A generation ago party identity was not formed at a national level. In the South almost everyone was democrat. Where I live now, if you want to win local office you have to run as a democrat (until this past election!). That is changing now, but back in the day Southern Democrats were generally conservative.
You are indeed correct....the county I live in Texas (Fannin) the home of Mr. Sam....Sam Rayburn, the longest serving speaker of the house in our country....was the bastion of Democrats...now known as “Dumbcrats”....because the elections of 2010...not a person at the county level running as a Democrat won....zero...none...zada.... This has happened across the south as the crazies have taken over the Democrat party....
See post 14.