Texans for Hillary chair: ‘I am convinced this is our time’

Hilary Clinton supporters, including state Sen. Kirk Watson, D-Austin and former Land Commissioner Garry Mauro, on hand at the Clinton headquarters in Austin on Feb. 15, 2016. Hilary Clinton supporters, including state Sen. Kirk Watson, D-Austin and former Land Commissioner Garry Mauro, on hand at the Clinton headquarters in Austin on Feb. 15, 2016. Photo: Peggy Fikac/San Antonio Express-News Photo: Peggy Fikac/San Antonio Express-News Image 1 of / 1 Caption Close Texans for Hillary chair: ‘I am convinced this is our time’ 1 / 1 Back to Gallery

Former four-term Texas Land Commissioner Garry Mauro came to Midland Thursday to tell Democrats and the people of the Permian Basin that Donald Trump doesn't represent Texas values and the polls show Hillary Clinton can win Texas.

Mauro, the chairman of Texans for Hillary campaign, expects the former secretary of state to become the 45th president of the United States, saying the polls show too great of a spread and only complacency, not Republican Donald Trump, is the Democratic Party’s biggest foe at this point.

However, on the same day, a University of Texas/Texas Tribune poll showed Trump leading Clinton by 3 points (within the margin of error).

Mauro said an opportunity is staring Texas Democrats in the face -- for the first time in 40 years, a Democratic candidate for president can carry Texas.

Does he believe the November election will mean Texas has turned Democratic Party “blue?” He wasn’t going there, as he said he would treat a first victory of a Democrat statewide since 1994 as an outlier.

Still, he delivered a passionate argument for his candidate, directing his argument toward undecideds and Democrats.

He told those sitting on the fence with less than two weeks before the Nov. 8 Election Day that the facts and information provided by real journalists (not “blogs”) point to Clinton being the ideal candidate. He said to check out why 41 newspapers in the state of Texas -- including those which traditionally back conservatives -- endorsed Clinton, while only one is backing Trump. (Editor’s note: The Reporter-Telegram does not endorse candidates running for election).

He also said the fact-checkers are showing Clinton to be more straight-forward with voters.

“We need Texans to get a hold on reality. Look at the polls, read the facts put out not by Democrats but by the Republican newspapers that normally endorse Republican candidates for president. See what they say and then make you decision,” Mauro said.

For Texans whose blood is Democrat blue, Mauro said this election provides a cure -- or at least temporary relief -- from “Texas Democrat Syndrome.” He said Texas Democrats need to get more confident because this isn’t just any presidential election.

The secretary of state’s website shows that Republican presidential candidates have a 15-point advantage (56.35 to 41.01) over Democrats going back to 1996.

“I am convinced this is our time,” Mauro said. “I’m not convinced we will be a blue state when this all over, but I am convinced Donald Trump does not represent Texas values and that we can win this election.”

He expects Trump to win white males in Texas, but that Democrats should carry Hispanics, African-Americans, Asians, millennials and women.

“I don’t think there are enough white guys that he can win,” Mauro said. “It is a numbers game, pure numbers, and they say we can win this election.”

RealClearPolitics.com shows Trump with a 4.7 percent lead using three polls going back to Oct. 10-12. The most recent UT/Tribune poll is not factored in the RCP average.

Mauro sounded off on Trump for his comments on the election being “rigged.” He also said should Clinton win, “elections have consequences” and Republicans leaders should be prepared to carry through a Clinton agenda like Democrats rallied behind the Bush tax cuts of 2001.

Presidential elections in Texas since 1996

1996: Bob Dole 48.76 percent, Bill Clinton 43.83

2000: George W. Bush 59.3 percent, Al Gore 37.98

2004: George W. Bush 61.09 percent, John Kerry 38.22

2008: John McCain 55.43 percent, Barack Obama 43.68

2012: Mitt Romney 57.17 percent, Barack Obama 41.01

Average (1996-2012): Republican 56.35 percent, Democrat 41.01