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K.Mooneyham wrote: ↑Tue Jul 06, 2021 10:50 am

chasfm11 wrote: ↑Tue Jul 06, 2021 10:38 am

Flightmare wrote: ↑Tue Jul 06, 2021 9:56 am

Malawler wrote: ↑Tue Jul 06, 2021 4:36 am The only thing a challenge to Abbott will accomplish is enough of a split among the Republican vote to allow a Demo-rat to win.

I do not get why people keep saying this. The split would happen in a republican primary, in which the democrats have zero involvement.

The winner of the republican primary would be the likely winner of the general election in November. Yes, you would have some voters who are upset their candidate that didn't win and would abstain from voting for Abbott, but I suspect you'll see people undervote Abbott this election anyways due to their displeasure with his recent run.

That being said, the current 3 challengers are likely to all pull votes from each other as they are all attempting to run as anti-Abbott.

The problem in Texas is that Democrats vote in the Republican primaries. They choose the Republican candidate (in some cases) that they want their Democratic candidate to run again in the general election. Voter apathy among the Republicans in the primaries makes this a bigger deal than it should be. Too many people think that showing up for the general election and voting for the Republican candidate gets the job done. Challengers to the "establishment" Republicans (like my own representative) who have poor voting records never get a chance. So we keep sending the same people back to represent us who have failed us in the past.

I'm constantly trying to get Republican voters to get out and vote in the primaries. Many folks complain about candidates in the general election, but simply cannot be bothered to vote in primary elections. Makes you wonder if they even understand how it all works.

K.Mooneyham: Sadly, many do NOT know how it works. I had to educate someone voting in a primary election (apparently for the first time) when they were confused why there were separate lines for democrats and republicans at the polling location.

chasfm11: The solution is to engage more people in the primary process. The only way to get better candidates is to select the best candidate in the primary election. This should be where we sharpen our blade by choosing the stronger candidate.

I have always said that my thought process for elections is to vote for the candidate on the ballot that I believe will be the most effective advocate for issues I believe need to be addressed. I repeat the process for any runoff and general election. Sometimes my preferred candidate does not win the primary or runoff. The thought process is still the same, vote for the candidate who will be the most effective advocate. And just because I agree with a particular candidate more than others, does not mean I believe they will be an effective advocate. They may advocate for the issues I agree with, but if they're not effective....what is the point?

Malawler wrote: ↑Tue Jul 06, 2021 4:36 am The only thing a challenge to Abbott will accomplish is enough of a split among the Republican vote to allow a Demo-rat to win.

I do not get why people keep saying this. The split would happen in a republican primary, in which the democrats have zero involvement.

The winner of the republican primary would be the likely winner of the general election in November. Yes, you would have some voters who are upset their candidate that didn't win and would abstain from voting for Abbott, but I suspect you'll see people undervote Abbott this election anyways due to their displeasure with his recent run.

That being said, the current 3 challengers are likely to all pull votes from each other as they are all attempting to run as anti-Abbott.