Wilson County vs. La Salle County
Peanuts & Brush Country
This match-up brings us to the peanut fields south of San Antonio and the deep brush country of the Rio Grande Plains. Wilson County, home to Floresville, is a rapidly growing community rich in agriculture and political history. La Salle County, centered on Cotulla, is wild country: famous for trophy deer hunting and as the place where LBJ taught school. One is becoming a suburban haven; the other remains a rugged frontier for hunters and oilmen.
Wilson County (Population Approx. 50,000)
Wilson County is the "Peanut Capital of Texas." Floresville and La Vernia serve as hubs for a county that is transitioning from pure agriculture to a commuter base for San Antonio. The area is steeped in history, being the birthplace of former Governor John Connally. Residents value the rural atmosphere and strong schools but face the pressures of subdivision development and traffic.
La Salle County (Population Approx. 6,600)
La Salle County is the heart of the "Golden Triangle" of Texas deer hunting. Cotulla sits in the middle of the mesquite brush, drawing hunters from around the world. The economy is driven by the Eagle Ford Shale and wildlife tourism. The community is resilient and historic, proud of its connection to Lyndon B. Johnson, who taught at the Welhausen School. Challenges include infrastructure maintenance from oilfield traffic and healthcare access.
Why It Matters
Wilson County is balancing heritage with the inevitable sprawl of a major city. La Salle County is managing the boom-and-bust cycles of energy and the steady flow of eco-tourism. Both counties need infrastructure investment to handle their specific types of traffic: commuters in Wilson, heavy haulers in La Salle.
Why Forward
Forward believes that the commuter in La Vernia and the game warden in Cotulla both deserve a government that works.
In Wilson County, the political identity is shifting. Open Primaries would allow the mix of new suburban families and multi-generational farmers to find common ground, electing leaders who prioritize schools and roads over partisan battles. Ranked Choice Voting would ensure that rapid growth is managed by consensus.
In La Salle County, the rural economy is king. Ranked Choice Voting empowers the community to support candidates who understand the nuances of the oil industry and wildlife conservation. It ensures that the brush country isn't forgotten in Austin.
Did You Know…
Floresville (Wilson) is the annual host of the Peanut Festival, celebrating the crop that sustained the county for decades.
Lyndon B. Johnson taught school in Cotulla (La Salle) in 1928, an experience that heavily influenced his War on Poverty.
La Salle County is legendary among hunters for producing some of the largest white-tailed deer in North America.
Wilson County was the birthplace of John Connally, who served as Texas Governor and U.S. Secretary of the Treasury.
The Welhausen School in Cotulla is now a historic landmark and museum.
Why Texans Love Living Here
Wilson residents love the small-town festivals, the proximity to the city without the noise, and the deep agricultural roots. La Salle locals love the thrill of the hunt, the rugged beauty of the brush at sunset, and the storied history of the South Texas borderlands.
Key Events That Bring Neighbors Together
Floresville Peanut Festival (Wilson): A massive October celebration with a parade, court coronation, and street dance.
La Salle County Fair & Wild Hog Cook-Off: A gritty, fun event celebrating the local culture and cuisine.
Stockdale Watermelon Jubilee (Wilson): One of the oldest watermelon festivals in Texas.
Cotulla/La Salle County Chamber Banquet: A gathering of community leaders and neighbors.
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:
