Anatomy of an Upset - by James H Broussard (Paperback)

Book Synopsis

In 1961, Texas shocked the nation. A state that had long dismissed Republicans as political afterthoughts suddenly sent one to the U.S. Senate--and nothing in Texas politics would ever be the same.

For nearly a century after the Civil War, Texas politics was a one-party show--Democrats ruled, and Republicans barely registered on the ballot. But by the early 1960s, social and economic change was reshaping the Lone Star State. The booming middle class, rapid industrial growth, shifting racial dynamics, and a decline in rural influence were all stirring beneath the surface. Then came a political moment that would tip the balance: the 1961 special election to replace Lyndon B. Johnson after he became vice president.

In Anatomy of an Upset, political historian Jim Broussard takes readers deep inside this pivotal contest and the forces that propelled Republican John Tower to an improbable victory. With sharp analysis and wry humor, Broussard dissects the six candidates' personalities, campaign strategies, and missteps--down to a precinct-by-precinct breakdown of the vote. Along the way, he reveals how national issues like civil rights, economic policy, and ideological divisions intertwined with local concerns to push many Texans toward the GOP.

This is more than the story of one election--it's the blueprint for how Texas evolved into a Republican stronghold. By weaving together political strategy, social transformation, and the shifting loyalties of voters, Anatomy of an Upset offers a vivid portrait of a state--and a nation--on the cusp of change.