According to NBC News, state Rep. James Talarico is drawing national attention, fundraising, and competitive polling against Republican Attorney General Ken Paxton in a potential 2026 Texas Senate race. Republicans still view the state's red lean as decisive, expecting Democratic enthusiasm to fade once votes are counted.
A Texas Senate flip would flip the map. One seat, a national fundraising magnet, and proof Democrats can compete outside their strongholds. But every cycle chasing Texas is a cycle not spending those resources in a state where Democrats are already competitive. The opportunity cost is real.
This script ran in 2018. Beto O'Rourke turned his race against Ted Cruz into a national obsession, raised record money, and lost anyway. Democrats now sound less euphoric even when the ingredients look similar. They're being careful with their language around Talarico.
Texas is the political equivalent of a growth stock that keeps missing earnings. The upside is obvious, but Democrats have to prove this race is about a changed electorate and a damaged Republican nominee, not another donor fantasy built on polls and cable hits. Talarico's job: make this a referendum on Paxton, not on himself. If he does, Democrats have a shot. Republicans will collect another expensive tuition payment from the same state if not.
Filed to the Politics desk · Aug 25