Texas Senate race: Democrat Talarico wins; GOP’s Cornyn, Paxton in run-off | Elections News
Texas Senate Race Tightens Ahead of May Runoff
AUSTIN, Texas—James Talarico secured a victory against Congresswoman Jasmine Crockett in a contentious Democratic primary for the U.S. Senate in Texas. Talarico’s win has set the stage for a May runoff between the Republican candidates, incumbent Senator John Cornyn and attorney general Ken Paxton, who are vying for the party’s nomination.
Talarico, celebrating with supporters, emphasized the broader implications of his campaign: “We are not just trying to win an election. We are trying to fundamentally change our politics. And it’s working.” He expressed optimism about the potential for change in Texas politics, stating that the state offers “a little bit of hope” to the nation.
Crockett’s campaign indicated plans to challenge voting practices in Dallas, alleging disenfranchisement of voters. She briefly addressed supporters, highlighting concerns over voting integrity.
In the Republican primary, Cornyn is pursuing a fifth term but faces a significant challenge from Paxton. Cornyn aims to avoid becoming the first Republican senator in Texas history to seek re-election without securing his party’s nomination. The three-way race, which also included Representative Wesley Hunt, resulted in no candidate achieving the required 50 percent of the vote to win outright, prompting the upcoming runoff.
Both Cornyn and Paxton have aligned their campaigns with former President Donald Trump, though the former president has not yet endorsed any candidate in this race. Cornyn did not hold an election night event, indicating the seriousness of his challenge. He criticized a potential run-off win for Paxton as detrimental to the Republican Party, stating, “I refuse to allow a flawed, self-centered and shameless candidate like Ken Paxton to risk everything we’ve worked so hard to build over these many years.”
Conversely, Paxton relished the competitive nature of his campaign, asserting that “Texas is not for sale” and likening his campaign’s energy to a recent visit to Trump’s Mar-a-Lago estate.
As Texas joins North Carolina and Arkansas in early midterm elections, the outcome of the Senate race could significantly influence control of Congress amid ongoing geopolitical tensions, including the recent U.S.-Israeli conflict with Iran.
