Through the years, not much has changed in the Texas Senate and/or the Texas House of Representatives when it comes to the demographics of people in office or running. According to Anthony Champagne, a majority of the Texas legislators are either male, white or graduated with a degree. (Champagne, 214) In the Texas Senate and Texas House of Representatives, more than 80% was calculated as being male and roughly 30% were women while the Texas population reflected that men and women were evenly split. (Champagne, 214) The reflection of the legislator is inconsistent with that of the state. Gender is not the only thing separating the odds of the state, but race, age, and education play a big part in how the Legislature is split.
In Texas, the white population in comparison to Latins comes close by four percent yet Latinos hold just 43% of office in government and Whites place in office exceeds the Texas population in all. (Champagne, 214) African American and Asian’s population in Texas evenly reflect the numbers that have a role in the Texas Senate and House. (Champagne, 214) The major thing that is holding people from taking part in the government by all comes down to education. Statistics show that majority holds a place in office are those who either obtain a Bachelors or Graduate Degree compared to those of a lower level education, while the Texas population estimates only 7-9% Graduate with higher than an associates degree. (Champagne, 214)
A few examples of the statistics shown above starting with Governor Greg Abbott. Greg Abbott, A middle aged white male Republican, served as the 48th Governor of Texas. (About Gov. Abbott) Abbott graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree in Finance and shortly after received a law degree. (About Gov. Abbott) Before He became Governor of the state of Texas, he worked as a Justice on the Texas Supreme court and a state District Judge. (About Gov. Abbott) Prior to his current role in Government, he served as Attorney General of Texas. (About Gov. Abbott)
Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick, also in his late sixties, is a white male Republican Candidate who got elected back in 2014. (Home) Before he served as Lieutenant Governor of the state of Texas, his occupations were that out of the ordinary for someone who is usually elected. He was a small-business owner who dabbled in arts and televised shows as a television anchor, movie producer, musician, radio host, sportscaster, and Christian author. (Home) Agricultural commissioner Sid Miller (Republican) took place in office in 2015 yet another white male in his late-sixties. (Texas Dep.) He served as an Agricultural commissioner, He was a farmer, rancher, agricultural teacher, school board member and also served in the House of Representatives. (Texas Dep.) His highest form of education was a Bachelor’s Degree in Science. (Texas Dep.)
Attorney General Ken Paxton (Republican) falls into the same category as the rest of the people sitting in Office. Ken is A white male in his mid-fifties, who got elected back in 2014 and 2015. (Liberty) Not only did he Graduate with a Bachelor Degree in Psychology but went on to get his MBA and a Law Degree. (Liberty) He worked in the House of Representatives, Texas State Senate, Council for J.C. Penny, Attorney within a law firm, and later on ran his own Law firm for more than 14 years. (Liberty) Texas Comptroller Glenn Hegar (Republican), A middle-aged white male, got elected back in 2015 and served in the Texas Senate and House of Representatives. (Accounts) His level of education went on to a Master’s Degree in art and Master’s in Law. (Accounts) He also was a former Farmer. (Accounts)
Land Commissioner George P. Bush (Republican), was elected back in 2014. Bush Graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree and Law Degree. (George P. Bush) His former occupations consisted in A real estate Firm, Investment Firm dealing with Oil and Gas, and Accessing Private Businesses. (George P. Bush) George P. Bush is yet another middle-aged White Male in office. Lastly, The Rail Road Commissioner (Republican) Graduated with a Degree in Mechanical Engineering who then founded Pinnacle Advanced Reliability Technologies. (About Us)
He’s been involved with energy trade associations. (About Us)
Majority Who Ran in Texas Government, as you can read above, are all White middle-aged Men that are Republicans. You can proceed to see how the Legislative and Executive Branch in Texas is split in a Jurassic measure. Women and Minorities are underrepresented in the Texas Government. Latino compromises more than 30% of the U.S population, nonetheless there are less than 10% in Congress and even less in State legislation. (Champagne, 165) One of the major issues that Latinos and white in Texas struggle with is the DREAM Act, which allows children, brought by their parents illegally to the U.S., to be able to get a degree, work, and later become a citizen. According to Anthony Champagne, about half of white population in Texas oppose the DREAM act while most Hispanics support the policy. (Champagne, 171) the majority white population in Texas believe that this is a way that illegal immigrants pardon their actions. Although there is a small percentage of Latinos who also oppose the policy, yet most African American are likely to support such a policy. (Champagne, 171) The DREAM Act has been an off and on the subject when it comes to the legislative and executive branch to make a decision in keeping the policy going as many fights for it to stay.
Statistics show that education and class are one of the major problems in getting people to vote or run for office. Voters tend to be more educated, wealthier, older, and whiter than those who don’t vote. (Champagne, 170) Younger demographics are less likely to vote than older ones and is proven that 70% of voters tend to be thirty years of age or older. (Champagne) Although surprisingly, with very little women in office, its shown that women voter turnout is much higher than man.
Most don’t engage in politics because their knowledge of the structure of government is very limited to none. I believe that if there were better political education to younger and/or poor audience then they would be more intrigued in having a say with how policies and elections go. Simplifying voter registration would be another step in getting people to vote. Also, they should make a transportation system for those who can’t afford to even reach a voting booth because they have no means of getting there. Reforms and Barrier to voting must be removed to drive eligible voters to booths, more than just a Presidential Election. Getting more people to get involved in campaigns and their knowledge base on interest groups, allowing them to voice their opinion on what needs to be changed within the government and even just in their communities alone. At the end of the day, everyone wants to be heard even if the issue is slim to none on actually becoming a policy, but to know that there are more people like them running for office will make them want to vote rather than not at all.