Every election cycle, it appears that the left-leaning media and their intellectual allies predict the imminent political transformation of Texas from a red to a blue state.
This phenomenon, often referred to as "Blexas," has been a recurring theme in recent years.
A notable example of this was the 2018 Senate race between Ted Cruz and Beto O'Rourke. The media's fascination with O'Rourke was palpable, with frequent comparisons to the Kennedy family. O'Rourke himself perpetuated this narrative, as reported by Town and Country Magazine, which described him as "a Kennedyesque longshot in a roiling red state."
O'Rourke recounted an incident during a trip to Cambridge, MA, after his congressional victory in 2012. He said, "It dawns on me: They dont think Im Beto, they think Im Joe Kennedy, or at least some Kennedy." Upon revealing his true identity, O'Rourke noted the disappointment in their eyes, stating, "I could just see the thrill go out of their eyes.
Following the 2024 elections, the idea of "Blexas" seemed to lose steam, particularly after Vice President Kamala Harris received approximately 450,000 fewer votes in Texas than Joe Biden did in 2020. However, the concept of Blexas may be on the rise again, with Democrat Rep. Jasmine Crockett (TX-30) considering a Senate run in 2026.
According to RedState, Crockett is investing significantly in polling and has begun discussions with a potential campaign manager. She revealed to POLITICOs Dasha Burns that shes seriously weighing a bid to replace GOP Sen. John Cornyn and is commissioning polling to assess her chances against a potentially crowded primary field.
I am seriously weighing it, to the extent that Im about to spend a lot of money to get data, she said.
Crockett's decision is partly influenced by the redrawing of her district and data suggesting she could win the primary race. She stated, "The other option is every other day there's a poll that comes out that makes it clear that I can win the primary for the U.S. Senate race in Texas."
In case she decides against running or fails in the primary, Crockett has expressed interest in challenging Sen. Ted Cruz (R-TX) in 2030. She has been known for her aggressive language against Republicans, even suggesting that Cruz should "be knocked over the head, like, hard."
Despite the historical dominance of Republicans in Texas, it is crucial not to become complacent. The strategy should be to approach every campaign as if trailing by 20 points, even when leading by the same margin. This includes Texas, where Cruz has warned Republicans not to take the state for granted, given the significant investments Democrats have made in past election cycles.
However, it is likely that Cruz and the eventual Republican nominee for the 2026 GOP Senate primary would welcome Crockett's entry into the race. Not only would it create an entertaining primary scenario, but it would also allow them to portray her as the face of Texas Democrats and national Democrats, much like Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (NY-14) and NYC Democrat mayoral nominee Zohran Mamdani have been depicted.
This could potentially strengthen the Republican position and further solidify Texas as a red state.
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