Texas Interest Groups: Examining Influence and Underrepresentation

This report examines the role and influence of interest groups in Texas, focusing on the NAACP Texas, the Texas Rifle Association, and the Texas Equity PAC. It details the goals, strategies, and successes of the NAACP and the Texas Rifle Association in shaping legislation and policies, such as the open carr...Read More

Running head: INTEREST GROUPS
Texas Interest Groups
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INTEREST GROUPS
Introduction
While the framers of the U.S. Constitution never mentioned the term interest group
in it, they were much aware that individuals would come together to attempt to use
government in their favor. Interest groups means a formal association of lobbyists or
individuals with the main purpose of influencing decisions made by government and the
public policy making (Mansbridge, 2018). The U.S has seen many interest groups throughout
from small regional groups to large national interest groups. Texas State is not different.
Many interests groups operates and functions in the state of Texas. Their main aim is to get
legislations and policies effected in Texas that are in alignment with the groups vision
(McCaghy, Capron, Jamieson, & Carey, 2016).
NAACP Texas
Texas has seen some of the most influential interest groups which include; the Texas
state rifle association and the Texas NAACP. Others that have been underrepresented
include the Texas Equity PAC and Texans for Lawsuit reforms. NAACP which represents the
National Association of Advancement of Colored People is a Texas lobby focusing on
empowerment of people of color nationally. Texas NAACP strives for the empowerment and
advancement of interest of colored people. It has seen a lot of success through their
lobbying. It is one of the most influential not only in Texas but also in the country due to the
national interest it has and the massive resources it mobilizes. With massive resources,
NAACP can reach out and get help nationally to battle any dilemma the people of color are
facing in Texas. NAACP has had tremendous success both at the local stage (Texas) and in
the national stage.
Texas Rifle Association
The second interest group in focus is the Texas Rifle Association. It is the second
biggest and the most influential group in Texas. It was started in 1919 in Austin, Texas. Their
main aim is the support of 2nd amendment. This is the ability and constitutional right to own
arms which should be in the legislation. Their influence stems from the fact that they are the
only full time advocates of firearms in Texas. Among their major success have been their
open carry of firearms in campus implementation. This has allowed campus students to
carry firearms in their campuses in Texas State. The open carry legislation allowing the use
of firearms open carry took effect in Texas partly due to their lobbying (McDonald, 2017).
Equity PAC Texas
The third interest group in Texas is the Texas Equity PAC. This is an
underrepresented group in Texas that fights for the rights of the LGBT people in Texas. Their
goal is to ensure legislation and policies of pro-equality are effected through campaigns and
elections of candidates supporting pro-equality. The group was recently formed and has no
many supporters in legislation processes in Texas State (Petracca, 2018). . They have
however endorsed at least five officials in their pro equality campaigns. This has allowed
campus students to carry firearms in their campuses in Texas State. The open carry
legislation allowing the use of firearms open carry took effect in Texas partly due to their
lobbying (Zander, 2018).
Conclusion

INTEREST GROUPS
Texas has many interest groups. The two main interest groups in Texas include:
Texas Rifle Association and the NAACP that have ensured policies and legislations have been
passed to affect their interests positively. Others like Texas Equity PAC have been
underrepresented and lack mass support.

INTEREST GROUPS
References
Mansbridge, J. J. (2018). A deliberative theory of interest representation. In The politics of
interests (pp. 32-57). Routledge.
McCaghy, C. H., Capron, T. A., Jamieson, J. D., & Carey, S. H. H. (2016). Deviant behavior:
Crime, conflict, and interest groups. Routledge.
McDonald, F. (2017). We the people: the economic origins of the Constitution. Routledge.
Petracca, M. P. (2018). The politics of interests: Interest groups transformed. Routledge.
Zander, A. (2018). Motives and goals in groups. Routledge.
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