Democrats won most of Harris County on Tuesday, but a stretch of west Harris County near the Katy Freeway remained Republican. The villages just south of the Katy Freeway were an exception, which one voter described as a red island in a sea of blue. Inside the Beltway, most voters supported the Democratic Senate candidate.
Beth Payne, a voter who lives in the area, said she was a little disappointed by the broader results but hopes things will turn around. She credited local residents with having strong values and working hard. Rice University political science professor Mark Jones said other factors play a role. He said River Oaks has higher home values, but apartment residents in other areas can affect results, while the villages have more single-family homes. He said homeowners there are very attentive to property taxes and may view Republicans favorably.
According to county election results, the Republican candidate for the local district led by more than six points. Jones said Republicans should focus less on that win and more on why they lost other districts. Payne said the party could do better by focusing on its candidates' character.