Moody's Projects That Obama Will Romp Over Romney In November

[TBF]

21. Good article from the 26th district on this -

Fort Bend has been called a bellwether county so often that it’s easy to become skeptical about the use of the term—even if the description is accurate.

Fort Bend, which sits just southwest of Houston, is among the most diverse and fast- growing counties in Texas, part of the “Big Five” fast-growing suburban counties along with Collin, Montgomery, Denton and Williamson. It has pleasant subdivisions with genteel names like First Colony and Sugar Creek and an abundance of retail outlets along Highway 6, which barrels through Sugar Land, the heart of state House District 26.

After 16 years, Republican incumbent Charlie Howard is leaving the legislative seat once held by Tom DeLay, long before he became U.S. House majority leader. Four Republicans, including two women of color, are running for the open seat.

County GOP Chair Mike Gibson said the candidates have no “overriding” disagreements on policy issues and that the candidates’ backgrounds will partially determine their success.

Republicans have dominated Fort Bend County for years. They still do, despite the departure of many Anglos and the arrival of many people of color and first-generation immigrants that have transformed Fort Bend into a majority-minority county. The county’s population is about 660,000, of which 36 percent is white, 24 percent Hispanic, 21 percent black and 17 percent Asian, according to the most recent U.S. Census.

More here: http://www.texasobserver.org/cover-story/house-district-26-as-fort-bend-goes