The math isn’t complicated. Higher participation changes outcomes.
Winning this cycle has to be about more than swapping gavels and titles. It takes urgency, infrastructure that actually works, and leadership willing to fight for real, enforceable change, not just issue statements. Otherwise we’re just sitting in idle pretending we’re moving.
If you want proof of Reed's concept, look at Tarrant County and the Taylor Rehmet win. I am copying a comment I made in the Downballot Substack about what happened here in my backyard.
It was the Republican candidate who was paying consultants and talking about stuff no one cared about. It was the Democrat getting out there early, talking face-to-face, representing the actual things activating the voters and incredible backing by the Tarrant County Democratic Party.
Here are some numbers from local political analysts on the breakdown of the voting in the Taylor Rehmet race. One is from a Democrat and one is from a Republican and they come out pretty much the same. The takeaway here is a couple of things. National pundits cannot seem to grasp what open primaries mean for the partisan affiliation of voters. Is Tarrant County or Texas really "deep red" when there are no Democrats on down ballots and the only way to have representation is to vote in the Republican primary, even if you would be open to voting for a Democrat? There is a strong theory of the case that Tarrant County and Texas voters are on a spectrum between blue and red, with a definite but persuadable lean to Republican.
Texans will always be small "c" conservative BUT they will never be idiots. (Well, at least not ALL of them LOL). Non-ideological voters' partisanship is contingent on the candidate, the issues and how the local party backs these candidates up with meaningful support. See below.
What is super interesting to me is how local Republicans in NE Tarrant County recoiled from Leigh Wambganss. Note the article below saying that local Republicans who knew her called her "vile". Further, she has not mended her ways. She scolds Republicans for not voting for her instead of investigating whether she might have played a part in her own downfall. And then she predicts she will win when she meets Taylor again in the fall elections.This personality type fits Paxton to a "T". It is no doubt why Republicans are desperate that he not be the nominee.
I would also note the elephant in the room in Tarrant County and in Texas is the Latino vote. Mike Madrid is very tactful about saying "I told you so", but he did. But, Mike told us. I don't see Republicans doing anything but alienating Latinos right now.
Want him gone? He’s POTUS til 1/20/29 unless impeached. BUT he can be neutered(✂️?). DEMS must WIN midterms = Majorities in both chambers. 🚫 his cruelty, investigate his criminal cabinet, Justice for EpsTeen’s victims!⚖️
Absolutely game over if we don't win. And can't rest on our laurels. Ken Martin (?DNC?) is an idiot. Reed perfectly right about Mamdani and his ideas and enthusiasm!
Thanks. Been screaming this since November 2024 but you have detailed it nicely to show the necessity and immediacy. Did not take hem long to backtrack on the masks.
We need more than a tap dancing step-n-fetch it and a shuffling granny glasses wearing old guy to provide leadership. If the Dim Dems blow it again this November then it’s game over.
Good article Reed. Still out here working. Take care.
The math isn’t complicated. Higher participation changes outcomes.
Winning this cycle has to be about more than swapping gavels and titles. It takes urgency, infrastructure that actually works, and leadership willing to fight for real, enforceable change, not just issue statements. Otherwise we’re just sitting in idle pretending we’re moving.
We MUST win
If you want proof of Reed's concept, look at Tarrant County and the Taylor Rehmet win. I am copying a comment I made in the Downballot Substack about what happened here in my backyard.
It was the Republican candidate who was paying consultants and talking about stuff no one cared about. It was the Democrat getting out there early, talking face-to-face, representing the actual things activating the voters and incredible backing by the Tarrant County Democratic Party.
Here are some numbers from local political analysts on the breakdown of the voting in the Taylor Rehmet race. One is from a Democrat and one is from a Republican and they come out pretty much the same. The takeaway here is a couple of things. National pundits cannot seem to grasp what open primaries mean for the partisan affiliation of voters. Is Tarrant County or Texas really "deep red" when there are no Democrats on down ballots and the only way to have representation is to vote in the Republican primary, even if you would be open to voting for a Democrat? There is a strong theory of the case that Tarrant County and Texas voters are on a spectrum between blue and red, with a definite but persuadable lean to Republican.
Texans will always be small "c" conservative BUT they will never be idiots. (Well, at least not ALL of them LOL). Non-ideological voters' partisanship is contingent on the candidate, the issues and how the local party backs these candidates up with meaningful support. See below.
What is super interesting to me is how local Republicans in NE Tarrant County recoiled from Leigh Wambganss. Note the article below saying that local Republicans who knew her called her "vile". Further, she has not mended her ways. She scolds Republicans for not voting for her instead of investigating whether she might have played a part in her own downfall. And then she predicts she will win when she meets Taylor again in the fall elections.This personality type fits Paxton to a "T". It is no doubt why Republicans are desperate that he not be the nominee.
I would also note the elephant in the room in Tarrant County and in Texas is the Latino vote. Mike Madrid is very tactful about saying "I told you so", but he did. But, Mike told us. I don't see Republicans doing anything but alienating Latinos right now.
https://texastruth.substack.com/p/after-action-report?utm_campaign=post-expanded-share&utm_medium=web
https://christackett.substack.com/p/the-texas-sd9-runoff?utm_campaign=post-expanded-share&utm_medium=post%20viewer
https://greattransformation.substack.com/p/messing-with-texas?utm_campaign=post-expanded-share&utm_medium=post%20viewer
CAN WE STOP DJT’S DAMAGE?
Want him gone? He’s POTUS til 1/20/29 unless impeached. BUT he can be neutered(✂️?). DEMS must WIN midterms = Majorities in both chambers. 🚫 his cruelty, investigate his criminal cabinet, Justice for EpsTeen’s victims!⚖️
In the final paragraph, is "understate" supposed to be "understand"? It was confusing to me.
Yeah, cat on the keyboard. 😺🌊
Vote Blue in 2026! These Trump enabled Republicans who are still in office make me sick to my tummy.
I just started doing my research for local candidates in this spring’s election. There’s too many folks in the MAGA for my comfort.
Absolutely game over if we don't win. And can't rest on our laurels. Ken Martin (?DNC?) is an idiot. Reed perfectly right about Mamdani and his ideas and enthusiasm!
Thanks. Been screaming this since November 2024 but you have detailed it nicely to show the necessity and immediacy. Did not take hem long to backtrack on the masks.
We need more than a tap dancing step-n-fetch it and a shuffling granny glasses wearing old guy to provide leadership. If the Dim Dems blow it again this November then it’s game over.
GO BIG OR GO HOME!