The further demise of Democrats in Texas

Houston Chronicle:

The Chambers County sheriff's race will spell the end of an era when Democrats once dominated the political scene here.

Sheriff Joe LaRive, the last countywide officeholder from Chambers County to run as a Democrat, has switched parties for the March 4 primary.

LaRive now faces only one challenger, Hugh Sigers, in the Republican primary. No Democrat has filed for the position.

Yet when the rice-farming county was originally formed in 1858, the political rulers liked Democrats and not Republicans. Most races were then decided in the Democratic primary because no Republicans bothered to run.

The shift started about 10 years ago as the county grew increasingly Republican from an influx of residents from Harris County.

"It happened quickly because our county is so small, only about 30,000 people," Republican Chairman John Havenar said. "New subdivisions were sprouting just across our county line and filling up."

The 344th state district judge and the tax assessor-collector joined LaRive in switching party affiliations within the past year. None of those who switched has an opponent except LaRive.

The only remaining Democrats elected countywide are District Attorney Mike Little and 253rd State District Judge Chap Cain. However, both live in Liberty County and are elected to represent both Liberty and Chambers counties.

Officials speculate that soon there could be none. The state has already decided Little will no longer handle Chambers County next year, and the governor is expected to name a Republican replacement.

While countywide-elected officials have diminished, a few constables, justices of the peace and commissioners continue to win elections as Democrats. This happens only in parts of the county not being affected by the new growth, officials said.

LaRive explained his reasons for switching: "Because I could see the obvious trend in county-wide races. Republicans are also more in line with my conservative beliefs."

...

What started happening state wide a few years ago is now taking place in the counties. With Democrats like Obama and Clinton heading the national ticket that makes it even harder for a Democrat to survive in Texas local races. The Democrat party just does not have much room for conservatives anymore and those who stay are constantly having to compromise their principals.

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