Final answer:
The increasing Hispanic voter population is a demographic trend that might benefit Democrats in Texas due to a rise in their registration and participation, which could potentially turn Texas blue.
Step-by-step explanation:
The demographic trend in Texas that strategists often say may benefit Democrats is the increase in the Hispanic voter population. From 1986 to 2011, Hispanic voters grew from 8 percent to 20 percent of registered voters. This growth, alongside efforts by organizations like the Mexican American Legal Defense and Education Fund (MALDEF), has challenged at-large electoral schemes and gerrymandering that previously diluted the Hispanic vote. More recently, demographic shifts indicate a significant trend where younger voters, women, and racial minorities, which include a significant portion of Hispanic populations, are increasingly voting for the Democratic Party. Moreover, political activities and legal challenges have raised the transaction costs for imposing new voting restrictions, which often target minority and Democratic-leaning constituencies. These efforts are seen as partly responsible for increasing voter registration and participation among demographics that are more likely to vote Democratic. Figure 6.5.1, illustrating Beto O'Rourke's run as a Democratic candidate, and the details about the transformation of Travis County, Texas, into more Republican districts, further underscore the shifting political landscape.