrats, the Democrat primaries were considered "the real election", during this time.<ref name="TSHA"/> In the party however, there were competing factions, and during the [[New Deal]], a conservative-liberal divide within the Democratic Party emerged.<ref name="TSHA"/> As the Democratic Party became more liberal (in a conservative state), and as different changes occurred in the state, conservative voters switched to the growing,more conservative Republican Party,<ref>Sirois, Francis (November 8, 2016). [http://www.newschannel10.com/story/33661247/history-of-texas-voters History of Texas voters]. ''KFDA''. Retrieved November 9, 2016.</ref> until it took the Democrats place as the dominant party in Texas.<ref name="TSHA"/><ref>[https://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/shows/architect/texas/realignment.html How Texas Became a "Red" State - Frontline]. ''PBS''. April 12, 2005. Retrieved August 16, 2016.</ref>  However, Democrats maintain liberal strongholds in Austin (the state capital), most of the large cities (and the counties in which they are located, as most first-ring suburbs have trended Democrat as well), and along the Texas-Mexico border.