Historic Elections & Campaigns Archives | Texapedia

20th Century History

Yarborough vs. Bush: Liberal Triumph in the Cold War Era

The Failed 1964 Senate Campaign That Launched a Presidential Career

Texapedia StaffJuly 9, 2025

20th Century History Texas History

Lyndon Johnson’s Disputed 87‑Vote Victory

In 1948, Lyndon B. Johnson won the Democratic primary for U.S. Senate in Texas by just 87 votes—an outcome clouded by allegations of fraud.

Texapedia StaffJuly 16, 2025

20th Century History

Dallas and the Conservative Turn in Midcentury Texas Politics

Dallas became a political laboratory for conservatism in Texas during the Cold War, producing key candidates, leading donors, and grassroots networks that helped turn the state Republican by the 1980s.

Texapedia StaffJuly 31, 2025

20th Century History

History of the Poll Tax in Texas

Texas imposed a poll tax on voters from 1903 to 1966, requiring annual payment to cast a ballot. It disproportionately burdened poor voters and skewed the electorate along both racial and class lines.

Texapedia StaffJuly 27, 2025

Texas History The Courthouse Era (1875-1900)

The Rise and Fall of the Populist Party in 1890s Texas

Emerging from rural discontent, the Populist Party rose and fell quickly but shaped Texas politics in lasting ways. This article explores the party's origins, policy positions, and reasons for its decline.

Texapedia StaffJuly 6, 2025

Second Texas State Capitol building as seen in an historic photograph taken in 1875.

Texas History The Reconstruction Era (1865–1874)

The 1873 Coke–Davis Election Dispute

Surrounded by armed men and refusing to concede defeat, Governor Edmund Davis barricaded himself in the Capitol, touching off one of the most dramatic political standoffs in Texas history.

Texapedia StaffJuly 16, 2025

20th Century History Biography Governors of Texas

“Pappy” O’Daniel: Populism and Political Theater in Depression-Era Texas

A businessman-turned-radio-star, W. Lee “Pappy” O’Daniel rose to power in 1930s Texas through musical populism, moralistic messaging, and anti-politician rhetoric.

Texapedia StaffJune 27, 2025

Biography Governors of Texas

The Governorship of George W. Bush: A Forgotten Bipartisan Era

Before his presidency, George W. Bush served as Texas governor from 1995 to 2000 and partnered with Democrats to pass education reforms, child welfare programs, and tax relief.

Texapedia StaffJuly 27, 2025

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The basic nature of humanity is unchanging through the ages. Politics changes, technology, the economy, the environment, culture—all change. Yet humankind tends to repeat the same follies and to forget hard-learned lessons, age after age. For this reason, the ancient book of wisdom known as Ecclesiastes observed, "What has been is what will be, and what has been done is what will be done, and there is nothing new under the sun. Is there a thing of which it is said, 'See, this is new'? It has been already in the ages before us. There is no remembrance of former things, nor will there be any remembrance of later things yet to be among those who come after” (Eccl. 1:9-11, ESV).

The study of history reminds us of the pitfalls, challenges, and triumphs of our forebears. It is not always a happy story (“All things are full of weariness," Eccles. 1:8), but it is a worthy pursuit for those seeking wisdom. History gives us not only knowledge of the past but also understanding of the present age: how it came to be, the forces that have shaped it, and insights into the nature of humanity itself.

As you explore Texas history, we invite you to imagine yourself living in another age. Try to picture yourself in the shoes of different people—leaders and common folks alike. This is how history becomes more than a ledger of events; its telling and retelling invite us to reflect, imagine, and grow.

There is no single “correct” way to read or write history. Yet beware of idealized versions of the past—simplistic, black-and-white narratives with distinct ‘good guys’ and ‘bad guys,’ often crafted for political ends. Such histories are easy to grasp and may feel morally compelling. But wisdom doesn’t necessarily come from reading history in a simple, idealized way. Instead, try grappling with nuance, search out details, ask probing questions, and consider perspectives that may not align with your own.

History need not be boring. At its best, it is a discipline that sharpens the mind, cultivates empathy, and helps us to know ourselves more deeply.

— Texapedia Staff

Texapedia is not affiliated with any political party, and the articles on this site are written in an encyclopedic tone. Yet a project like this is inherently political in a broader sense: it deals with government and civic life, and our stated mission is to equip citizens with knowledge to “reform what is lacking in their government while conserving what is good about it.”

This sounds simple enough, since we live in an age of abundant knowledge: search engines, AI chatbots, and digital repositories can provide us with reams of information on almost any topic in an instant. Yet many Americans are too distracted to take in any of it. Ours is also an age of addictive social media, viral outrage, and “bingeworthy” entertainment.

There is also a crisis of authority. Americans no longer know who to trust, what information is reliable, and how to separate noise from substance in public discourse. The information environment is chaotic and disputatious. Information is rarely presented in coherent, organized ways that provide context and detail. Instead, many Americans learn about the world around them through TikTok, Instagram reels, 100-word tweets, or cable news sound bites. The nation is more politicized than ever—yet less connected, less communal, less trusting.

Here at Texapedia, we look on these developments with concern. You can read more of our perspective in the essay Toward Civic Renewal: Recovering Sobriety in a Frivolous Age.

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