Supreme Court Ruling and District Changes
State Republicans argued the map reflects population growth and new voting trends, while Democrats accused them of racial gerrymandering designed to weaken minority representation. Among those affected is Crockett, whose Dallas-based district was dismantled under the new boundaries. Once seen as a safe Democratic seat, her district has been merged into a more competitive landscape – prompting her to abandon her House seat and launch a Senate campaign against Sen. John Cornyn (R-TX). After the ruling, Crockett unleashed a profanity-laden tirade on social media, accusing President Trump, Republican governors, and state legislatures of “rigging the system” and directing state-level redistricting to entrench GOP power.
Texas Senate Race Heats Up
Talarico has emerged as the frontrunner in Texas’s Democratic Senate primary, holding a nine-point lead over Crockett, according to a new Emerson College Polling/Nexstar Media survey. Among likely Democratic primary voters, 47 percent said they plan to back Talarico, compared with 38 percent for Crockett. Another 15 percent remain undecided with less than two months before the March primary. The two Democrats are battling for the nomination to challenge Sen. John Cornyn, who faces his own tight contest on the Republican side.
Republican Primary Race Tightens
On the Republican side, Attorney General Ken Paxton continues to pose a serious threat to Sen. Cornyn, leading him 27 percent to 26 percent among likely GOP primary voters. Rep. Wesley Hunt (R-Texas) trails at 16 percent, while 29 percent remain undecided, the poll found. “Neither Ken Paxton nor John Cornyn appears positioned to reach 50% on the primary ballot, as the Republican electorate remains sharply divided,” Kimball said. “With Wesley Hunt gaining traction at 16%, a runoff between Cornyn and Paxton now appears likely in May.”