Tenessee's Democratic Dilemma: Moving to Texas and the Quest to Turn Blue

In an era where shifting political landscapes are reshaping the political identity of once-blue states, the question arises: Why would Democrats move to Texas and try to change Texas to a blue state if they left their blue homelands due to taxes or economic reasons? The answer lies in a complex interplay of political ideology, personal economic pragmatism, and the inherent difficulty of change.

Democrats Hope to Improve the Lives of All Citizens

The underlying hope driving this political migration is the desire to improve the lives of all citizens, rather than to simply recreate the political and economic conditions of their home states in a new environment. Democrats, particularly those moving to Texas, aim to bring their progressive ideals and policies to a state that traditionally leans towards the right. However, the challenge they face is significant.

Demographics and Voter Erosion

First and foremost, it's important to note that most people moving to Texas have tended to hold right-of-center views. As Ashwin Dollar aptly points out, during the 2018 race between Beto O’Rourke and Ted Cruz, the victory was largely due to support from native Texans, not newcomers. This native support for progressive candidates is more substantial than the general perception. Nevertheless, voter participation is often hindered by the belief that major elections are predetermined. This belief may be changing, but it likely means a more energized group of voters on both sides, including Republicans, rather than just Democrats.

The issue is further complicated by the fact that people often relocate to Texas for work or quality of life reasons, not politics. My personal journey to Houston exemplifies this. As a fairly right-of-center individual, I was drawn to Texas due to the opportunity to perform high-level legal work in a low-cost-of-living city. My wife, who previously held radical views, only began voting in the 2020 presidential election because “making Texas blue” became a recurring theme in news discussions. It underscores the reality that people will take the plunge to improve their quality of life even if the political landscape remains predominantly red.

A Political Buffet Illusion

Regardless of the reasons for relocation, many newcomers to Texas hope to blend their political ideals with the realities of Texas's existing political and economic framework. This is a deceptive belief, for government is a system of trade-offs, not a buffet where one can pick and choose political policies without any repercussions.

For instance, the reasons behind Texas's growth as a hub for middle-class job creation are rooted in a “low tax, low benefit” model and relatively less regulatory burden. While proponents of increased government spending and support often do not explicitly aim to raise taxes, they frequently contribute to higher tax burdens. Similarly, those advocating for more regulations often argue that businesses will still flourish, ignoring the fact that local entrepreneurship often suffers without regulatory flexibility.

This belief in making significant changes without impacting existing preferences is a form of self-deception. These trade-offs are inherent in any political system, and attempting to change the entire political landscape through relocation is challenging. Democrats moving to Texas are no exception. They aim to bring their progressive agendas and improve the lives of residents, but the political and economic realities of Texas challenge these ambitious goals.

Conclusion

The question of why Democrats would move to Texas and try to turn it blue despite leaving their blue homes for taxes or economic reasons is multifaceted. It involves a blend of political optimism, economic pragmatism, and the inherent complexity of political transformation. While their efforts may face significant challenges, their ultimate goal remains noble: to improve the lives of all citizens. Whether these efforts will succeed in marshaling enough support to create a lasting change remains to be seen.