The Assemblies of God made the largest Evangelical Pentecostal denomination in 2014. College football coaching hot seat and retirement watch for 2023, Returning production rankings for all 133 FBS teams, Texas A&M WR Smith returning for 2023 season, First look at college football's 2024 recruiting cycle: Players, schools and storylines to watch. [163], Texas has 3,700 named streams and 15 major rivers,[164][165] with the Rio Grande as the largest. [109] In 1940, Texas was 74% Anglo, 14.4% black, and 11.5% Hispanic. [173] At least 12 species have been introduced and now reproduce freely in Texas. The vast majority of these have charters for council-manager forms of government, by which voters elect council members, who hire a professional city manager as an operating officer. [285][286] The state's refineries can process 5.95 million barrels (946,000m3) of oil a day. [136] By 1990, Hispanics and Latino Americans overtook blacks to become the largest traditional minority group in the state. Copyright 2023 State of Texas. [334], Austin, The Live Music Capital of the World, boasts "more live music venues per capita than such music hotbeds as Nashville, Memphis, Los Angeles, Las Vegas or New York City". Alternative etymologies of the name advanced in the late 19th century connected the name Texas with the Spanish word teja, meaning 'roof tile', the plural tejas being used to designate indigenous Pueblo settlements. [37][38] Many of these peoples migrated from the north or east during the colonial period, such as the Choctaw, Alabama-Coushatta, and Delaware. Non-Christian faiths accounted for 4% of the religious population in 2014, and 5% in 2020 per the Pew Research Center and Public Religion Research Institute. You may be the first in your family to attend college, or you may come from a long line of proud Aggies. [209] Each county runs on Commissioners' Court system consisting of four elected commissioners (one from each of four precincts in the county, roughly divided according to population) and a county judge elected at large from the entire county. Purchase your tickets to join the Texas A&M University Bands for an afternoon of music as our students perform both wind band classics and new compositions. It was one of New Spain's least populated provinces. Several Spanish missions were opened in Caddo territory, but a lack of interest in Christianity among the Caddo meant conversions were few in number. "[48] Cabeza de Vaca also made observations about the way of life of the Ignaces Natives of Texas: They went about with a firebrand, setting fire to the plains and timber so as to drive off the mosquitos, and also to get lizards and similar things which they eat, to come out of the soil. [260] Texas is the fifth-largest Muslim-populated state in the country. [438][439] Commentators have also attributed the shift to Republican political consultant Karl Rove, who managed numerous political campaigns in Texas in the 1980s and 1990s. Changes to Texas Districts", "Lieutenant Governor Loses Texas Runoff as Tea Party Holds Sway", "Texas Lt. Gov. It may have been claimed by several different peoples, including Uto-Aztecans, Athabaskans, or even Dhegihan Siouans. Texas A&M University-San Antonio provides an accessible and collaborative learning environment. [240] Following continued population growth among people of color since the 2020 census alongside the 2022 Buffalo, NY mass shooting,[241] concerns about racial and ethnic tensions were highlighted in some Texas newspapers regarding the extremist Great Replacement theory.[242][243]. Texas A&M University ( Texas A&M, A&M, or TAMU) is a public, land-grant, research university in College Station, Texas. Among Mainline Protestants, the United Methodist Church was the largest denomination (4%) and the American Baptist Churches USA comprised the second largest Mainline Protestant group (2%). Charles Dimitry, "American Geographical Nomenclature", Glover, William B. Between 2000 and 2010, the total population grew by 20.6%, but Hispanics and Latino Americans grew by 65%, whereas non-Hispanic whites grew by only 4.2%. Cotton and lumber became major industries creating new economic booms in various regions of the state. Engineering Professor Hamid Toliyat is leading efforts for a multidisciplinary project to design, manufacture and test a lightweight and ultra-efficient electric powertrain for aircraft propulsion. By 2021, approximately 50,546 Texans spoke French or a French-creole language. [439] Other stated reasons included court-ordered redistricting and the demographic shift in relation to the Sun Belt that favored the Republican Party and conservatism. Texas's second-largest air facility is Houston's George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH). Hispanics or Latino Americans of any race made up 39.7% of the estimated population. Let us know if you have suggestions to improve this article (requires login). [181], Maximum temperatures in the summer months average from the 80s F (26C) in the mountains of West Texas and on Galveston Island to around 100F (38C) in the Rio Grande Valley, but most areas of Texas see consistent summer high temperatures in the 90F (32C) range. The Texas A&M Aggies left the Big 12 and joined the Southeastern Conference in 2012, which led the Big 12 to invite TCU to join; TCU was previously in the Mountain West Conference. Create your TxT account Black Methodists and other Christians made up less than 1 percent each of the Christian demographic. [217][218] At the 2020 census, the apportioned population of Texas stood at 29,183,290. As with some other states before, the lumber industry quickly expanded in Texas and was its largest industry before the beginning of the 20th century. [438] As Texas was always a conservative state, voters switched to the GOP, which now more closely reflected their beliefs. The name Deep Ellum comes from local people pronouncing "Deep Elm" as "Deep Ellum". [368], Notwithstanding the concentration of elite medical centers in the state, The Commonwealth Fund ranks the Texas healthcare system the third worst in the nation. [102] Opposition within the republic from the nationalist faction, along with strong abolitionist opposition within the United States, slowed Texas's admission into the Union. Railroad networks grew rapidly as did the port at Galveston as commerce between Texas and the rest of the U.S. (and the rest of the world) expanded. Meet Texas by Texas (or TxT for short), your personal, portable government assistant from Texas.gov. [395] In 2004, a combined total of $298billion of goods passed through Texas FTZs.[395]. To access other Texas.gov online services, visit the Driver Services page or use the Government Services Directoryto find what you need. [359], The state is home to various private institutions of higher learningranging from liberal arts colleges to a nationally recognized top-tier research university. A hurricane in 1875 killed about 400 people in Indianola, followed by another hurricane in 1886 that destroyed the town. [224] According to the American Community Survey's 2019 estimates, 1,739,000 residents were undocumented immigrants, a decrease of 103,000 since 2014 and increase of 142,000 since 2016. This is the buried crest of the Appalachian MountainsOuachita Mountains zone of Pennsylvanian continental collision. The Sabine River forms most of the boundary with Louisiana to the east, where by land it is bounded by Arkansas as well. Hostility towards Natives by white Texans would eventually prompt the movement of most Native populations north into what would become Indian Territorymodern-day Oklahoma. It is the home to 65 species of mammals, 213 species of reptiles and amphibians, including the American green tree frog, and the greatest diversity of bird life in the United States590 native species in all. [319] A popular food item, the breakfast burrito, draws from all three, having a soft flour tortilla wrapped around bacon and scrambled eggs or other hot, cooked fillings. The post Hagler Institute Inducts Its Largest Class Of Fellows During 11th Annual Gala At Texas A&M appeared first on Texas A&M Today. [136] Texas has the largest Black and African American population with over 3.9 million. [459][460][461][462], According to a survey of Division I-A coaches the rivalry between the University of Oklahoma and the University of Texas at Austin, the Red River Shootout, ranks the third-best in the nation. [106] Post-war Texas grew rapidly as migrants poured into the cotton lands of the state. [100] Mexico launched two small expeditions into Texas in 1842. At 268,596 square miles (695,660km2), and with more than 30 million residents in 2022,[10][11][12] it is the second-largest U.S. state by both area (after Alaska) and population (after California). [258] In 2020, the Jewish population grew to over 176,000. Strong economic and political ties with the Spanish empire from the 16th to the 19th centuries brought few known individuals to the Americas, but United States control in the early 20th century was responsible for Filipino settlement in every metropolitan area in the state. [109] When Abraham Lincoln was elected, South Carolina seceded from the Union. [277] Texas has a large commercial fishing industry. ", "Rough Country: How Texas Became America's Most Powerful Bible-Belt State", "Religion in America: U.S. [390] The institution's medical school employs the most medical school Nobel laureates in the world. On February 1, by a vote of 1668, the convention adopted an Ordinance of Secession from the United States. After this period, they supported Republicans for local and state offices as well, and most whites became Republican Party members. The Spanish felt jilted after having spent so much time and effort and began trying to lure the Caddo back, even promising them more land. [322][323], The internationally known slogan "Don't Mess with Texas" began as an anti-littering advertisement. The shoreline shifted again to the eastern margin of the state and the Gulf of Mexico's passive margin began to form. [208] Texas has the largest number of people living in colonias of all states. EXPLORE ACADEMICS WELCOME HOME The Aggie family is a friendly community that values diversity and offers endless ways to connect, have fun and serve others. [419] Trinity Metro also operates the TEXRail commuter rail line, connecting downtown Fort Worth and Northeast Tarrant County to DFW Airport. 1 producer of greenhouse gases", "Living, and coughing, downwind of Texas smoke stacks", "Table 1: Annual Estimates of the Population for Incorporated Places Over 100,000, Ranked by July 1, 2006 Population: April 1, 2000 to July 1, 2006", "Metropolitan and Micropolitan Statistical Areas Totals: 20102019", "The Texas Urban Triangle: Framework for Future Growth", "Distance Houston to Dallas Air line, driving route, midpoint", "Colonias FAQ's (Frequently Asked Questions)", Impoverished border town grows from shacks into community, "Run for Party Nomination to Public Office", "County Elections Partisan or Non-Partisan? In the same manner they kill deer, encircling them with fires, and they do it also to deprive the animals of pasture, compelling them to go for food where the Indians want.[49]. View All News. Pete Maravich's son, Jaeson, says father would be 'cheering on' Detroit Mercy star Antoine Davis potentially breaking his NCAA all-time career scoring record on Thursday. [372] The 2008 Men's Health obesity survey ranked four Texas cities among the top 25 fattest cities in America; Houston ranked 6th, Dallas 7th, El Paso 8th, and Arlington 14th. As of 2022, it has the most Fortune 500 company headquarters (53) in the United States. [51][52], European powers ignored the area until accidentally settling there in 1685. [384] Texas Medical Center performs the most heart transplants in the world. Texas joined the newly created Confederate States of America on March 4, 1861, ratifying the permanent C.S. Enjoy the Lone Star States parks, historical landmarks, campgrounds, fishing, hunting, exhibits, fairs, and culture. Statehood brought many new settlers. Mainline Protestants in contrast made up 15% of Protestant Texas. Historically, four major industries shaped the Texas economy prior to World War II: cattle and bison, cotton, timber, and oil. [153], During February 1317, 2021, the state faced a major weather emergency as Winter Storm Uri hit the state, as well as most of the Southeastern and Midwestern United States. [c] Spain was the first European country to claim and control the area of Texas. We know life is hectic! The county provides limited services to unincorporated areas and to some smaller incorporated areas. [43] Friendly tribes taught newcomers how to grow indigenous crops, prepare foods, and hunt wild game. The majority of Texas's population have been and remain predominantly Christian, influenced by Spanish Catholic and American Protestant colonialism and missionary work (75.5%). Because such intrusions are rare, and, perhaps, unexpected, they may result in crises such as the 2021 Texas power crisis. Judaism, Islam, and Buddhism were tied as the second largest religion as of 2014 and 2020. [349][350] The Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board (THECB) ranks the state's public universities into three distinct tiers:[351], Texas's alternative affirmative action plan, Texas House Bill 588, guarantees Texas students who graduated in the top 10 percent of their high school class automatic admission to state-funded universities. [376][377] On August 25, 2022, another law took effect that made committing abortion at any stage of pregnancy a felony punishable by life in prison. Collegiate athletics have deep significance in Texas culture, especially football. Traveling from east to west, one can observe terrain that ranges from coastal swamps and piney woods, to rolling plains and rugged hills, and finally the desert and mountains of the Big Bend. Your TxT account lets you link and manage licenses and registrations with Texas government agencies that youre probably already familiar with likethe TexasDepartment of Motor Vehicles (TxDMV), Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS), and Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR). [101] The cotton price crash of the 1840s depressed the country's economy. While Texas has few natural lakes, Texans have built more than a hundred artificial reservoirs. [253] The largest Catholic jurisdictions in Texas are the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houstonthe first and oldest Latin Church diocese in Texas[256]the dioceses of Dallas, Fort Worth, and the Archdiocese of San Antonio. Migrants abandoned the worst-hit sections of Texas during the Dust Bowl years. [410] Texas ports connect with the rest of the U.S. Atlantic seaboard with the Gulf section of the Intracoastal Waterway. [370] In May 2006, Texas initiated the program "code red" in response to the report the state had 25.1 percent of the population without health insurance, the largest proportion in the nation. [265], In 2010, Site Selection Magazine ranked Texas as the most business-friendly state in the nation, in part because of the state's three-billion-dollar Texas Enterprise Fund. [113] Juneteenth commemorates the announcement of the Emancipation Proclamation in Galveston by General Gordon Granger, almost two and a half years after the original announcement. This had also been their policy toward neighboring tribes before the arrival of the settlers. Austin, in the south-central part of the state, is the capital. [324], "Texas-sized" is an expression that can be used in two ways: to describe something that is about the size of the U.S. state of Texas,[325][326] or to describe something (usually but not always originating from Texas) that is large compared to other objects of its type. And were always working to add more agencies and services to TxT. [39] After Spain took control of Louisiana, most of the missions in eastern Texas were closed and abandoned. Your TxT account lets you link and manage licenses and registrations with Texas government agencies that youre probably already familiar with like. [388][389], Both the American Heart Association and the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center call Dallas home. ESPN Enterprises, Inc. All rights reserved. Texas was finally annexed when the expansionist James K. Polk won the election of 1844. [61] In 1749, the Spanish peace treaty with the Lipan Apache angered many tribes,[62] including the Comanche, Tonkawa, and Hasinai. [381] Texas has two Biosafety Level 4 (BSL-4) laboratories: one at The University of Texas Medical Branch (UTMB) in Galveston,[382] and the other at the Southwest Foundation for Biomedical Research in San Antoniothe first privately owned BSL-4 lab in the United States. News of the defeats sparked panic among Texas settlers. GET TO KNOW US PLAN FOR SUCCESS At the western edge of the North Central Plains lies the Caprock Escarpment, an outcropping of rock that stretches to the north and south for about 200 miles (320 km). Due to court-mandated equitable school financing for school districts, the state has a tax redistribution system called the "Robin Hood plan". Positioned between French Louisiana and Spanish Texas, the Caddo maintained cordial relations with both, but were closer with the French. It is difficult to say who lived in the northwestern region of the state originally. The Red River forms a natural border with Oklahoma and Arkansas to the north. Five other Deep South states quickly followed. The nationalist faction, led by Mirabeau B. Lamar, advocated the continued independence of Texas, the expulsion of the Native Americans, and the expansion of the Republic to the Pacific Ocean. [56] After Caddo resistance, the Spanish missionaries returned to Mexico. [271] To attract business, Texas has incentive programs worth $19 billion per year (2012); more than any other U.S. airport. By the time the region came to be explored, it belonged to the fairly well-known Comanche, another Uto-Aztecan people who had transitioned into a powerful horse culture, but it is believed that they came later and did not live there during the 16th century. And if you ever need to make changes, just sign into TxT and update your choices in account settings. [386], San Antonio's South Texas Medical Center facilities rank sixth in clinical medicine research impact in the United States. It was ultimately, though, the discovery of major petroleum deposits (Spindletop in particular) that initiated an economic boom that became the driving force behind the economy for much of the 20th century. This is followed by cotton at $1.9 billion (14.6 percent), greenhouse/nursery at $1.5 billion (11.4 percent), broiler chickens at $1.3 billion (10 percent), and dairy products at $947 million (7.3 percent). [340], Between 2006 and 2007, Texas spent $7,275 per pupil, ranking it below the national average of $9,389. [466] The annual Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo is the largest rodeo in the world. 2022 season schedule, scores, stats, and highlights. Over the years, the Texas Rangers have investigated crimes ranging from murder to political corruption. The founders of the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) used the Texas agency as one of their models for petroleum price control. [434][435], Although Texas was essentially a one-party state during this time and the Democratic primary was viewed as "the real election", the Democratic Party had conservative and liberal factions, which became more pronounced after the New Deal. France held a short-lived colony. The second half of the show kicks off with South Carolina women's basketball coach Dawn Staley, who reacts to beating LSU on Sunday and the Eagles losing in the Super Bowl. The image of Texas was that of a raw and lawless frontier when it relinquished its independence to become a state. [206], In contrast to the cities, unincorporated rural settlements known as colonias often lack basic infrastructure and are marked by poverty. [342] The TEA has no authority over private or