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● InformationalElections / Campaigns

Steve Kornacki: What Democrats' sky-high turnout in the Texas primary does — and doesn't — mean for November

The article weighs whether strong Democratic primary turnout can help Talarico win a Texas Senate seat in November.

Steve Kornacki: What Democrats' sky-high turnout in the Texas primary does — and doesn't — mean for November
Image · NBC News

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Outlet credibilityNBC News85/100 HIGH
This article1 analysis · Oct 9, 2026
NBC News
Mar 4, 2026
tl;dr

Democrats cast more ballots than Republicans in Texas’ Senate primaries, a turnout milestone that Steve Kornacki says signals strong Democratic energy but does not establish that the party can win in November. James Talarico still faces the challenge of persuading voters beyond the primary electorate.

Community verdict

VOTING CLOSED
How does this story look for
NOT RATEDCLOSED

No good or bad look here

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

● INFORMATIONAL

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Democratic Senate candidate whose prospects are assessed in light of Texas primary turnout

PRIMARY SUBJECT
John McCain
Former U.S. Senator (R-AZ)

2008 Republican presidential candidate

Democratic Senate primary candidate

Donald Trump
R · President of the United States

President, discussed as a factor in voter sentiment and a possible runoff endorsement

Wesley Hunt
R · TX-38

Representative and Republican Senate primary candidate

Ken Paxton
R · TX

Texas attorney general and Republican Senate candidate

Ted Cruz
R · TX · SEN

Senator and 2018 Republican Senate candidate, cited in a historical comparison

Beto O'Rourke
Former U.S. Representative (D-TX)

Former Texas Senate candidate used as a historical comparison

John Cornyn
R · TX · SEN

Republican senator and Senate candidate in the Texas primary

ALSO MENTIONED  Barack Obama, Former president and 2008 Democratic presidential candidate; Dan Patrick, Texas lieutenant governor, quoted about the 2018 election; Hillary Clinton, 2008 Democratic presidential candidate; Mike Huckabee, 2008 Republican presidential candidate

Part of a bigger story

24 OUTLETS
James Talarico Wins Democratic Nomination for Texas Senate

James Talarico won the Texas Democratic Senate primary, defeating Jasmine Crockett and earning the party’s nomination. Left-leaning outlets present the win as a possible Democratic opening in Texas, while some also highlight voting disputes or faith politics. Center outlets report the result and examine turnout, voter coalitions, party unity and Talarico’s prospects in November. Right-leaning outlets focus on his progressive views and general-election viability, with some criticizing his ideology and others emphasizing Texas’s Republican lean.

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