TX-SEN: Texas Democrats see an opening as Paxton surges. But first they need a candidate.

[RandySF]

Texas Republicans’ messy Senate primary is giving Democrats hope that they could finally have an opening to wedge into higher office in the red state — for real this time.

But a potential pileup of candidates as the party sees renewed interest in the race could spoil their chances of finally flipping the Lone Star State.

Attorney General Ken Paxton, who endured multiple scandals while in office, is leading in the polls against longtime incumbent GOP Sen. John Cornyn. A Paxton victory could divide Republicans and potentially even sway some to support a Democrat. Nearly two dozen Texas Democratic members of Congress, party leaders and strategists described a sense of opportunity, but were divided on the type of candidate to run.

Some argued for a progressive, others thought a more centrist candidate could gain traction, while others weren’t even sure Democrats could pull off a win. There are calls both for new blood and for a proven candidate. Rep. Marc Veasey (D-Texas) just wants a candidate who’d “sound like a Texas Democrat” and could buck national trends..



https://www.politico.com/news/2025/06/08/texas-senate-dems-paxton-cornyn-00393332

[Torchlight]

1. My fortune telling is for crap.

I laughed and laughed and laughed when Paxton announced his candidacy. But it turns out in the modern American political landscape, degeneracy and law-breaking are strengths, and Austin's just another toy for these jokers to break.

[LetMyPeopleVote]

2. Flip: Dems bombard Republican heartland with new multi-million dollar blitz

This makes me smile

Democrats are launching an effort "to turn Texas into a political battleground," according to the Wall Street Journal.

— Raw Story (@rawstory.com) 2025-06-09T12:00:19Z

https://www.rawstory.com/texas-blue-2672333970/

Democrats are launching an effort “to turn Texas into a political battleground,” according to the Wall Street Journal.

Launching Monday, the “Blue Texas” initiative is attempting to turn the notoriously red state into a battleground region.

The Texas Majority PAC is “aiming to organize tens of thousands of volunteers, recruit candidates, and boost turnout ahead of the 2026 midterm elections,” the Journal said.

The report also noted the PAC is receiving millions of dollars from megadonor George Soros.

The state was a democratic stronghold until the 1980s. Republicans have won the Lone Star State in every presidential election since then. Last year, President Donald Trump beat out former Vice President Kamala Harris by 14 points.

The last Democratic senator to win the State was Lloyd Benstein. He served the state from 1971 until 1993 and left the Senate after President Bill Clinton appointed him to be Treasury Secretary.

The outlet also added that Democrats “haven’t won a statewide election since 1994.”

“If a win is on the table in 2026, we don’t want to leave it there by not being organized,” Katherine Fischer, the deputy executive director of Texas Majority PAC, told the outlet.

The Journal said the long-term goal of “Blue Texas is to make Texas a battleground state by 2032.

“There is no choice for Texas or for anyone else in the country who wants to see a Democrat in the White House after 2032 but to find a pathway through Texas,” Fischer said.

[tritsofme]

3. Hope they steer clear of Beto.

[msongs]

4. beto is 0 for 2, is he available?