Why the Rural Texas Vote Matters Most in the Primary

For many rural Texans, elections can feel like a formality. By the time November rolls around, the outcome often seems decided. But that's exactly why the primary election matters more than any other vote you will cast.

In much of rural Texas, the primary is the election of consequence. Thanks to gerrymandered districts and one-party dominance, whoever wins the primary is very likely to hold office. That means the real decision about who represents you -- in Austin, in Washington, and in your own county courthouse -- happens long before the general election.
And that's why rural voters must pay closer attention to what's really happening in these primaries.

Ballot Measures Are Not Laws

Let's start with ballot propositions.

Primary ballot measures are often presented as if they are policy decisions. They are not. They do not create law. They do not change statute. They are party polls, designed to test messaging and manufacture consent for agendas that may already be decided.
School vouchers are a perfect example. Voters are often asked simplified, emotionally framed questions, without context or consequences. Later, those results are cited as proof that "Republicans support vouchers," even in rural districts where voters and communities have repeatedly opposed them.
These ballot measures are frequently used against rural Texans -- weaponized to override local concerns and justify policy that benefits outside interests, not local schools or taxpayers.

Know what you are voting on. And just as importantly, know how your vote may be used after the fact. If a ballot measure's language is unclear to me, I vote no.

Be Wary of Fake Scorecards and Paid Labels

Another trap rural voters face is the flood of "conservative scorecards," mailers, and digital ads telling you who the "real conservative" is.

These are not neutral sources of information.

Groups like Texas Scorecard present themselves as grassroots watchdogs, but they are funded by a small number of wealthy donors -- most notably Tim Dunn -- who are also funding candidates directly through PACs such as Texans United for a Conservative Majority.

The goal is not accountability. The goal is control.

These scorecards reward loyalty to an agenda set in Austin, not effectiveness or independence on behalf of rural communities. They punish lawmakers who ask questions, represent their districts honestly, or refuse to fall in line.

That should concern every voter who believes in local control.

Endorsements Are About Power, Not Quality

High-profile endorsements can also be misleading. 

Endorsements from Donald Trump or Greg Abbott are not evaluations of who will best represent your district. They are signals of political alignment and leverage. 
In recent cycles, we've seen blanket endorsements for Texas House members who voted for vouchers -- even in rural districts where voters clearly oppose them. These endorsements are about maintaining influence and enforcing obedience, not about selecting the best candidate for your community. 

Rural Texans should never outsource their judgment to politicians who do not live here, send their kids to our schools, or depend on our local economies. 

The Primary Shapes Local Government, Too 

Primaries aren't just about Congress or the Texas Legislature. They also decide who will serve as county commissioners, sheriffs, and other local officials who directly control roads, taxes, emergency services, land use, and infrastructure. 

These races rarely get attention, but they shape daily life more than almost anything happening in Austin or Washington. If rural voters disengage here, we lose influence where it matters most. 

How to Evaluate Candidates the Right Way 

My advice is simple: research candidates the same way you would research someone you are about to hire. 

Look beyond slogans and endorsements. Ask: 

A practical tool for this is Transparency USA, where you can see who is contributing and how concentrated that support is. Heavy reliance on a single donor network is a red flag -- especially in races claiming to be "grassroots."

True grassroots movements don't require millions of dollars from a few wealthy individuals. They are built by people, not checkbooks.

Not All PACs Are the Same

It's also important to say this clearly: not all PACs should be viewed equally. 

Ideological mega-donor PACs are very different from association PACs like the Farm Bureau, Cattle Raisers, or Realtors. Those organizations are made up of thousands of individual members, and their endorsements are typically built from the ground up, based on local relationships and district needs. 
Who a PAC represents matters just as much as how much it gives. 

The Choice Before Rural Texas 

Rural Texans are not powerless. But we are often underestimated -- and sometimes manipulated -- because we're told to trust labels instead of doing our own homework. 
The primary is where agendas are set, loyalty is tested, and independence is either rewarded or punished. If we want representatives who answer to us -- not to Austin insiders or billionaire donors -- we must vote informed, skeptical, and engaged. 

Rural Texas doesn't need louder voices from elsewhere. 

We need leaders who still listen at home.