home school activities. . [390][391], Texans have historically had difficulties traversing Texas due to the state's large size and rough terrain. The phrase "everything is bigger in Texas" has been in regular use since at least 1950. Follow along as the TexAgs crew provides live updates of the action between the Aggies and Rebels. Texas A&M offers more than 130 majors designed to ignite your curiosity, equip you to lead and launch the career of your dreams. U.S. [373] The state is ranked forty-second in the percentage of residents who engage in regular exercise according to a 2007 study. In early 1835, wary Texians formed Committees of Correspondence and Safety. The Metropolitan Transit Authority of Harris County, Texas (METRO) operates light rail lines in the Houston area. [285], Unlike the rest of the nation, most of Texas is on its own alternating current power grid, the Texas Interconnection. 9 Texas a B12 title shot. [152] As of February 2, 2021, there had been over 2.4 million confirmed cases in Texas, with at least 37,417 deaths. Well guide you through the onboarding process so you can set up your profile, choose your notification preferences, add payment methods, and more. ", "Late Cretaceous and Tertiary Burial History, Central Texas", "Texas Wildlife Identification & Viewing Guide", "Range Extension and Solitary nest founding in Polistes Exclamans", "Occurrence and Phenology of Polistine Wasps (Hymenoptera: Vespidae) in Southern Louisiana", "Lady Bird Johnson's I-95 Landscape-Landmark Tour Highway History FHWA General Highway History Highway History Federal Highway Administration", "Mauriceville, Texas Travel Weather Averages", "Weather averages Dallas-DFW Intl Arpt, Texas", Hurricane Harvey: Preliminary Estimates of Commercial and Public Sector Damages on the Houston Metropolitan Area, "Here's how tropical storms have impacted Texas in the past 35 years", "Tropical Storm Allison blew through Houston 19 years ago", "Tropical Storm Claudette: The 'Mother Lode' of floods", "Polar vortex: What is it and how does it happen? [81], The Anahuac Disturbances in 1832 were the first open revolt against Mexican rule, and they coincided with a revolt in Mexico against the nation's president. [123] In 2017, Hurricane Harvey made landfall in Rockport as a Category4 Hurricane, causing significant damage there. Of the undocumented immigrant population, 951,000 have resided in Texas from less than 5 up to 14 years. The first historical document related to Texas was a map of the Gulf Coast, created in 1519 by Spanish explorer Alonso lvarez de Pineda. The Austin area is nicknamed the "Silicon Hills" and the north Dallas area the "Silicon Prairie". Purchase your tickets online. [436], The state's conservative white voters began to support Republican presidential candidates by the mid-20th century. [277] At $7.4 billion or 56.7 percent of Texas's annual agricultural cash receipts, beef cattle production represents the largest single segment of Texas agriculture. [224] The major countries of origin for Texan immigrants were Mexico (55.1% of immigrants), India (5%), El Salvador (4.3%), Vietnam (3.7%), and China (2.3%). [369] Texas ranks close to last in access to healthcare, quality of care, avoidable hospital spending, and equity among various groups. In return, for US$18,250,000, Mexico gave the U.S. undisputed control of Texas, ceded the Mexican Cession in 1848, most of which today is called the American Southwest, and Texas's borders were established at the Rio Grande. It is one of the 32 states that practice capital punishment, and since the US Supreme Court allowed capital punishment to resume in 1976, 40% of all U.S. executions have taken place in Texas. Republican U.S. Rep. Tony Gonzales of Texas is facing a rare potential censure back home over votes that included supporting new gun safety laws after the Uvalde school shooting that was in his district, A large storm system spouting heavy winds and possible tornadoes in Texas, Louisiana, Alabama and Kentucky damaged homes and buildings, downed trees, left thousands without power and was blamed for the deaths of five people Friday as it marched eastward, threatening heavy snow in the Midwest and Northeast, Tornadoes touched down in Texas and Louisiana as a powerful storm system that dumped snow in California moved eastward, Federal officials are investigating a string of close calls between planes, including one this week at Bostons Logan Airport, Damion Baugh scored a career-high 24 points, Emanuel Mille had 20 and No. [193][194] Usually, prevailing winds in North America will push polar air masses to the southeast before they reach Texas. [172], A wide range of animals and insects live in Texas. These changes helped Texas universities receive federal research funds. TxT also helps you avoid the uh oh, I forgot" momentsby sending proactive emails and text reminders when its time to take action. [57] When France began settling Louisiana, mostly in the southern part of the state, in 1716 Spanish authorities responded by founding