What sane Republican would have voted for that Alfred E Newman lookalike? He was a certified lunatic, who put his head up his ass everytime he opened his mouth, saying some of the strangest garbage I’ve ever heard. Just a creepy little SOB. I refuse to believe any Republican would vote for him. I think the Bushes fixed the race.
I don’t think a lot of Republicans voted for him. But I do think a lot just stayed home. Seems to be the case around my way. A lot of local R pols lost — some who had been in office nearly forever.
I also think that Texas has had a big influx of people from Blue states. Some were fleeing Blue states, but others were just relocating when their companies fled Blue states. Either way, their voting habits did not change much.
Lastly, lots of conservative Boomers are dying off.