From Reconstruction until the late 1970s, the predominant political party in Texas was the Democratic Party. The Republican Party did not gain significant strength in Texas until the late 1970s and 1980s. During this time period, the Democratic Party held a firm grip on Texas politics, with the state sending mostly Democratic representatives and senators to the US Congress and electing mostly Democratic governors, state legislators, and other officials at the state and local level. However, since the 1980s, the state has become more competitive, with Republicans gaining increasing support and winning major political offices.