Welcome to From the Politics Desk, a daily newsletter that brings you the NBC News Politics team’s latest reporting and analysis from the White House, Capitol Hill and the campaign trail.In today’s edition, Natasha Korecki breaks down the Democratic and the Republican theory of the case in the Texas Senate race.Plus, we lay out what to watch for in tonight’s elections.
Sign up to receive this newsletter in your inbox every weekday here.— Adam WollnerDemocrats see an opening in Texas.Is it déjà vu or a breakthrough?Analysis by Natasha KoreckiTexas Democrats have been here before.
Their Senate candidate has shot to national prominence, raised gobs of money and is within striking distance of the Republican in the polls.In 2018, that was Beto O’Rourke, who ultimately lost narrowly to GOP Sen.
Ted Cruz.Today, it’s James Talarico, who’s up against state Attorney General Ken Paxton.
This time, it seems Democrats have learned their lesson about getting too bullish too soon.Even privately, they typically sum up their chances in Texas cautiously, saying it’s the best chance they’ve had in years.It’s been some 30 years since a Democrat has won statewide in Texas.
At the same time, the race appears competitive enough that each party considers Texas a battleground this fall, forcing Republicans to spend in and defend in what typically is safe territory.“We have it in our top-tier states,” said Lauren French, the communications director for Senate Majority PAC, a super PAC with ties to Senate Democratic leadership.
That list includes Maine, Michigan, Georgia, North Carolina, Alaska, Iowa and Ohio.Here’s what Democrats say they have going for them that could make this year different.
Candidate quality: Talarico is a gifted speaker and a seminarian, who attempts to tap into his Christian faith to attract unlikely supporters.Meanwhile, Paxton brings some personal baggage to the race.
He was impeached by the state House in 2023 — including 70% o...