Republican Turnout Explodes in First Primary, 3799

Good afternoon, I’m still reporting on the first primary elections of 2022.

The first election in the nation are the Congressional primaries in Texas on March 1. However, important data is already streaming in from early voting from several counties along the Rio Grande Valley.

According to The Monitor – a local Democrat leaning newspaper from that area of Texas, the increases in Republican participation in the primary elections is far exceeding the participation by Democrats.

As of close of business on Friday, there were 3,760 ballots cast by Hidalgo County voters in the Republican primary, compared to only 1,861 votes cast in the last comparable election in 2018 – a 67% jump in Republican participation.

In this same heavily Democrat district, there were 13,680 Democrat ballots cast this year, compared to 17,470 cast at this point in the 2018 election, a 24% decline in Democrat participation.

The Republican National Committee is very interested in eventually flipping the area. In October, the RNC opened a Hispanic community center in McAllen, Texas, hoping to woo voters in the district to the Republican side of the aisle. Texas Gov. Greg Abbott, who is running for reelection has made several trips to the area, and Donald Trump has visited the district three times in the last two years.

The trend towards Republican candidates is appearing to continue in down-ballot races as well, such as County Judge and District Attorney races. So much so that the lack of Democrat turnout has needed an explanation by Texas Democrat Chair, Gilberto Hinojosa:

“I’m surprised to see there would be less Democratic turnout in the Hidalgo County primary, and I haven’t had a chance to analyze the reasons for that, so we’ll wait.”

However, the Hidalgo County results are hardly something to inspire confidence. Yes, Democrat participation jumped 44% there, however, Republican participation, as of last Friday, has jumped 108%.

Election day in Texas is 8 days away, on March 1. The rumblings of the return of the Monster Vote are already being felt.

I’m still reporting from the citadel of world freedom. Good day.