Why John Sharp Lost ...
Looking at a group of East Texas Counties, and granted, these are still early results ... but the trend is showing in other places where the vote is completely in as well.
Counties: Gregg, Harrison, Nacadoches, Panola, Rusk, Sabine, San Augistine, Shelby
1998 Lite Gov Race:
Sharp - 47798 - 50.9%
Perry - 46104 - 49.1%
2002 Lite Gov Race:
Sharp - 45640 - 47.9%
Dewhurst - 49661 - 52.1%
Furthermore, Sharp has done nothing to help gain votes for his Dream Team in these counties:
2002 Senate:
Kirk - 35756 - 37.4%
Cornyn - 59744 - 62.6%
2002 Governor:
Sanchez - 36183 - 38.0%
Perry - 59141 - 62.0%
The trend is also visible in Jefferson and Galveston counties where the Sharp vote has diminished:
Galveston:
98 LtGov - 55.3% Sharp
02 LtGov - 50.9% Sharp
Jefferson:
98 LtGov - 64.9% Sharp
02 LtGov - 60.9% Sharp
And with that, the writing is on the wall for John Sharp and its time to rethink what it takes to win in Texas for us Dems.