Texas Democrats are racing to capitalize on Attorney General Ken Paxtons upset victory over Senator John Cornyn, betting that a hardline conservative nominee will give them their best opening in years to flip a statewide seat.
According to The Post Millennial, Democrat James Talarico, a state representative now running for the US Senate, hauled in an eye-catching $600,000 within just two hours of Paxtons primary runoff win. Internal polling circulated by a pro-Talarico PAC and shared with Politico claimed the Democrat holds a 7-point edge over Paxton, with 14 percent of voters still undecided, a snapshot that Democrats are touting as evidence of Paxtons perceived vulnerability.
Talarico, however, appears to recognize that no Democrat can prevail in Texas without peeling off a meaningful share of Republican voters who had backed Cornyn, a traditional conservative with deep establishment ties. Speaking to Politico, he said his path to victory depends on persuading those disaffected Cornyn supporters to cross party lines in November.
In a carefully calibrated message following Cornyns concession, Talarico publicly thanked the long-serving GOP senator and extended an invitation to his base. He told Cornyns supporters that "you have a place in our campaign," a line clearly designed to reassure moderates and independents uneasy with Paxtons combative brand of politics.
Talarico has tried to draw a sharp contrast between his own record and Paxtons legal troubles, leaning heavily on his legislative rsum to project competence and stability. "I have a legislative record that I think has a lot to offer supporters of Senator Cornyn. Ken Paxton has a criminal record. I have a legislative record," Talarico told Politico, underscoring the ethics cloud that has long dogged the attorney general.
He has also highlighted his work in the Texas House of Representatives to frame himself as a pragmatic dealmaker rather than a partisan ideologue. Talarico stressed his history of reaching across the aisle "to cut property taxes and raise teacher pay and lower the cost of housing and child care and prescription drugs," and claimed he would be willing to break with Democrats on issues that are important to Texas, a notable posture in a party increasingly dominated by its progressive wing.
Attempting to inoculate himself against the charge of being just another national Democrat out of step with Texas values, Talarico has publicly criticized his own partys leadership on key issues. "Ive called out the extremes in both parties, on the right and left, and as you know, called out President Biden for failing to secure our southern border," he said, adding that he has "pushed back against national Democrats who want to hurt the Texas oil and gas industry" and casting himself as "a senator who is going to be independent, whos not going to serve a political party, not going to serve any special interests or megadonors, but whos going to serve people of Texas."
Paxton, by contrast, enters the general election with the full backing of President Donald Trump and the conservative grassroots that dominate Texas Republican primaries. In the weeks before the runoff, Trump endorsed Paxton in unmistakable terms, writing that "Ken is a true MAGA Warrior who has ALWAYS delivered for Texas, and will continue to do so in the United States Senate."
After Paxtons decisive win, Trump praised both men while making clear where the movements energy now lies. He wrote, "Congratulations to Ken Paxton on such a tremendous win, and to John Cornyn for having run a strong and powerful race but, more importantly, having had a truly great career. John will remain my friend for a long time to come, as we both watch Ken become a fantastic, common sense Senator, one who is respected by all."
Trump also unleashed a blistering attack on Talarico, signaling the kind of culture-war clash Republicans are eager to wage in November. He continued regarding Talarico, "His opponent, Alfred E. Neuman, may be the worst TEXAS candidate I have ever seen. A strong Open Borders advocate, he is WEAK ON CRIME, believes there are 6 genders, is insulting to Jesus Christ, will never support the Military, was a big Mask Wearer until recently, and is a Vegan who dislikes meat, not exactly a good way to be if youre wanting to win an Election in Texas."
The president went further, mocking Democrats broader bench and their alignment with progressive identity politics and environmental orthodoxy that remain deeply unpopular in much of Texas. "Jasmine Crockett, a very low IQ individual, who is no relation to the legendary frontiersman, Davy Crockett, would have been a far better choice for the Dumocrats. I will do some nice, big, beautiful rallies for Ken," Trump vowed, promising to put his political capital on the line to keep the Senate seat in Republican hands and framing the race as a stark choice between a Trump-aligned conservative and a Democrat straining to distance himself from his own partys national agenda.
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