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Democrats in Texas are celebrating the fact that they have recruited a candidate for every state and federal race on the 2026 midterm ballot—even though they haven’t been able to win a statewide election in more than 30 years.
This massive recruitment success came in large part thanks to efforts by failed gubernatorial, Senate, and presidential candidate Robert Francis (Beto) O’Rourke, who worked alongside the Texas Majority PAC and the Texas Democratic Party, recruiting 104 candidates to compete in previously uncontested races.
So does this mean Texas Democrats will finally get the blue wave they’ve been pushing for in the state since 2018? Unfortunately for them, it’s no guarantee that Texas will flip blue—or even purple.
Political science professor Dr. Jacquie Baly explained: “Their goal is to boost turnout and engagement in down-ballot races. However, it does not guarantee changing partisan control.”
Baly says this might actually have the opposite of the intended effect and bolster Republicans across the state. “Their base will feel more emboldened to block-walk, get the word out, and give money when they haven’t had the need to do so before—because there wasn’t really a real race,” she said.
She also pointed out that Democrats are likely going to have to fight just to keep control of their strongholds like Harris County, which Governor Abbott has pledged to dedicate significant amounts of his time and campaign resources to flipping.