Hidalgo County vs. Motley County
Border Energy & Big Sky Spirit
This pairing brings together two corners of Texas that couldn’t feel farther apart geographically, yet share the same determination to protect community and opportunity. Hidalgo County, anchored by McAllen and Edinburg in the Rio Grande Valley, is one of the fastest-growing and youngest regions in the United States. Motley County, with about 1,000 residents, lies in the rolling plains of Northwest Texas, where ranching, faith, and family are central to daily life. Hidalgo is defined by innovation, cross-border trade, and cultural vibrancy; Motley by open land and quiet endurance. Together they show how every Texan, whether near the border or beneath the big sky, shares the same drive to move forward.
Hidalgo County (Approx. 900,000)
Hidalgo County thrives on education, healthcare, agriculture, and international trade. The county’s challenges: infrastructure, flood control, and equitable access to opportunity; mirror its rapid growth and regional importance along the border.
Motley County (Approx. 1,000)
Motley County’s economy centers on ranching, wind energy, and small-scale agriculture. Its biggest challenges include limited broadband, aging infrastructure, and attracting new families to sustain schools and local businesses.
Why It Matters
In Hidalgo, debates focus on border infrastructure, fair immigration policy, and sustainable growth. In Motley, debates center on rural revitalization, education, and economic resilience. Both counties ask the same question: how can local communities chart their own path when distant politics overshadow local priorities?
Why Forward
Forward believes progress starts when Texans are empowered to solve problems closest to home.
In Hidalgo County, reforms like open primaries and Ranked Choice Voting would ensure that candidates represent the full diversity of the Rio Grande Valley: not just one party’s base. Fair maps would give every neighborhood a voice on critical issues like infrastructure and economic development.
In Motley County, those same reforms would amplify rural voices often drowned out in statewide elections. Ranked Choice Voting would let ranchers, teachers, and community leaders run without fear of “spoiler” labels, while open primaries would allow more choice and competition.
Forward’s approach: collaboration, fairness, and innovation; transcends geography. From the border’s bustling trade corridors to Motley’s wide-open plains, Texans deserve representation that values cooperation over conflict.
Did You Know…
Hidalgo County hosts the Texas Citrus Fiesta in Mission: a celebration of the region’s agricultural heritage dating back to 1932.
Motley County’s courthouse in Matador is one of the few in Texas still using its original 1891 jail structure.
Why Texans Love Living Here
Hidalgo County residents love the Valley’s warmth, culture, and family ties: where neighbors still check on one another and community runs deep. Motley County residents love open roads, star-filled skies, and the peace that comes from living close to the land. Both embody the Texas promise of hard work, humility, and heart.
Key Events That Bring Neighbors Together
Hidalgo BorderFest is South Texas’ biggest celebration of culture and community — live music, food, and Texas pride at the border.
Motley County Matador Ranch Days Rodeo: a small-town weekend of rodeo, live music, and community gatherings that draw families from across the Panhandle.
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, but not limited to:
