With early voting underway for municipal elections, it has become increasingly apparent that these elections have begun to shift toward partisanship in races that are traditionally non-partisan. According to Texas law, municipal elections are meant to be independent of party affiliations, with ballots designed to reflect candidates without any party labels. However, a growing movement among candidates and elected officials is challenging this principle, as partisan ideologies increasingly seep into local governance.
Notably in recent years, we learned of the switch of the Mayor of Dallas from one party to another which has set a precedent that has not gone unnoticed. As more candidates in cities like Rowlett embrace overt partisan identities, the lines between political affiliation and local governance are becoming blurred. This trend is concerning, especially in a political climate that thrives on division.
Local city council and mayoral races that once focused on community issues are now being overshadowed by partisan rhetoric. Candidates are increasingly vocal about their political beliefs, often prioritizing alignment with party ideologies over collaborative governance. This shift is evident in the declining participation of candidates in independent forums and the growing reluctance to respond to independent candidate questionnaires. Instead, many candidates are opting to engage only with like-minded constituents, further entrenching divisions within communities.
Partisanship at the municipal level poses significant risks to community cohesion. When local elections become battlegrounds for national party politics, the focus shifts from addressing the needs of the community to advancing partisan agendas. This division can hinder progress on critical local issues, as elected officials may prioritize party loyalty over the interests of their constituents.
The conservative group Texans for Fiscal Responsibility has been actively working to increase partisanship in independent municipal races, despite their claims of being an independent organization. While they present themselves as a non-partisan entity, the language used by their board of directors often reveals a strong conservative leaning, with descriptors like “strong conservative” and “unapologetic conservative” frequently used. As a designated 501(c)(4) organization, their policy mission emphasizes the importance of maintaining Republican majorities, asserting that “there are no excuses for lawmakers to be derelict in their duty to pass commonsense reforms called for by the grassroots.” This push for partisanship in lower offices threatens to influence local governance. It allows elected officials to don a partisan mask, enabling them to ignore constituents who do not align with their party. In a two-party system, such dynamics become increasingly dangerous, as they erode the foundational principles of representative democracy and diminish the efficacy of independent governance.
As George Washington warned in his Farewell Address, political parties can become “potent engines” that empower individuals to undermine the principles of democracy. When local elections are influenced by partisan divides, the very essence of community governance is threatened. The last great frontier for non-partisan decision-making is being compromised by the same divisive rhetoric that has characterized national politics.
“However [political parties] may now and then answer popular ends, they are likely in the course of time and things, to become potent engines, by which cunning, ambitious, and unprincipled men will be enabled to subvert the power of the people and to usurp for themselves the reins of government, destroying afterwards the very engines which have lifted them to unjust dominion. ” – George Washington
Citizens now more than ever must actively engage in local governance. Attend city council meetings and hold elected representatives accountable for their actions. Rather than allowing candidates to hide behind their partisan identities, constituents should demand transparency and a focus on community needs.
Residents of Garland, Rowlett, and Sachse are encouraged to remain vigilant and aware of the growing partisanship in their local elections. If you witness this trend in your community, consider sharing your experiences. The Garland Gazette invites you to send screenshots or accounts to [email protected].
