We are a Democratic island, in a sense, around a lot of Republican counties.”
H. T. Fillingim, a Rotan local, and also the winner of the democratic primaries for Fisher county’s position of sheriff says that’s just the way it’s always been.
“We kind of like living in our ruts. We kind of like sticking our heads up every once in a while and going, ‘Oh yeah, it’s ok,’ and going on.”
Digging a little deeper, searching for something besides just tradition, led to a conversation with past mayor and current local Democratic chair Jarry Marshall.
“Fisher county has been so Democratic primarily because of the agriculture based economy,” commented Marshall.”
According to Jarry, the people of Fisher county have done better under Democratic management and they’ve never had a Republican local official. However, it seems that times are changing.
“It’s politics, they change, they’re not written in stone,” stated Fillingim.
According to Jarry, while the older population stick to their voting habits, newer members of the county are trending towards Republican.
“Maybe it’s catching a little. I’ve always thought it was kind of like the Dallas Cowboys. If the Dallas Cowboys are winning, everybody can be a Cowboys fan.”
And this year, for the first time in a long time, there are more republican votes cast than in the past.
“Yes, more republicans registered as republicans in fisher county than ever before,” stated Jarry.
Both men are of the mindset that whatever comes the county will work together, but Jarry finished with this comment.
“You know, Texas is a red state. I have to admit that. I might not like it, but I have to admit it. As long as I’m the party chair I’m going to beat the drum for the Democratic party.”
(Information from BigCountryHomepage.com)
