Dem's Failure An Opportunity For Greens

If you've read this blog for long, then you've heard me describe the Texas Panhandle as the reddest part of Texas. You may have wondered why I would say that since Texas has a lot of really red territory -- places where a Republican candidate is virtually assured of winning. But in those other areas, the Democrats do run a candidate against the Republicans (even if that candidate has little chance of winning). That doesn't always happen here in the Panhandle.

For example, consider the District 13 seat for the United States Congress -- currently held by right-wing Republican Mac Thornberry. This district covers all of the Panhandle and a good part of North Texas (a very large district over 300 miles long). In 2010 the Democratic Party did not even field a candidate for that seat, and they have failed to do so again in 2012.

This is not really surprising since the state Democratic Party leadership has virtually written off West Texas and the Panhandle, and is not willing to invest any money in any races there. Just like in the past, they are concentrating only on the urban areas of Texas and South Texas (where Democrats already hold seats). It's a plan destined to make sure Democrats remain a minority party in Texas, but it's what the leadership has done for years now (and a primary reason why Democrats hold NO statewide elected offices).

But the gutless timidity of the Democratic Party has presented an opportunity for the Green Party. Even though there is no Democratic candidate in Congressional District 13, it will be a three-way race -- and there will be a progressive running for the seat. The Green Party is fielding a candidate for the District 13 seat -- Keith F. Houston of Randall County.

I have no illusions about Mr. Houston's chances of winning -- he's a long shot at best. But strange things happen in politics. If Democrats turn out in large numbers and vote for Houston because there's no Democrat on the ballot, if Libertarians eschew the Republican and vote for their own candidate, and if too many Republicans stay home because they can't stomach the eventual Republican presidential candidate, then a political miracle could happen.

And District 13 is not the only race where Democrats have failed to enter a candidate. There are at least five statewide offices where there are no Democrats running against the Republican incumbent. In two of those races there are Green Party candidates. That should be good enough to get the Green Party enough votes (a minimum of 5%) to stay on the ballot for 2014. My friend and fellow blogger Perry over at Brains and Eggs has written an excellent post on this, and I urge you to read it.