From Robert Hubbell “Trump dealt a serious blow to the GOP hopes of holding the Senate by helping toxic Ken Paxton defeat incumbent John Cornyn in Texas. Cornyn’s defeat creates an opportunity for James Talarico to be the first Democrat to win a statewide office in Texas since 1994. To be clear, any Democrat running for statewide office in Texas must be viewed as the underdog, but the 2026 midterms present a unique combination of a historically weak president, a corrupt Republican candidate, and a generational talent in James Talarico.” (May 28) Cook Political has moved this seat from Likely R to Lean R.
James is an eighth-generation Texan, former middle school teacher, and Presbyterian seminarian. As a state representative, he’s led the fight against the billionaire mega-donors and puppet politicians who have taken over Texas.