Guide to The Fifty: Red River South (and Florida)
Texas, Oklahoma, Louisiana, Arkansas and Florida
Florida: Fears of Socialism
The difference that brought Trump the largest presidential margin in Florida since 2004 was his ability to court several Hispanic communities that previously voted for Hillary Clinton by appealing to fears of socialism.
Texas: Trouble at the Border
Conservative Hispanics in South Texas have historically supported Democrats but the national Democratic party’s calls to defund the police and transition away from fossil fuels have influenced many to rethink their vote.
Louisiana: Erosion of Democrats
As the state’s voting patterns largely fall along the racial divide, it’s imperative that Democrats work to build enthusiasm and increase registration among the state’s historically disenfranchised Black population to remain competitive.
Oklahoma: When Democrats Disappear
The southeastern portion of the state (often dubbed “Little Dixie”) was once a Democratic but much of the area’s conservative voters have defected to the Republican party. This transition seems to have reached its logical conclusion; all of those once blue counties gave Trump as much as 80% of their vote.
Arkansas: Capitalist Conservatives
Arkansas continues to lean more and more conservative, complicating things for a state Democratic party that is associated with the liberal national party and is increasingly unable to create its own distinct identity amongst local voters.
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