a new series of missions in East Texas. [125], In 1901, the Democratic-dominated state legislature passed a bill requiring payment of a poll tax for voting, which effectively disenfranchised most blacks and many poor whites and Latinos. [387] The University of Texas Health Science Center is another highly ranked research and educational institution in San Antonio. Once you create your account with a Texas driver license or ID, TxT takes charge bykeeping track of your upcoming deadlines, reminding you when its time to take action, and letting you wrap up transactionsin just a few clicks. [126][127] In the 1890s, 100,000 blacks voted in the state; by 1906, only 5,000 could vote. [154][155] Historically high power usage across the state caused the state's power grid to become overworked and ERCOT (the main operator of the Texas Interconnection grid) declared an emergency and began to implement rolling blackouts across Texas, causing a power crisis. [400] In traffic, DFW airport is the busiest in the state, the fourth busiest in the United States,[401] and sixth worldwide. The state sales tax rate is 6.25 percent,[271][273] but local taxing jurisdictions (cities, counties, special purpose districts, and transit authorities) may also impose sales and use tax up to 2percent for a total maximum combined rate of 8.25 percent. The most common accent or dialect spoken by natives throughout Texas is sometimes referred to as Texan English, which itself is a sub-variety of a broader category of American English known as Southern American English. After Texas's annexation, Mexico broke diplomatic relations with the United States. Linda and Dennis Clark pledged a $20 million lead gift for the cutting-edge facility. [385] The University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center in Houston is a highly regarded academic institution that centers around cancer patient care, research, education and prevention. The DallasFort Worth metroplex is one of only twelve American metropolitan areas that host sports teams from all the "Big Four" professional leagues. [77] Most of these early settlers who arrived with Austin and soon after were persons less than fortunate in life, as Texas was devoid of the comforts found elsewhere in Mexico and the United States during that time. [222][223], In 2015, Texas had 4.7 million foreign-born residents, about 17% of the population and 21.6% of the state workforce. The state's Bill of Rights is much larger than its federal counterpart, and has provisions unique to Texas. [315], Texas's affluence stimulates a strong commercial sector consisting of retail, wholesale, banking and insurance, and construction industries. [221] Texas is the second-most populous state in the United States after California and the only other U.S. state to surpass a total estimated population of 30 million people as of July 2, 2022. [citation needed], Coordinates: .mw-parser-output .geo-default,.mw-parser-output .geo-dms,.mw-parser-output .geo-dec{display:inline}.mw-parser-output .geo-nondefault,.mw-parser-output .geo-multi-punct{display:none}.mw-parser-output .longitude,.mw-parser-output .latitude{white-space:nowrap}31N 99W / 31N 99W / 31; -99 (State of Texas), This article is about the U.S. state. Got a Texas driver license or vehicle registration that needs to be renewed? The post New Small Animal Teaching and Research Hospital Receives Major Gift Pledge appeared first on Texas A&M Today. [424], Texas has a plural executive branch system limiting the power of the governor, which is a weak executive compared to some other states. One in six students are military connected. [124] Oil production eventually averaged three million barrels per day at its peak in 1972. The state created a comprehensive plan for higher education, funded in large part by oil revenues, and a central state apparatus designed to manage state institutions more efficiently. Code Ann. From the Dallas/Fort Worth area, trucks can reach 93 percent of the nation's population within 48 hours, and 37 percent within 24 hours. [433] As a result, the Democratic Party dominated Texas politics from the turn of the century, imposing racial segregation and white supremacy. [238] Based on U.S. Census Bureau data released in February 2011, for the first time in recent history, Texas's white population is below 50% (45%) and Hispanics grew to 38%. [285][286] Many petroleum companies are based in Texas such as: ConocoPhillips,[289] EOG Resources, ExxonMobil,[290] Halliburton,[291] Hilcorp, Marathon Oil,[292] Occidental Petroleum,[293] Pioneer Natural Resources, Tesoro,[294] Valero Energy,[295] and Western Refining. Weber, David J. [278], Texas leads the nation in the production of cattle, horses, sheep, goats, wool, mohair and hay. [448] Residents of counties along the Rio Grande closer to the MexicoUnited States border, where there are many Latino residents, generally vote for Democratic Party candidates, while most other rural and suburban areas of Texas have shifted to voting for Republican Party candidates.