Could this finally be the year for Texas Democrats?
On Point with Meghna Chakrabarti
WBUR
4.3 • 3.9K Ratings
🗓️ 31 March 2026
⏱️ 40 minutes
🧾️ Download transcript
Summary
It’s been more than thirty years since a Democrat won state-wide in Texas. But some think a voter backlash against President Trump’s policies could end that drought and that Democratic nominee for Senate James Talarico, could defeat either of his two Republican challengers, John Cornyn or Ken Paxton in the general election. Or are his chances just a blue mirage?
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| 1:12.7 | This is On Point. I'm Anthony Brooks in for Megna Chakra Barney. |
| 1:18.9 | Texas has been a Republican stronghold for a generation. |
| 1:23.6 | The last time a Democrat won a statewide race there was 1994. |
| 1:28.3 | The last time Texas elected a U.S. senator was 1988. |
| 1:32.3 | President Trump gained even more ground for Republicans in 2024, |
| 1:36.3 | turning several counties red for the first time in decades. |
| 1:41.3 | But now James Talariko, a 36-year-old seminarian and former schoolteacher, is giving |
| 1:46.5 | Democrats fresh hope that they can flip a U.S. Senate seat blue in the lone star state. |
| 1:53.2 | One thing is clear today. We're about to take back Texas. |
| 1:59.6 | Talariko emerged from the Democratic primary earlier this month and earned the endorsement |
| 2:04.5 | of his main opponent, Representative Jasmine Crockett. |
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