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● InformationalElections / Campaigns

What Democrats need to do to flip Texas, and how Republicans can hang on

Paxton advanced to a runoff with Cornyn after the senator failed to clear the primary threshold.

What Democrats need to do to flip Texas, and how Republicans can hang on
Image · The Boston Globe

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Outlet credibilityThe Boston Globe83/100 HIGH
This article1 analysis · Oct 9, 2026
tl;dr

James Talarico’s Democratic primary win sets up a campaign to flip a Texas Senate seat, while John Cornyn and Ken Paxton head toward a Republican runoff. The article examines how party unity and a possible Trump endorsement could shape both contests.

Community verdict

VOTING CLOSED
How does this story look for
Ken Paxton R · TX
NOT RATEDCLOSED

No good or bad look here

This story reports what happened without casting Paxton in a good or bad light, so readers don’t rate it and it doesn’t count toward Paxton’s record.

● INFORMATIONAL

People in this story

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Ken Paxton
R · TX

Republican Senate candidate in a runoff against John Cornyn

PRIMARY SUBJECT

Democratic Senate candidate and Texas primary winner

Talarico's version of this story ↗
John Cornyn
R · TX · SEN

Republican senator facing Ken Paxton in a runoff

Cornyn's version of this story ↗

Texas representative and former Democratic Senate candidate

Donald Trump
R · President of the United States

President of the United States; potential endorser in the Republican runoff

John Thune
R · SD · SEN

Senate majority leader supporting Cornyn’s prospects in the runoff

Chuck Schumer
D · NY · SEN

Senate minority leader commenting on Talarico’s primary victory

Kamala Harris
Former U.S. Senator (D-CA)

Former vice president who supported Crockett during the primary

Part of a bigger story

12 OUTLETS
James Talarico Wins Texas Democratic Senate Primary

Outlets agree that James Talarico won the Texas Democratic Senate primary and Ken Paxton advanced to a Republican runoff against John Cornyn. Left-leaning outlets emphasize Republican concern that a Paxton nomination could put the seat at risk. Center outlets mostly present results while also examining broader electoral stakes, including party coalitions and the influence of the MAGA movement.

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