Blogmocracy in Action!
Guest post by: Huckfunn!!
We’ve recently had several discussions on the importance and direction of the Hispanic vote in the upcoming mid-term elections. Texas District 23 could well be the national bell weather for the Hispanic vote for several reasons:
1. The 23rd is the largest geographic district in Texas and one of the largest in the country. It stretches from East El Paso County almost to Laredo and includes all of San Antonio. That’s easily 2/3rds of the Texas border with Mexico.
2. The 2000 census shows the population of the District to be 55.1% Hispanic, 41% white, 2% black and 2.2% other. The 2010 census will undoubtedly show a significant increase in the Hispanic percentage.
3. As a border district, Texas 23 represents many of today’s hot button issues such as immigration, border security and the growing violence in Mexico.
4. The race for this district pits the Democrat incumbent, Ciro Rodriguez against Republican Quico Canseco. Both candidates are Hispanic which will tend to mute any racial component of the election.
I had simply assumed that a border district like the 23rd would most certainly be heavily democrat but that is not the case (raaaaacist?).
Real Clear Politics currently shows this district to be a toss-up. The most recent poll that I could find has the Republican up 43% to 37% .
You may remember Rodriguez’ recent outburst against one of his constituents when he was questioned about his vote for Obamacare.
I’ll be keeping a close watch on this race as we get closer to November. Should be interesting.
– Huckfunn
