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James Talarico's chances against Cornyn vs. Paxton in Texas—New poll
Newsweek via MSN ^ | May 18, 2026 | Andrew Stanton

Posted on 05/18/2026 11:12:10 AM PDT by fwdude

Democrat James Talarico is in striking distance of flipping Texas, according to a new poll of the Lone Star State’s 2026 Senate race released ahead of the Republican runoff between Senator John Cornyn and Attorney General Ken Paxton.

Democrats believe a favorable national environment, a weakened GOP nominee and reversion among Hispanic and Latino voters that shifted rightward in 2024 could create a perfect storm for them to flip Texas in the midterm elections. Texas has been a site of Democratic ambitions for several election cycles, but Republicans have held onto their iron grip of the state. However, the new poll from Texas Southern University suggests that grip could be slipping ahead of the midterms.

(Excerpt) Read more at msn.com ...


TOPICS: Culture/Society; Philosophy; Politics/Elections; US: Texas
KEYWORDS: corruption; elections; fraud; media; talarico
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It's unnerving that Talarico is this close. But when the Republican front-runner becomes established after the runoff, whether it's Paxton (hopefully) or Cornyn, the poll will likely swing significantly to the Republican.
1 posted on 05/18/2026 11:12:10 AM PDT by fwdude
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To: fwdude

We hear this every time this point in the election. Then the Republican wins by double-digits.


2 posted on 05/18/2026 11:14:36 AM PDT by dfwgator ("I am Charlie Kirk!")
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To: fwdude

not really...the polls said Ted Cruz was in a tight race in the lead up to November 2024 and he won- by almost 1 million votes...

Allred ahead of Cruz in newest poll of US Senate race; debate scheduled

by Adela UchidaFri, September 20, 2024 at 6:22 PM
Updated Fri, September 20, 2024 at 6:31 PM

https://cbsaustin.com/news/local/allred-ahead-of-cruz-in-newest-poll-of-us-senate-race-debate-scheduled


3 posted on 05/18/2026 11:14:59 AM PDT by God luvs America
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To: fwdude

They want to keep the money rolling in. Cornyn could have beat the nutcase, but she’s not the opponent, instead it’s a White dude, which only Paxton has the capability to do what’s needed to beat him.


4 posted on 05/18/2026 11:15:54 AM PDT by BobL (Trusting one's doctor is the #1 health mistake one can make.)
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To: fwdude

So Newsweek says Talarico is tied with both of them?

They wish, and that’s all this poll is pushing.


5 posted on 05/18/2026 11:18:01 AM PDT by Alas Babylon! (Conservatives can't afford to sit out. Vote like your freedom depends on it, it does!)
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To: dfwgator

Within striking distance is newsweak code for losing.


6 posted on 05/18/2026 11:18:50 AM PDT by gibsonguy
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To: fwdude

They lie.

Polls are lies.

They wrote this crap about Benito also. He got creamed.


7 posted on 05/18/2026 11:18:52 AM PDT by Fledermaus ("It turns out all we really needed was a new President!")
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To: fwdude

“It’s unnerving that Talarico is this close.”

It’s not surprising to me. Cost of living is through the roof. People are feeling threatened by AI, which the president is all on board for. The president is also pursuing a war in Iran. Data centers are springing up in small towns all over the state with large tax breaks. Things aren’t looking good.

Don’t get me wrong, I think Talarico is a first class putz. But the democrats might have a better shot here in Texas than they have in the past.


8 posted on 05/18/2026 11:20:41 AM PDT by Languager
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To: fwdude

Harris was going to win Iowa too.


9 posted on 05/18/2026 11:25:59 AM PDT by Midwesterner53
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To: fwdude

I don’t believe this poll but there are some crazy women and beta male voters who may buy his effeminate personna.


10 posted on 05/18/2026 11:29:17 AM PDT by outinyellowdogcountry
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To: dfwgator

True - but operating like it can’t/couldn’t happen is how a lot of sad stories have begun.

Cruz didn’t win by very much in 2018.

Quite frankly, though, with Talarico, some of his comments should not only be aired in ads in Texas, but nationwide to brand the Democrats in general.


11 posted on 05/18/2026 11:30:18 AM PDT by Republican Wildcat
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To: fwdude

The liberals say this literally every Texas election.Stop believing the lies


12 posted on 05/18/2026 11:35:33 AM PDT by Skwor
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To: fwdude

Didn’t they said the same about the Hispanic Irish??


13 posted on 05/18/2026 11:43:26 AM PDT by DeplorableTrumpSupporter (FKA ConservaTeen)
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To: fwdude
Remember, they told us that Beta O'Rourke was a threat each time he ran as well.

How'd that work out?

Bottom line: Cornball needs to go.
14 posted on 05/18/2026 11:47:50 AM PDT by Antoninus (Republicans are all honorable men.)
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To: fwdude
He looks like he's just out of high school!


15 posted on 05/18/2026 11:48:34 AM PDT by aquila48 (Do not let them make you "care" ! Guilting you is how they control you. )
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To: fwdude

You mean the guy who committed election interference with Colbert against a strong black woman?


16 posted on 05/18/2026 11:51:39 AM PDT by Vesuvian
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To: fwdude

Talarico will be crushed in November by at least 15%. All the attention is on the Paxton-Cornyn runoff. After that, the GOP will destroy Talarico.


17 posted on 05/18/2026 11:51:52 AM PDT by WASCWatch ( WASC)
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To: fwdude

This poll is a psy-op, the media is desperate to prevent Paxton becoming the GOP nominee.

What the media is doing here is preying on old fears and old propagandas that somehow conservatives always lose elections and that the only way a republican can win an election is if its some hard left wing republican.

In other words, this poll is a journalistic campaign ad for John Cornyn. It is a garbage poll.


18 posted on 05/18/2026 12:03:40 PM PDT by ProgressingAmerica (The U.S. Constitution is not a suicide pact. Progressivism is a suicide pact.)
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To: dfwgator
We hear this every time this point in the election. Then the Republican wins by double-digits.

100% Texas Republicans are split right now, but they will come together before November. Dems have ZERO chance of taking this seat.

19 posted on 05/18/2026 12:04:49 PM PDT by SomeCallMeTim
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To: God luvs America

Yep.
More MSM trying to get all their minions voting.


20 posted on 05/18/2026 12:04:56 PM PDT by Zathras
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