In the heart of South Texas, a fierce political battle is unfolding as the traditionally Democratic stronghold faces an unprecedented challenge from a resurgent Republican Party, The Wall Street Journal reported.
Starr County, a predominantly Hispanic region along the Texas-Mexico border, gained national attention in 2020 when it recorded the largest swing toward Donald Trump of any county in the United States. The county that in 2016 had supported Hillary Clinton by a 60-point margin over Trump in 2016 supported Joe Biden by only a 5-point margin.
The shift in 2020, attributed to economic anxieties exacerbated by the pandemic, saw Trump's message resonate strongly with many locals despite the county's long-standing Democratic ties.
As the 2024 presidential election approaches, both parties are scrambling to secure the loyalty of the county's voters.
While not expected to impact the overall outcome in Republican-leaning Texas, this year's contest is seen as a bellwether for Hispanic and border voters nationwide. The county's 34,000 registered voters have become the focal point of a larger national narrative about shifting political allegiances within these communities.
Recent polling data reflect the ongoing struggle for Hispanic voters.
A Wall Street Journal poll showed Vice President Kamala Harris leading Trump nationally among Hispanic voters by 22 points, 59% to 37%. In 2020, Biden won Hispanic voters by 28 percentage points, the Journal reported.
Locals like Elisa Lujano, a pharmacist and Democratic Party precinct chair in Rio Grande City, have noticed the growing visibility of Republicans in the area.
"They're just so vocal," Lujano said, adding that grassroots efforts, such as organizing meetings and sending "Postcards for Kamala," have been revived as Democrats seek to counter the GOP's rising influence.
The Democrat base in South Texas, buoyed by Harris' rise to the top of the ticket, sees her candidacy as a reflection of their own identities and aspirations.
"I feel like she is me, so to speak," Lujano said.
Republicans, on the other hand, have capitalized on the economic hardships and anti-establishment sentiments that linger in the region.
The area's state representative, Ryan Guillen, switched parties from Democrat to Republican in 2021, signaling a shift in local political dynamics. And Alberto Olivares, a former Border Patrol agent, is the first Republican candidate for Starr County sheriff in recent memory.
For Republicans, victory would symbolize the inroads they hope to make among Hispanic voters nationwide. For Democrats, holding the line in Starr County is crucial to maintaining their influence in a region that has long supported them.
Jim Thomas ✉
Jim Thomas is a writer based in Indiana. He holds a bachelor's degree in Political Science, a law degree from U.I.C. Law School, and has practiced law for more than 20 years.
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