Ending abortion rights is a primary goal of Republican activists, and this session’s legislation, including a plan passed by the House and Senate that would ban abortions the moment a fetal heartbeat is detected, is a continuation of a prolonged effort by Republicans to reverse the impact of Roe vs. Wade, the Supreme Court case that made abortion legal in the United States.
Last week the Senate approved a plan that would allow residents to carry a gun without a license or training. It now goes back to the House for a final version.
Carrying a gun without a license or training is opposed by law enforcement officials. And most Texans oppose efforts to let people carry handguns without a permit, according to a poll released Sunday by The Dallas Morning News and the University of Texas at Tyler. By 58% to 26%, Texans oppose permitless carry, the poll found. Last month, opposition was greater, 64% to 23%.
But when it’s cast as a response to misleading claims that Biden plans to get rid of Second Amendment rights, it’s likely a winner with conservative voters.
More than a year ago a small band of GOP activists criticized Abbott for implementing a mask mandate and ordering the shutdown of businesses to curb the spread of COVID-19. Late last year the governor removed the orders against the advice of many health experts, but the spread of the virus has since declined in Texas.
Still, Abbott, who is expected to sign the bills, and Republicans have to respond to what their conservative base wants, or risk having serious primary opponents. On Monday former state Sen. Don Huffines, R-Dallas, announced a GOP primary campaign against Abbott.
Any Republican officeholder not in concert with the conservative agenda in Austin faces being driven out of office by primary voters.
Abbott and Republicans do face risk of a backlash in the general election, when Democrats and independents have their say. After the 2018 elections, Democrats netted 12 Texas House seats and won two congressional races, including Colin Allred’s victory over incumbent Pete Sessions in North Texas’ District 32.
Republicans got the message.
The 2019 legislative session was highlighted not by wedge issues, but nuts and bolts items. The Legislature approved legislation that provided teacher pay raises, more money for schools and property tax relief.
But Trump was president in 2018, and much of the success Democrats enjoyed that year involved their efforts to push back against his agenda, including efforts to repeal the Affordable Care Act.
The party in the White House often experiences losses in midterm elections, and in 2022 Republicans are expected to benefit from conservative voters resisting Biden.
Another benefit for the Texas GOP is that they will redraw the state’s electoral boundaries during the redistricting process. It’s the central reason why the 2020 losses were so devastating for Texas Democrats.
Republicans are comfortable that most Texas voters support their efforts.
For those who don’t like what’s going on in Austin, you’ll get a chance at the ballot box next year to have a say on the state’s future direction.
