https://www.texastribune.org/about/staff/zahira-torres/The latest news by Zahira Torres.enTue, 27 Jul 2010 05:00:00 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2010/07/27/counties-get-clout-when-their-voters-turn-out/El Paso and Hidalgo are the largest Latino-majority and Democratic-leaning counties in the state, and they rank near the bottom when you compare the size of their voting age population to the actual number of people who show up at the polls. Collin and Fort Bend are growing suburban counties with larger Anglo populations that tend to lean Republican and produce some of the highest turnouts of eligible voters anywhere in Texas. Guess which pair gets the most attention and has the most clout?By Matt Stiles, The Texas Tribune, and Zahira Torres, El Paso TimesTue, 27 Jul 2010 05:00:00 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2010/07/27/counties-get-clout-when-their-voters-turn-out/Graphic by Todd Wiseman/Jacob Villanuevahttps://www.texastribune.org/2010/07/26/texas-still-waiting-for-latinos-to-vote/Nearly 37 percent of the state's population of nearly 25 million is Latino, but only about 1.2 million Latinos who were registered to vote in 2008 cast ballots. Pinpointing when the emerging majority group in Texas will begin wielding its power at election time is no small feat. Scores of campaigns, party activists and interest groups spend millions of dollars each year trying to determine what will happen when that day comes. By Matt Stiles, The Texas Tribune, and Zahira Torres, El Paso TimesMon, 26 Jul 2010 05:00:00 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2010/07/26/texas-still-waiting-for-latinos-to-vote/El Paso Timeshttps://www.texastribune.org/2010/07/25/can-a-democrat-win-the-texas-governors-race/Political observers, partisan faithful and a pair of campaigns have been consumed by one question for nearly eight months: How close is the race between Republican Rick Perry and Democrat Bill White? Members of both parties agree that White represents the Democrats' best shot at winning the governor's office in 15 years, despite the state's status as a Republican stronghold. But many believe that voting patterns show Texas is still years away from becoming truly competitive.By Matt Stiles, The Texas Tribune, and Zahira Torres, El Paso TimesSun, 25 Jul 2010 05:00:00 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2010/07/25/can-a-democrat-win-the-texas-governors-race/Bill White and Rick Perry have their sights set on the governor's officeBill White and Rick Perry have their sights set on the governor's officeGraphic by Todd Wiseman