1. JUMPSTART Complete the “One Big Party?” handout you received walking in. Double check your notebooks and make sure you have all of the items in PURPLE from the chart!

2. Political Parties Political parties are groups of people who share similar beliefs about how the government should be run and how the issues facing our country should be solved. The U.S. operates under a 2-party system: Republican and Democrat. Political parties are powerful organizations that fight to get the government to act in ways the political party believes is best.

3. History in Texas Since 1845, the two parties we know today, have experienced major transformations. Republican Party did not exist until just before the Civil War. Texas was a primarily democratic through out the Civil War. Today, Texas is often primarily a Republican supporter. Many third parties have begun in Texas but have not gained enough support to make a difference.

4. Who Can Be Governor?

5. INSTRUCTIONS In your group, choose one person to be the scribe, the reader, the timer, and the leader. If you have more than 4, choose more readers and leaders. SCRIBE – writes for the group READER – reads the information to group TIMER – watches clock and keep group on task LEADER – presents information for group

6. INSTRUCTIONS cont. The scribe should take a half sheet of paper and number it 1-5. Each timed rotation, the group gets a set of cards. The reader will read these out loud. The entire group will discuss each card and decide which identity on the card would make the BEST governor. The scribe will then record the number on the group’s ballot sheet.

7. Qualifications for Governor of Texas A United States citizen A Texas resident for at least 5 years. Must be 30 years old

8. Set 1 Card 1Set 1 Card 2 Rick Perry First Lady Laura Bush

9. Set 1 Card 3Set 1 Card 4 Barbara Jordan Don Henley

10. Set 2 Card 1Set 2 Card 2 Sul Ross George W. Bush

11. Set 2 Card 3Set 2 Card 4 Ann Richards James “Pa” Ferguson

12. Set 3 Card 1Set 3 Card 2 George Strait Miriam “Ma” Ferguson

13. Set 3 Card 3Set 3 Card 4 Judge Roy Bean Tommy Lee Jones

14. Set 4 Card 1Set 4 Card 2 Troy Aikman James A Hogg

15. Set 4 Card 3Set 4 Card 4 John Connally, Jr Jane Long

16. Set 5 Card 1Set 5 Card 2 John Cornyn John Wesley Hardin

17. Set 5 Card 3Set 5 Card 4 Janis Joplin Stephen F. Austin

18. Texas Leaders…Past and Present Former President – Lyndon B. Johnson, George H. Bush, and George W. Bush Governor Perry is the longest serving governor in the U.S. Vice Presidents – John Nance Gardner, LBJ, and George H. Bush