Texas and Newcomers (college, living, moving to)

[adalke2]

Hello, everyone! I'm new to the City-Data Forum (in fact, this marks my first post on the site!). I'm a 21-year-old college student graduating in December (majoring in business administration-supply chain management and marketing). I've unfortunately lived in Illinois my entire life and have had it with this state. From what I have seen, heard and learned, I would love to move to Texas. I do have one question, though:

As someone deeply committed to protecting and advancing liberty and freedom, I would like to run for public office someday. Do you think the voters of Texas would receive and embrace a candidate who moved to the state in his early 20s? I apologize for any vagueness in my question, and I will gladly clarify any confusion. I sincerely appreciate any help and advice anyone can offer. Thank you so much!

[TexasTheKid]

Originally Posted by adalke2

Do you think the voters of Texas would receive and embrace a candidate who moved to the state in his early 20s?

Hey, we're responsible for George Bush II. We can be duped into thinking any carpetbagger is one of our own.

[neddy]

hmmm I understand your question. I guess it would depend on the experience level that you have at the time you decide to run for office. Some of the smallest towns might question your motives as a newcomer and you show up and decide things new to "change" and the town-folk may not like that to much. If you show that you have some experience and actually care for the area and you embrace Texas then you might have a fair shake at things. Good luck.

[TT Dave]

First off, welcome to the forum! I'm a native Texan and in reference to your question I don't think you would have trouble running for office someday as long as you live here a while first (several years would be good). People here would probably be less likely to vote for you if you had just moved here and ran right away. That would most likely be the case no matter what state you move to. My advice would be to come on down, settle in and get aclimated to living down here, and think about politics later on down the road. Hope this helps.

[adalke2]

Thank you to everyone who has replied so far!

I wouldn't move down and run right away; I would say I'd wait at least 20 years. And the political environment and government in Texas are exactly two reasons why I have dreams of moving to the state (once you've lived in Illinois, you see how bad state governments can get...), so I have no hopes to fundamentally change things.

And TexasTheKid, I hope you were kidding when you said "carpetbagger". I wouldn't want to enter public service for selfish reasons; like I said, I would throw my hat into the ring to protect and advance liberty (something Texans seem to know how to do extremely well!). Thanks again, everyone, for your thoughts!