Talarico is leading both Cornyn and Paxton in senate race.

[ananda]

https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026/apr/28/texas-senate-talarico-leads-race-cornyn-paxton

TPOR poll of 1,018 likely voters puts Talarico ahead of John Cornyn by three percentage points and Ken Paxton by five

According to the poll, which surveyed the intentions of 1,018 likely voters, Talarico has a three point lead – 44% to 41% over Cornyn, who has been a senator since 2002 and served four consecutive terms.

Talarico, a former seminarian who has made a point of fusing his Christian values with progressive policies, has a five point lead, 46% to 41%, in a hypothetical contest with Paxton, the Texas attorney general who has gained a reputation as a conservative firebrand and been embroiled in controversy after misconduct charges led to him being impeached in 2023.

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I like this.

[surfered]

1. Fingers crossed....

[TBF]

2. Republicans will solidify once the runoff is over -

I've been in a funk about Texas since Wendy Davis, but I do think Talarico has the right kind of background and a lot of charisma. In an anti-establishment climate he does have a chance!!

[SSJVegeta]

4. I think he can totally use this time before the runoff to really solidify his support

It would give the gop nominee a really tough time making up lost ground.

[TBF]

5. I've noticed his outreach to the Hispanic Community -

and that makes me so happy. I think he's a very good fit for where Texas is right now.

[SSJVegeta]

7. Oh totally! I think we are going to see increasingly favorable polling for him as the general election nears

Funny enough I dont think I have seen cornyn or Paxton leading Talarico in any polls since the primary

[ananda]

6. Yeah, it's a good thing he's built up a warchest.

Once the primary is over, I hope he'll be all over
the state with lots of help from volunteers.

We really need a good ground game.

[SSJVegeta]

3. Hes making progress. Not quite where he needs to be but close

Probably using his warchest now to solidify support before all the smear campaigns really get up and running would be a good plan.

[Torchlight]

8. His steady, consistent progress is becoming more obvious as the cycle passes.

Independents and moderates are breaking heavily for him in polling. His blending of progressive policy positions with a message grounded in faith outreach has helped him appeal to voters beyond the clutch-Democratic base. I think this support reflects an unusually broader coalition and signals that shifts in voter attitudes combined with his campaign approach could make what once seemed like a long shot into a plausible competitive race.

He's polling ahead in deep-red Texas. Republicans will need truck loads of Mary Kay to put lipstick on this pig and pretend a narrative that reality doesn't support.

[ananda]

10. THank you.

That's a heartening analysis.

[Omnipresent]

9. Great!

I would like to see him break over 50% against those two.
That way we know they are definitely doomed to lose.

[Texin]

11. Well, this is early days. I'm a Texan and I have high expectations, but this damnable state can't be relied on

to put anybody in elected state (or federal) office unless there's a big red MAGA hat riding on top of their head.

[ananda]

12. I think it depends on the volunteer ground game.

Keeping him and his message in the forefront
across the state.

[hamsterjill]

14. I am hopeful but realistic.

I think Talarico has done all the right things as a Democrat it this hell hole of a state. Sixth generation Texan here. I think it's going to come down to whether any of the moderate Republicans will actually come over and vote for him.

During the primary, some that I know personally said they would. They would not have supported Crockett. Now, let's see if they actually will do this and separate from their red-clad clan on this one! I know they won't vote for Paxton, but if Cornyn wins, that'll be the real question.

[ananda]

15. My family has been here since before the Civil War.

That side went Magat.

My sibs and I are diehard Democrats.

We voted for Talarico in the primary
and really like him.

[Aepps22]

13. Hopefully he shores up Black Voters

Hopefully James is really working hard to shore up his support in the Black community. There are clear warning signs that I hope his campaign is taking seriously.

[fujiyamasan]

16. I got the impression he's not taking any votes for granted and running an inclusive message

[fujiyamasan]

17. Encouraging

Tough race, but I like his brand of Christianity. He strikes me as a decent guy and his message should connect with many. I’m not Christian and am personally not a fan of religiously infused messaging, but if I lived in Texas, I definitely wouldn’t have a problem with the inclusive religious tone — it meets a majority of the voters where they’re at and he’s not alienating any non Christians. Most importantly it’s sincere and authentic.

He’s about the best chance a democrat has had in winning a statewide race in Texas since Beto. The state of the country is obviously in much worse shape than 2018.

[ananda]

18. That's how I think.

I think he's spreading love and hope with a very
broad brush.