Hello from Austin and welcome to episode 99 of the National Security Law podcast.

We're brought to you by the Strauss Center at the University of Texas.

It is Election Day, Tuesday morning, November 6, 2018. I'm Bobby Chesney.

I'm Steve Lodick. Remember, remember the 6th of November. I was thinking a re-election day.

Going to go for some Duran Duran. Yeah, that works. I was thinking about Amy Gardner from the

West Wing. Every two years, we get to overthrow the government. Uh-huh. Well, predictions. Let's open with

some predictions. First, what's your prediction on Ted Cruz versus Betta O'Rourke?

Every single person I know tells me that the Democrats in Texas statewide elections always

hope for too much. So I think my gut reaction is, is Ted Cruz

squeaks by, and as part of that, the Republicans hold the Senate. But I don't think it will

surprise our listeners to know that I'm rooting for the opposite result. I think you're right

that it's been a long time since a Democrat won any statewide election in Texas.

And if the bases both turn out, then there's a bigger base here for Ted Cruz.

And there's a lot of straight ticket voting at least one more election.

So I think probably squeaks by, but it's certainly never been close like this before, not in recent elections.

And I do think, I mean, I will predict. I do think

the Dems are going to pick up a handful of House seats in Texas as part of what I also predict is

going to be a Democratic takeover of the House. You know, I don't know whether it's a huge sweep

or whether it's just a narrow, you know, the Dems just got past 218, I don't know.

But I feel like, you know, it seems like we're heading in that direction.

I think that's right.

Any other races you're following around the country?

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