Brazos County vs. Culberson County
Aggieland to the Guadalupe Peaks
Few contrasts capture Texas possibility like college-town Brazos and frontier Culberson. In Brazos County’s Bryan–College Station, students and scientists power research that reaches far beyond campus. In Culberson County’s Van Horn and the Guadalupe Mountains, silence and sky remind Texans why open space still matters. Together they represent two engines of the same state. One of innovation, one of inspiration; proving that progress and preservation can thrive side by side.
Brazos County (Population Approx. 240,000)
Home to Texas A&M University, Brazos County blends research, healthcare, manufacturing, and a fast-growing small-business scene. Opportunity is rising along with rents and traffic; locals push for smart growth, safe streets, and housing that works for students and families alike. A&M traditions knit newcomers into the community as quickly as a “Howdy.”
Culberson County (Population Approx. 2,200)
Guadalupe Mountains National Park and Van Horn define a county where geology and grit rule. Tourism supports Main Street while ranching and service jobs keep the lights on. Broadband, healthcare distance, and water supply are ever-present challenges: yet neighbors gather for school events, Friday football, and trail talk after long hikes in the park.
Why It Matters
Texas needs both classrooms and canyons: places that launch ideas and places that restore perspective. Brazos and Culberson prove that different daily lives can share the same statewide future.
Why Forward
Forward believes Texas’s strength lies in empowering both research hubs and rural gateway communities.
In Brazos County, open primaries and Ranked Choice Voting would elevate leaders focused on mobility, housing, and research-to-industry pipelines; practical work that keeps Aggieland thriving without pricing people out.
In Culberson County, the same tools would preserve rural representation and give park staff, ranchers, and small-business owners a fair voice in policy. Ranked Choice Voting ensures consensus candidates win, not just the loudest ones.
Forward’s mission: to build a culture of trust, transparency, and teamwork; fits both counties. From labs to trailheads, Texans deserve systems that reward collaboration and respect every community’s voice.
Did You Know…
The George H. W. Bush Presidential Library & Museum sits on the A&M campus in College Station.
Guadalupe Peak (8,751 ft) is the highest point in Texas—right in Culberson County.
Why Texans Love Living Here
Brazos County residents love traditions that turn strangers into neighbors and research that turns ideas into jobs. In Culberson County, locals love big desert skies, trail talk after long days, and a pace that keeps people grounded.
Key Events That Bring Neighbors Together
First Friday in Downtown Bryan - Monthly live music, food, and art that bring Aggieland and longtime locals together.
Guadalupe Mountains National Park Ranger Programs - Guided walks and talks that connect visitors and residents to the park’s geology, wildlife, and history.
People & Tech Created This
The profiles and shared challenges were gathered from Texas Forward Party supporters and written using ChatGPT and Gemini models to combine verified public data, official county/state sources, and general knowledge from Texas historical and government records, including:
