As the United States faces increasing political and cultural divisions, along with concerns about national insolvency, Texas is considering a bold move. In March 2024, Texans may encounter a non-binding proposition on their GOP primary ballot concerning Texas reaffirming its control over its own affairs.  This development comes from the Texas Nationalist Movement (TNM), which recently announced its successful campaign to gather the necessary signatures for this proposition.

The proposition in question, which is expected to be confirmed by the State Republican Executive Committee (SREC) this weekend, asks, “Should the State of Texas reassert its status as an independent nation?” TNM has reportedly collected over 102,000 signatures, surpassing the Texas Election Code requirement of 97,709 signatures to place a proposition on the ballot.

 

 

 

TNM President Daniel Miller emphasized the significance of this move in a letter to the SREC: “We could actually bypass the SREC’s ballot proposition process and compel the party to place the question on the ballot,” he wrote, clarifying that this inclusion does not necessarily mean the Texas GOP endorses secession. “Ballot propositions serve as a means of pursuing clarity as to the greatest concerns of Republican voters,” Miller added.

The journey towards a TEXIT vote has been ongoing for several years within the Texas GOP. In 2015 and 2016, attempts to include some form of a referendum in the party platform were made but ultimately did not succeed. However, the current Texas GOP platform contains two relevant planks: Plank 33 on state sovereignty, including the right to secede, and Plank 225, advocating for a referendum on Texas independence.

Miller, in his appeal to the SREC, stressed the importance of these planks: “Whether you are for, against, or undecided on TEXIT, we should all be able to agree that the platform matters, the Texas Bill of Rights matters, and the Republican voters matter.”

The GOP primary ballot proposition, though without legal power, is poised to intensify the debate both within Texas and nationally. Other states with secessionist movements are watching Texas closely, viewing it as a potential trailblazer for their causes.

The Red-State Secession Substack newsletter offered an analysis on the implications of a potential Texas secession:

“If Texas eventually withdraws from the Union, other red states will suddenly realize they need to follow. If Texas announces a future independence date, red states will have a choice to make: stay in a Union dominated by blue states, or follow Texas’ lead.”

Texas, with its history as an independent country from 1836 to 1845, and its significant economic strengths (The Texas economy is officially the 8th largest economy in the world, valued at more than $2.4 trillion. (IMF GDP 2022), including being the largest oil producer in the U.S., is viewed as having a unique potential for independence. The state’s economic prowess, including its deep-water ports, agriculture, and status as a high-tech hub, adds weight to the ongoing debate over its future.

 

To their credit, the Texas Nationalist Movement (TNM) has undertaken a meticulous effort to outline and educate on the intricate details of the potential TEXIT process on their website:  https://texitnow.org/  With a measured and academic approach that seems to be lacking in modern day political thought and discussion, their site diligently works towards educating the public on the nuanced aspects of the plan with topics ranging from defense and security to the logistics of travel, the presence of U.S. military bases within Texas borders, public lands, considerations regarding social security, and the implications for international relations just to name a few.

 

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