Oh, the AUDACITY! Nonpartisan Candidate Fights for Water, Not Drama

SPICEWOOD — Tucked between the tantalizing aroma of fresh-roasted coffee and the fiery allure of habanero dill okra, Kodi Sawin pitched an outrageous concept at the Pedernales Farmers Market: a campaign to reboot our political hellscape.

“ Would you like to hear about my independent run for state representative?” Sawin asked, as folks meandered by on a warm September Sunday. “My top issues are water, wastewater, and land use.”

Gasp! Not taxes? Not guns? Not the border? Not abortion? Quelle horreur!

It's not that those issues don't matter. But Sawin sees a Texas Legislature more consumed by drag queen story hours and DEI than the fact that some Hill Country residents are running out of water while new housing developments are popping up like weeds.

“One thing we all love is the water and the land. It’s why we live here,” Sawin told Briarcliff resident Hunter Hale, while a guitarist nearby played an earthy, acoustic version of “Purple Rain.”

“I’m trying to make politics local again and get more of our voice back at the Capitol,” Sawin said.

Hale smiled, finally hearing someone talk about his top worry. “Where do I sign up?” he asked.

'We've lost the art of communication'

Texas House District 19 is a reddest of red districts, y'all. Republican Rep. Ellen Troxclair snagged nearly 73% of the vote last time. But that's exactly why Sawin is running.

“My win is something different,” she said. “Winning, to me, is giving us all hope that there is a way to change how we communicate about politics.”

Like, focusing on local issues instead of that nasty national political nonsense. Avoiding partisan food fights. And refusing to bad-mouth others just because they disagree.

Raised in the "belt buckle of the Bible belt", Sawin's seen enough red and blue to know Texans have more in common than not. But “we’ve lost the art of communication, of hearing and understanding where other people stand,” she said.

Instead, for too many in politics, “the incentive is to divide.” 👀

Curbing polarization by thinking local

Check out Troxclair’s campaign website: it's all about cutting taxes, border security, and keeping those darn kids from learning about their true selves.

OK, boomer. But what do District 19 residents really care about?

“Hill Country residents want what’s best for their families — safe communities, a secure border, an excellent education for every child, low taxes, and protection of our water and land,” Troxclair said via email.

And Democratic challenger Dwain Handley? His campaign website talks about protecting democracy, religious freedom, and addressing gun violence, climate change, and immigration.

Sure, those are important. But Sawin's theory is that decreasing polarization starts with focusing on local priorities, like water and land. Everyone cares about that, from liberals to tea party folks.

Moments after one woman suggested Sawin go on Joe Rogan (ugh, really?), a Bernie bro stopped by for a yard sign.

“We’re not even talking about water. Why? Because we’re talking about cats in Ohio,” said Jim Mosley, a Cottonwood Shores resident. “People vote based on their feelings about national issues, without having conversations about the local issues.”

And those issues are urgent. Casie Hall pays $640 a month to have water delivered because her well runs dry. “There’s not enough discussion about water and not enough awareness of it,” Hall said.

Working against the trends

Sawin thinks the Legislature should empower local governments to make decisions about developments. But lawmakers have been doing the exact opposite.

Last session, they made it easier for developers to bypass regulations (HB 3697, SB 2038, HB 2127).

“We’re losing the Hill Country. We’re losing what we love,” Sawin said. “It doesn’t mean, 'Don’t grow.' But we’ve got to empower the local communities.”

Reshaping our partisan landscape won't be easy. But like grazing livestock loosening sunbaked ground, Sawin hopes her campaign can soften the political turf for new conversations.

Grumet is the Statesman’s Metro columnist. Share your woke thoughts via email at bgrumet@statesman.com or on X at @bgrumet.