GOP fortress is under threat in one key red state, and these voters could decide whether it falls

Democrat James Talarico is trying to become the first member of his party in more than 30 years to win statewide office in Texas, and Fox News Digital reports that his chances in the Nov. 3 Senate contest hinge heavily on Black and Hispanic turnout. Talarico is running against Republican Ken Paxton, and a poll cited by the outlet shows the two tied, which puts pressure on a state Republicans have long controlled.

At the State Fair in Dallas on Sept. 29, a military veteran named Mike said this may be the right moment for a Texas Democrat to win. He told Fox News Digital that the outcome depends on whether "Black and brown voters come out for Talarico." Mike argued that residents who say they want change now have a chance to deliver it by showing up at the polls.

The demographic stakes are large. Texas has roughly 2. 7 million Black eligible voters, more than any other state, so Houston, Dallas-Fort Worth and East Texas could prove pivotal for any Democratic statewide bid. Former President Barack Obama appeared alongside Talarico in Austin in May, a sign of how much the party is counting on that bloc. Success could also signal whether Texas becomes a more competitive battleground in later elections.

Talarico also has unity problems. He beat Rep. Jasmine Crockett in a bitter primary earlier this year. Crockett, who is leaving Congress, has not backed him.

Summarized by PolitiKool from Fox News’s reporting. Read the full story at Fox News →