Talarico Wins Texas Democratic Senate Primary (As Dems Turn Out More Votes Than GOP)

 

Texas Democrats have their nominee for the U.S. Senate. James Talarico defeated Jasmine Crockett in a hard fought race (52.8% to 45.9%) - with both candidates getting more than a million votes. On Wednesday morning, Crockett (being the good Democrat she has always been) conceded saying:

“This morning I called James and congratulated him on becoming the Senate nominee. Texas is primed to turn blue and we must remain united because this is bigger than any one person. This is about the future of all 30 million Texans and getting America back on track. With the primary behind us, Democrats must rally around our nominees and win. I’m committed to doing my part and will continue working to elect Democrats up and down the ballot.”

We still don't know who the Republican nominee will be. Neither incumbent John Cornyn and Ken Paxton could get 50% of the vote, so they will be in a run-off in late May. 

This will help Talarico. He can get busy raising funds and campaigning across the state while the Two Republican candidates fight each other (in what has been a rather nasty campaign) for another two months.

The Republicans spent over $100 million in this campaign, and it is expected they will spend another $100 million in the run-off. This is money that could have been spent helping Republicans in other states stave off what is looking like it could be a nationwide blue wave.

It also looks like Democrats may have a small enthusiasm edge. Spending only about $35 million in the primary, they turned out 2,252,358 votes. The $100 million spent by Republicans got them 2,141,929 (about 110,429 fewer votes than in the Democratic primary). 

Add to this the fact that Donald Trump is underwater in red state Texas (45% approve to 49% who disapprove), and it looks like Texas may have its best chance of electing a Democrat to the U.S. Senate in several decades.