Texodus: Why are Texas Republicans in Congress heading for the exits?

[planosteve]

WASHINGTON — Four rapid-fire retirement announcements by Texas Republicans in Congress have prompted fresh soul-searching for a political party that’s seeing its decades-long dominance in the Lone Star State start to teeter.

The obvious question: Why?
No one reason explains it all. But looming large is the fact that Texas’ demographics continue to shift, particularly in the suburbs; that the GOP faces long odds to win back the House; and that President Donald Trump’s reelection bid, for good or ill, is going to set the tone in 2020.
“The president’s ability to change the narrative, to dominate the news cycle — if you are a candidate right below him on the ballot, that brings in a whole series of variables that are uncomfortable for incumbents,” said Todd Olsen, an Austin-based GOP political consultant.

Four Texas Republicans in Congress recently announced that they would not seek reelection next year: from left, Rep. Mike Conaway of Midland, Rep. Will Hurd of San Antonio, Rep. Kenny Marchant of Coppell and Rep. Pete Olson of Sugar Land. (AP Photo/Susan Walsh; AP Photo/Eric Gray; Virginie LeFour/Belga/Zuma Press/TNS; Austin American-Statesman/TNS)
Even with all of the congressional turnover — and the prospect that more could be coming — the GOP still sits in the catbird seat in Texas.
Republicans are favored to keep their streak of not losing a statewide race in Texas since 1994 and not losing a presidential battle there since 1976. Some conservatives are also bullish that the changing of the guard in Congress could bring new enthusiasm to help bolster their caucus.
But many in the GOP are taking note of the warning signs, even if they reject Democrats’ taunts that the party is running scared.
Kenny Marchant becomes fourth Texas congressman to retire as GOP exodus grows
Marchant’s district is a prime example, evolving in recent years from turf where he once ran all but unopposed to one where he scraped by last year with just a 3-point victory.

“The battle for Texas will be in the suburbs,” said Brendan Steinhauser, an Austin-based GOP consultant who’s worked on several congressional campaigns, noting that those areas in Texas are both growing and changing.

In light of the rumors that the retirement boom may not be finished, The Dallas Morning News reached out to the remaining 19 Republican members of Texas’ congressional delegation to ask if they are running for reelection.
None of them volunteered a forthcoming exit, though a spokeswoman for Rep. Mac Thornberry of Amarillo said only that he’s “not told us anything about retirement at this time.”
Most everyone else answered with a simple “yes.” Some added rhetorical flourishes for emphasis, with Reps. Michael McCaul of Austin and John Carter of Round Rock looking to combat persistent chatter that they, too, might be heading for retirement.
San Antonio Rep. Will Hurd, a Republican, announces shocking decision that he won't seek reelection in 2020

https://www.dallasnews.com/news/electio ... -mean-2020

[John in Plano]

When do those Texas Republicans change hats and seek office as Democrats ?

[mayhem]

When do those Texas Republicans change hats and seek office as Democrats ?

We'll see.

[jellowrestling]

When do those Texas Republicans change hats and seek office as Democrats ?

When senility sets in?