Texas Could Turn Blue: Democrat James Talarico Challenges Ken Paxton in Key Senate Race

In brief

• Democrat James Talarico is challenging Republican Ken Paxton for a Texas US Senate seat in the November 3 midterms.
• A Talarico win would end a Democratic losing streak in Texas that has lasted about 30 years.
• The result could affect which party controls the Senate.

A Race in a Long-Time Republican Stronghold

Texas has been a Republican bastion in national politics. No Democrat has won a statewide race of national significance there in more than thirty years, the longest such stretch in the country (‚V Texasu tančíme polku.‘ Kandidát demokratů Talarico mluvil o Češích víc než o Trumpovi – iROZHLAS). That streak may end after Tuesday's vote. Democratic nominee James Talarico is running against Republican Ken Paxton, the state's longtime attorney general, for a seat in the US Senate (US Midterms: Texas Democrat Talarico holds last rally ahead of vote – France 24) (US midterms: Talarico seeks to break Democrats' 30-year losing streak in Texas – France 24).

Polls and the Final Stretch

On Monday he held a final rally before the vote, urging supporters to use the remaining 24 hours to turn out for him (Midterm, il candidato dem Talarico: “Abbiamo 24 ore per dare tutto e vincere” – ANSA). Talarico has pointed to Paxton's legal problems in his closing message (Could Texas turn blue? Democrat James Talarico takes on Republican establishment – France 24).

Why the Seat Matters

The result could determine whether Democrats win a Senate majority. To get there, they need to flip seats in Republican strongholds, and Texas is one of the most closely watched (Midterms USA: James Talarico führt in Texas und lässt Republikaner zittern – DER SPIEGEL). A Talarico victory would mark the first time since 1988 that a Texas Senate seat went to a Democrat.

Appeal Beyond the Party Base

A former schoolteacher and Presbyterian seminarian, Talarico speaks openly about his Christian faith. His campaign has drawn some voters who backed Donald Trump in past elections, according to reporting from the race (US midterms: Could Senate candidate James Talarico turn Texas blue? – France 24). Some analysts see that crossover as the main reason the race looks competitive.