Will Elon Musk turn Texas blue?
Tesla is moving to Texas. Elon Musk said Thursday he's shifting the company's headquarters to Austin from California — one year after he decried the Golden State's pandemic restrictions as "fascist." He's not alone: In the last year, California-based companies like Oracle, Hewlett Packard Enterprise, and Charles Schwab have all trumpeted their moves to Texas, attracted by the low taxes and dearth of regulations that make it red-state paradise.
But what if Musk and his fellow CEOs end up turning Texas blue?
It's not a completely outrageous notion. The most important divide in America's electoral politics right now is education: People who have college degrees mostly flock to the Democratic Party. Those who don't tend to lean Republican. The headquarters of the big corporations that move to Texas will be staffed, naturally, with a bunch of folks with degrees, many of them ex-Californians.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
That makes conservatives anxious. "Are you worried that all these Californians will bring their values and degrade the state of Texas?" Fox News host Tucker Carlson asked Gov. Greg Abbott (R) last December. "This is the number one question I get from fellow Texans all the time," Abbott replied.
Some caveats are needed. While Texas is defined by its conservatism, there have been plenty of predictions in recent years that the state was on the cusp of moving to the Democratic column. (Democrat Beto O'Rourke is perpetually this close to winning statewide office.) So far, none of those forecasts have panned out — former President Donald Trump easily won the state in 2020, albeit by the smallest margin of any GOP presidential candidate since 1996. Abbott, meanwhile, says his own polling suggests many newcomers to the state are actually fairly conservative. What's more, we don't yet know how Texas' controversial new abortion law might affect the business landscape; Democratic-leaning job seekers could simply choose to look elsewhere.
Still, as Texas Monthly points out, Tesla and other incoming corporations will undoubtedly influence the state's culture and politics, whatever their own political views. They'll drive up housing prices and bring new residents with higher incomes than the state's native population. One way or another, Texas is about to change.
Create an account with the same email registered to your subscription to unlock access.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Joel Mathis is a freelance writer who has spent nine years as a syndicated columnist, co-writing the RedBlueAmerica column as the liberal half of a point-counterpoint duo. His work also regularly appears in National Geographic, The Kansas City Star and Heatmap News. His awards include best online commentary at the Online News Association and (twice) at the City and Regional Magazine Association.
-
The murky role of military contractors in war
The Explainer A civil case against US company has revived debate over the increasing use of private security firms in military operations
By Richard Windsor, The Week UK Published
-
The week's best photos
In Pictures Playful goslings, an exploding snowman, and more
By Anahi Valenzuela, The Week US Published
-
What is rock flour and how can it help to fight climate change?
The Explainer Glacier dust to the rescue
By Devika Rao, The Week US Published
-
Arizona court reinstates 1864 abortion ban
Speed Read The law makes all abortions illegal in the state except to save the mother's life
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
Trump, billions richer, is selling Bibles
Speed Read The former president is hawking a $60 "God Bless the USA Bible"
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
The debate about Biden's age and mental fitness
In Depth Some critics argue Biden is too old to run again. Does the argument have merit?
By Grayson Quay Published
-
It's not really about Biden's brain — unless it is
Talking Points Depending on who you ask, the renewed focus on the president's mental acuity is an election-year distraction, a legitimate point of concern, and sometimes both
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
The politics of music: should political rallies use well-known songs?
Talking Point The Smiths star Johnny Marr is latest musician to object to use of his music at a Donald Trump rally
By Sorcha Bradley, The Week UK Published
-
How would a second Trump presidency affect Britain?
Today's Big Question Re-election of Republican frontrunner could threaten UK security, warns former head of secret service
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
'Rwanda plan is less a deterrent and more a bluff'
Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
By The Week UK Published
-
Cop 28 verdict: are climate summits working?
Talking Point Global leaders are not fully committed to averting the climate crisis, say critics
By The Week Staff Published