Texas Progressives tea leaves on the election

Rural Republicans fed up with threats from data centers may indeed sway the midterms. Or they may not. First, the rural part of the state's population continues to shrink. Second, we have no guarantee that these vote concerns will cause a flip. After all, last year, an unincorporated area in Hood County, about bitching about AI noise, voted down an incorporation referendum, the one and only way they could have taken more control. Finally, it's a sad day when Byron Cook is called a "moderate Republican." Finally, finally, I'm not taking the Trib's poll.

The Monthly has its own piece on how Gina Hinojosa has pivoted to making data centers a key part of her attempt to unseat Strangeabbott, and how she's trying to walk around social issues. Per how it ends its piece, we'll see how many flip. My impression on such issues in general is that many people claim they're going to flip and don't, thinking and hoping that making a certain comment to an interviewer or staking a certain position in a poll will "send a message" to a politician strong enough that they'll moderate. Answer? They won't. 

In addition, the Observer notes that the state has continued permitting data centers even after his pause, and then lying about it. 

Off the Kuff reviewed the Q3 campaign finance reports for Senate and Congress in Texas. 

SocraticGadfly detailed how Ken Klippenstein has become a Pander Bear, with little recent actual investigative reporting.

Talarico, riffing on what I said Elmo Musk missed in his direct-mail fliers, is going all in on a final theme of "Friday Night Lights." Why? Per the Monthly, a lot of its viewers were 18-to-49 upper-middle-class women, the type of women that, especially if they're from suburban or exurban areas, Talafreako needs.

As some of them, especially on the Democrat side, are running for higher office, it's interesting to read the Trib's rating of Legiscritters by key votes. And, on the Dem side in the House? Talafreako, six genders aside, is about dead center. 

Speaking of ratings, the Observer looks at all the statewide Dems taking a pass on abortion and reproductive choice issues.

 Gwen Howerton dunks on Matthew McConaughey's dumb ideas about "independence" and wonders of this is "Peak McConaughey." (Let's hope so and that he goes away.)

Neil at Houston Democracy Project Blog reports young Saudi Arabian man asked John Cornyn Houston Office Protest if they’d get in trouble for sign critical of Trump. The reply was the 1st Amendment is our permit. Let’s maintain & expand our rights with both the vote & protest.  

Democracy Docket highlights the US Attorney for the Southern District of Texas making over the top threats against "illegal voting".

The Current recounts the trouble Gina Hinojosa's mom went through to cast her early ballot.  

Law Dork covers the ongoing Trumpian obsession with the East Potomac Golf Course.