Tom Green County vs. Shackelford County
Concho River City & Historic Ranch Country
Tom Green County and Shackelford County reflect two chapters of Texas history; one, a growing West Texas city built around the Concho River, and the other, a historic ranching county where the frontier never feels far away. Tom Green County, with San Angelo as its anchor, blends arts, water resources, military presence, and regional commerce. Shackelford County, centered on Albany, preserves frontier architecture, cultural events, and the traditions of ranching life. Both counties show that Texas communities thrive when heritage and progress work hand-in-hand.
Tom Green County (Population Approx. 120,000)
San Angelo offers a blend of West Texas culture, arts, military influence from Goodfellow AFB, and a strong healthcare and education presence. The Concho River downtown improvements, local museums, and outdoor recreation keep the community active. Challenges include water planning, economic diversification, and infrastructure upgrades.
Shackelford County (Population Approx. 3,300)
Albany is known for its historic courthouse, frontier architecture, and the annual Fort Griffin Fandangle: one of the oldest outdoor musicals in the state. Ranching remains central to the county’s identity. Challenges include maintaining rural schools, supporting small businesses, and ensuring access to healthcare and services.
Why It Matters
These two counties remind us that both growing regional centers and rural ranch counties are essential threads in the fabric of Texas, each supporting the other economically and culturally. Understanding their stories together shows why Texas needs representation that sees beyond metro–rural divides and focuses on the shared future linking communities both large and small.
Why Forward
Forward’s approach works for counties both big and small.
In Tom Green County, open primaries and Ranked Choice Voting promote leaders focused on water management, infrastructure, support for military families, and balanced development rather than partisan battles.
In Shackelford County, those same reforms protect rural voices and empower ranchers, teachers, and small-business owners — ensuring elections reflect local priorities instead of statewide polarization.
Forward’s mission: trust, transparency, teamwork; fits from downtown San Angelo to the limestone bluffs of Albany.
Did You Know…
San Angelo is known as the official Visual Arts Capital of Texas.
The Fort Griffin Fandangle is the state’s oldest continuously running outdoor musical.
Why Texans Love Living Here
Tom Green residents love the blend of arts, military culture, and West Texas friendliness. Shackelford residents love the history, the ranchland sunsets, and the sense of belonging that comes from generations of community ties.
Key Events That Bring Neighbors Together
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:
