Shifting Political Landscape in South Texas
In a remarkable transformation, the traditionally Democratic counties of South Texas have experienced a dramatic shift towards former President Donald J. Trump. This trend is particularly evident in the communities along the Rio Grande, where a significant majority of the population is comprised of Hispanic residents. Historically, these regions, characterized by a blend of sprawling urban centers and rural ranch lands, have stood as bastions of Democratic support for generations.
However, in the recent elections, a notable change has taken root. On Tuesday, Mr. Trump firmly secured South Texas and the border region, triumphing in 12 out of the 14 counties that line the border with Mexico. Notably, he made substantial gains even in El Paso, the largest city along the border. To put this in perspective, in 2016, Mr. Trump managed to win only five of these counties.
The surge of support for Mr. Trump in the Texas border region serves as a striking illustration of a broader national trend, where Hispanic and working-class voters are increasingly aligning with the Republican candidate. This shift is not confined to rural areas; it has also been observed in major urban centers, including Miami, as well as parts of New York and New Jersey.
What sets Texas apart is particularly telling. Among the top 10 Democratic counties that exhibited the most significant swing towards Mr. Trump in the recent elections, eight are located on or near the Texas-Mexico border. This shift is indicative of a larger political realignment in the region.
One of the most pronounced changes occurred in Starr County, a rural area with a population of approximately 65,000. The county, dotted with small towns, has seen the construction of border wall sections, and many residents face low incomes while commuting long distances to employment opportunities in the West Texas oil fields. On Tuesday, Starr County flipped to Republican support, backing Mr. Trump by an impressive 16 percentage points, a striking reversal from his loss to Hillary Clinton by 60 points in the 2016 election.
