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Chapter 26Political Parties, Interest Groups, Elections, and Campaigns in Texas


Chapter Outline and Learning Objectives

Roots of the Political Parties, Interest Groups, Elections, and Campaigns in Texas

LO 26.1: Trace the gradual evolution of political parties, interest groups, elections, and campaigns in Texas.

Political Parties in TexasLO 26.2: Differentiate among the three components of political parties in Texas, and identify their functions in the state’s party system.



Interest Groups in TexasLO 26.3: Categorize the types of interest groups in Texas and the methods they use to influence elections and public policy in Texas.

Elections and Political Campaigns in Texas

LO 26.4: Identify the types of election systems held in Texas, and analyze the role of strategies in political campaigns.



Toward Reform: Recent Proposed Changes in Elections and Campaigns

LO 26.5: Evaluate how recent reforms have impacted political parties, interest groups, elections, and campaigns.


Roots of Political Parties, Interest Groups, Elections, and CampaignsLO 26.1: Trace the gradual evolution of political parties, interest groups, elections, and campaigns in Texas.

• Political parties– Republican Party took control, 1868-1874– Era of one-party Democratic dominance, 1874-1986– New Deal created first split with national Democratic

Party• Interest groups

– The Grange– Increase with social and economic diversification

• Campaigns– Primaries dominant under one-party Democratic era

To Learning Objectives


For most of Texas’s early history, what type interests were dominant?

A. OilB. ConstructionC. High techD. AgricultureE. International trade

LO 26.1



• Party Organization– Formal Organization

• Temporary Organization– Precinct convention– County convention– State senatorial convention– State convention

• Permanent party organization

– Precinct chairperson– County chairperson and

county executive committee– State party chair and

executive committee

Political Parties in TexasLO 26.2: Differentiate among the three components of political parties in Texas, and identify their functions in the state party system.



• Democratic Party unity– 1976 liberals gain control– 1980s – 1990s conservatives move to Republican Party

• Republican Party unity– Clash between social and economic conservatives

• Party effectiveness – ability to carry out– (1) institutional support activities (fund-raising,

electoral mobilization programs, etc.)– (2) candidate-centered activities (contributions, etc.)– Republican Party more effective.– Republican activists involve members more often.

LO 26.2

Party Organization



• Voters don’t register with parties, so polls determine party identification in TX.

– Distribution of party attachments changed over time

– Realignment• Young voters, new residents Republican• Some Democrats switched parties.• Voting trends in 1970s versus 2000s

LO 26.2

Party in the Electorate



• In the executive branch– Lack of cooperation during campaign lack of

cooperation in office• In the legislature branch

– Party caucuses not strong• In the judiciary branch

– Governors tend to appoint members of own party when vacancies arise.

LO 26.2

Party in Government


Which of the following long-term trends has been observed in the party in the electorate in Texas?

A. The number of independents has fallen steadily.B. The number of independents has risen steadily.C. The number of Republicans has fallen steadily.D. The number of Democrats has fallen steadily.E. The number of Democrats has remained the

same.

LO 26.2



Which of the following long-term trends has been observed in the party in the electorate in Texas?

A. The number of independents has fallen steadily.B. The number of independents has risen steadily.C. The number of Republicans has fallen steadily.D. The number of Democrats has fallen

steadily.E. The number of Democrats has remained the

same.

LO 26.2



• Types of Interest Groups– Business groups and trade associations– Professional associations– Labor groups– Racial and ethnic groups– Public-interest groups

• Political Activities of Interest Groups– Lobbying

• Many former members of the executive or legislative branch

• Provide substantive information for legislation• Business interests dominate

– Electioneering• PAC campaign contributions• Litigation

Interest Groups in Texas LO 26.3: Categorize the types of interest groups in Texas and the methods they use to influence elections and public policy in Texas.



Most lobbyist represent

A. business interests.B. professional associations.C. labor groups.D. religious or ethnic groups.E. public-interest groups.

LO 26.3



Elections and Political Campaigns in TexasLO 26.4: Identify the types of election systems held in Texas, and analyze the role of strategies in political campaigns.

• Types of Elections– Primary elections– Special elections– General elections– Local elections

• Political Campaigns in TX– Money – few restrictions– Media– Marketing

• Switch from party-centered to candidate centered role of political consultants



• Fewer than ½ eligible voters participate in presidential elections; fewer than 1/3 in gubernatorial elections

• Voter Turnout– Minimal requirements today– 1991 Motor-voter registration system– Electronic systems increase ease of voting

• The vote choice– From party-centered to candidate centered

LO 26.4

The Voters’ Decisions



Approximately what proportion of eligible voters in Texas vote in the governor’s race?

A. 9 out of 10B. 2 out of 3C. 1 out of 2D. 1 out of 3E. 1 out of 4

LO 26.4



Toward Reform: Recent Proposed Changes in Elections and CampaignsLO 26.5: Evaluate how recent reforms have impacted political parties, interest groups, elections, and campaigns.• Notification of former prisoners of restored voting rights vetoed by Perry

• Voter ID proposal• General-purpose PAC

campaign contributions reporting requirements passed in 2009.



Texas often implements reforms piecemeal. Which of the following areas did the Texas legislature pass laws to achieve a small reform in 2009?

A. Voter registrationB. Voter IDC. Notification of prisoners of voting rightsD. Campaign finance reporting requirementsE. None of the above.

LO 26.5



Texas often implements reforms piecemeal. Which of the following areas did the Texas legislature pass laws to achieve a small reform in 2009?

A. Voter registrationB. Voter IDC. Notification of prisoners of voting rightsD. Campaign finance reporting

requirementsE. None of the above.

LO 26.5



Figure 26.1: Are Texas party organizations highly centralized or decentralized?

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Table 26.1: How does the Texas party system compare to the party systems of other large states?

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Figure 26.2: Do the changes in party identification from 1952 to 2010 point to a realignment of the party system in Texas?

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Figure 26.3: Which party controlled most Texas counties in the 1970s?

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Figure 26.4: Which party controlled most Texas counties in the 2000s?

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Figure 26.5: What are the Texas PAC lobbying expenditures by sector?

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copyright © 2611 pearson education, inc. publishing as longman

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