All In on Texas
I’m writing today in The Big Picture about Tuesday’s primary election in Texas—the “big prize” state that both parties have their eyes on.
On the Democratic side, it wasn’t a policy fight so much as a question of style. James Talarico ran on faith, unity and anti-corporate populism, while Jasmine Crockett came out swinging as the anti-Trump firebrand. Talarico won, but there’s a racial gap he’ll need to close. That said, he’s also made promising inroads with independents and Latino voters. The eye-popping numbers tell a fascinating story.
On the GOP side, Sen. John Cornyn and Texas AG Ken Paxton, a far-right extremist, both failed to reach a majority due to a spoiler candidate. That means a runoff at the end of May. Expect things to get ugly, and for Trump to play an outsize role—for better or worse for that party.
Texas is a big long-run prize because of its 40 Electoral College votes—possibly 45 after 2030. If Republicans maintain their hold there, Democrats will have to run the table elsewhere to win the White House. Talarico says the moment to take back Texas is now, and that he’s the standard bearer. Republicans, including Trump, are clearly worried. I lay this out, including some very interesting results, in today’s piece.
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See you this afternoon, and then back here tomorrow with my regular column.
Jay
Not sure anyone outside of Texas (and maybe even a lot of Texans themselves) are aware of this, but the 2 counties where the GOP shenanigans caused problems are the home counties of Crockett and Talarico. Coincidence? I don’t believe in coincidences. If it is, it’s an intriguing data point.
I wish people would quit acting as if Talarico is out there trying to evangelize voters into becoming Christians. HE'S NOT. He has very, very clearly said in so many words that church and state need to be kept separate.
What he *is* doing is calling out all of these people who claim to be Christians while stomping all over what Jesus asked his followers to do. He's simply using the words of Jesus to say, only slightly over-simplified, "we are supposed to be taking care of each other, not seeing how cruel we can be, and especially not in the name of God."
There are all kinds of examples of social justice in the Gospels, but you'll never hear abut them from the insecure men and botoxxed women who think wearing a cross on camera means something.
Edit: He has also said that Christianity is not the only true religion and that he has learned good things from others as well.