'There is something going on': Texas Republicans alerted to alarming voting numbers

[sheshe2]

'There is something going on': Texas Republicans alerted to alarming voting numbers

— #TuckFrump (@realtuckfrumper.bsky.social) 2026-03-07T16:12:08.000Z

With Texas Republicans facing the prospect of a bruising battle between Sen. John Cornyn and Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton for the nomination for the seat Cornyn now holds, longtime political advisor Mark McKinnon said the GOP in Texas may have a bigger problem.

Appearing on MS NOW’s “The Weekend,” McKinnon noted that he has been historically skeptical about enthusiasm for rising political stars, but Democratic nominee James Talarico seems to have tapped into something and voter turnout this past week should make the GOP leadership sit up and notice.

McKinnon, who has worked for Republicans including ex-President George W. Bush and the late Senator John McCain (R-AZ) told host Jonathan Capehart, “They're really freaked out about James Talarico. This guy is a once-in-a-generation talent. He's got a message and a style that really appeals to not only Democrats, but independents and soft Republicans, and obviously, particularly if the runoff, if the Republicans nominate Ken Paxton, who's very unpopular, has tons of ethics problem, there's a real shot here.“

“I’m the guy that usually taps the brakes every few years when people come to me and say, ‘Oh, Texas turning, turning blue, turning blue And I'm saying, ‘Now wait a minute, wait a minute. You know, just because there's more Hispanics doesn't mean they're voting Democratic,” he conceded.

More: https://www.rawstory.com/texas-gop-war/

...........................

Come on Texas!

[leftstreet]

1. LOL

Spending decade after decade with all out efforts to suppress the vote...

Hey hey, wait now, something's going on here!

[peggysue2]

2. Hummmm

Who does this remind you of?

They're really freaked out about James Talarico. This guy is a once-in-a-generation talent. He's got a message and a style that really appeals to not only Democrats, but independents and soft Republicans . . .

Those words from Republican corners were one reserved for . . . Barack Obama, the once in a generation talent, who cleaned their clocks.

Are Republicans nervous?

Yup.

[Arazi]

3. Not getting my hopium up

Beto’s campaign destroyed every last bit of that for me with Texas

[fujiyamasan]

14. Sadly Beto was the high point in recent years

Beto lost by around 2 points, which is the best performance by a democrat in a statewide race in Texas in some thirty years.

Talarico probably is the closest to having an outside shot of this thing. Closest since Beto at least. But even Beto lost by over 200,000 votes. It’s a big state.

I still think there are more winnable races in November, so as talented as he is, I hope democrats nationwide don’t make the same mistake as they did with McConnell or Lindsey Graham’s opponents in 2020 and give money to other races too. I feel like two or three senate races sucked up all the money in that cycle.

They were tough races — the opponents were polling well, but in the end these are very red states. So much money was spent just to lose them by double digit margins.

[Ol Janx Spirit]

4. It says a lot about today's politics and citizens in red states that Democrats must...

...put up "a once-in-a-generation talent" to beat a dime-a-dozen scumbag these days.



Of course, to even qualify as "a once-in-a-generation talent" in Texas requires being white...and male.

And once you do qualify you must prove you are more virtuous than the Messiah himself just to have a "chance" at defeating a scandal-plagued corrupt fraudster like Ken Paxton.
https://thebarbedwire.com/2026/02/17/ken-paxton-scandal-timeline/

At some point we need to start talking about the territorial cession of Texas.

It's not us Texas...it's you.

[k55f5r]

5. At some point we need to start talking about the territorial cession of Texas.

Let's give the whole state back to Mexico.

[Ol Janx Spirit]

6. If they'd take it.... But it really feels more like a Russian property doesn't it? NT

[hamsterjill]

9. Hey, thanks a lot.

And what would you advise all of us who are lifelong Texans and lifelong Democrats to do? Not all of us can pick up and move.

SMH...

[Bluetus]

7. "if the Republicans nominate Ken Paxton, who's very unpopular"

I understand what he's saying, which is an indictment of our sick political system, limited to two parties, with most of the races decided in the primary by extreme partisans.

Nonetheless, such a sentence sounds farcical, like something Yogi Berra would say.

"The Republicans might elect Paxton who is very unpopular."

"People don't go that restaurant anymore. It is always too crowded."

My advice to Texas Republicans is, "Come on cowboys. Go with y'all's good ole' boy gut instincts. Paxton's your kinda guy. Pull the lever for him. What could go wrong?"

[hamsterjill]

10. Right there with you.

I want Paxton to beat Cornyn. Because I think Talarico has a chance (note my wording) of beating Paxton.

No guarantees, obviously, but that's my 60+ year Texan opinion.

[Ilikepurple]

15. I think our President is evidence that being unpopular and getting elected is not a logical contradiction.

I do like some Yogi-isms. But I get your point and also agree that Paxton is the softest opponent. I’m also not sure extreme partisans having a winning record in Democratic Party primaries. It seems many moderate to slightly left Democrats get nominated. As far as I can see the Republican party has been leading the way in primarying less partisan candidates at least since the Tea Party phenomenon. I had hoped first the Tea Party then MAGA candidates would be too extreme for moderate republicans and independents. It hasn’t exactly panned out that way. I do hope that Paxton, if he wins the run off, is a bridge too far in the face of Talarico’s charm and command of the issues.

[BobTheSubgenius]

8. "There is something going on..."

Damn. Nothing gets by these guys.

But if he's so damned wise, get him to explain the hat.

[hamsterjill]

11. Hey, at least he's wearing a felt hat (since it's not spring yet).

I crack up at all of the "cowboys" who wear straw hats in winter in Texas. It is an absolute indicator of a dumbass trying to act tough.

[BobTheSubgenius]

12. HAH!

[summer_in_TX]

13. Trump says he'll ask one of the two GOP candidates, Paxton or Cornyn, to drop out.

Paxton has already said he won't. He is very much his sort of guy. But I bet Trump could offer him something cushy to make it happen anyway. With the political calculations favoring Cornyn to squeak by (at least at this point), I suspect Trump will be working to give Paxton a reason to bow out. Probably something with at least 7 digits.

[Skittles]

16. will the repuke base even care

that the decision wouldn't be theirs