Texas hasn’t always been red.

I’m old enough to recall things like the election of the first GOP governor since Reconstruction. Old enough to have been in the trenches when Republicans swept statewide offices, and here’s the thing 1/ #txlege #Election2020 https://twitter.com/texastribune/status/1322730894684311557

I do not recall either party back then resorting to thug-like tactics, fear-mongering and voter suppression like what we’ve seen in the Trump era. When the political winds shifted, you still saw two sides able to debate policy, forge compromise, pass meaningful legislation 2/

I’m thinking back to education reforms under Clements and Bush as one example. The Bush/Bullock era is one I often point to as strong leaders with opposing views but mutual respect. When the state turned red, Democrats didn’t chase down campaign busses and shout socialism. 3/

Parties and candidates debated ideas and issues, grounded more in policy and facts, not schoolyard name calling. And dangerous caravans of angry political trolls. The political winds were always bound to shift here. We’ve been blue. We’ve been red. 4/

How you manage those transitions of power matter. How parties and candidates respond to the pressing issues facing the state matter. Stop trying to suppress the vote. Stop the name calling. Stop the divisive rhetoric. Run a campaign worthy of the high office you seek. 5/

Voters are showing up in record numbers this year. Let them vote. Let their voices be heard. Both parties and candidates can and should put their constituents first...and be willing to listen to voters and to each other to forge compromise and get the important work done. /end