Tumultuous. Crazy. Just a couple of words that describe Texas politics in 2021.
Texas politics were in the national spotlight from the beginning of the year to the end. In January, members of the state legislature were talking about election integrity and redistricting. Debates that would eventually lead to Democrats fleeing to Washington, D.C in an attempt to avoid multiple special sessions. In February, a winter storm exposed the state's power grid. Later in the year, pushback by conservatives against Governor Greg Abbott’s COVID policies. In addition, political consultant Bill Miller says there was an impactful law passed in 2021.
“I think the one that created the most hue and cry was the heartbeat bill,” Miller said. “It struck close to home with a lot of people, particularly women.”
He believes Republicans positioned themselves well for 2022. In January, a lawsuit over the heartbeat law will go before a federal appeals court. In November, Democrat Beto O’Rourke is hoping to make a comeback in the world of Texas politics by challenging Abbott in the Governor’s race.