Calhoun County vs. Lee County
Bay & BBQ
This match-up pairs the industrial coast with the BBQ belt. Calhoun County, home to Port Lavaca, is a hub of manufacturing, fishing, and beaches. Lee County, home to Giddings and Lexington, is famous for its Wendish heritage and world-class barbecue. One is defined by the bay and the plant; the other by the pit and the pasture.
Calhoun County (Population Approx. 20,000)
Calhoun County is where industry meets the Gulf. Port Lavaca and Point Comfort host massive chemical and manufacturing plants, while also serving as a destination for anglers and beachgoers (Magnolia Beach). The vibe is blue-collar, coastal, and resilient. Challenges include hurricane preparedness and balancing industry with environmental health.
Lee County (Population Approx. 17,500)
Lee County is a cultural melting pot. Giddings and Serbin are the center of Wendish heritage in Texas (a Slavic group from Germany). The county is also a BBQ destination, with legendary spots like City Meat Market and Snow's BBQ (in nearby Lexington). The economy is agricultural and commuter-driven. Challenges include managing growth from the Austin/College Station corridor.
Why It Matters
Calhoun County drives the export economy. Lee County preserves a unique cultural heritage found nowhere else. Both counties are vital to the Texas identity-one for what it makes, the other for what it cooks.
Why Forward
Forward believes that the plant operator in Point Comfort and the pitmaster in Lexington both fuel our state.
In Calhoun County, the industrial workforce is key. Open Primaries would allow the diverse community to elect leaders who prioritize safety, jobs, and coastal protection, rather than partisan rhetoric. Ranked Choice Voting would help the coastal towns work together.
In Lee County, culture is the asset. Ranked Choice Voting empowers the community to support candidates who prioritize heritage tourism and small business support. It ensures that the Wendish history and BBQ legends are protected.
Did You Know…
Snow's BBQ in Lexington (Lee) has been voted the #1 BBQ in Texas multiple times by Texas Monthly.
Magnolia Beach (Calhoun) is one of the only beaches in Texas where you can drive and camp right at the water's edge on shell, not sand.
Serbin (Lee) is home to the Texas Wendish Heritage Museum, preserving the history of this unique immigrant group.
Port Lavaca (Calhoun) has a long history as a port city and survived the destruction of Indianola by hurricanes in the 1800s.
Lee County is known for its peanut and cattle production.
Why Texans Love Living Here
Calhoun residents love the fishing off the lighted piers, the beach camping, and the strong jobs. Lee locals love the Saturday morning BBQ lines, the Wendish noodles, and the rolling hills.
Key Events That Bring Neighbors Together
Wendish Fest (Serbin/Lee): A celebration of the culture with food and music.
Hardhead Derby (Port Lavaca/Calhoun): A fishing tournament for kids.
Snow's BBQ Saturday (Lexington): A weekly pilgrimage for foodies.
Calhoun County Fair: Celebrating the coast and the farm.
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:
