Team Talarico play for Republican crossover votes reeks of desperation

The James Talarico campaign wants so badly for Republicans to vote for him.

First came a questionable poll immediately following the Runoff which claimed a 47-44% lead for the Democrat nominee in the race for U.S. Senator from Texas.

The poll reported that one-third of John Cornyn's supporters from the Runoff would break for Talarico, thereby splitting their tickets and giving the carpetbagger Austin Representative a slight edge.

Then came the attacks on the conservative grassroots. 

FLECK: Travis Democrat Chair Ouster Attempt Is 'True To Form'

TCDP Chair Cohen (Instagram campaign video screenshot)

by Jennifer Fleck, Travis GOP Chair

The Travis County Democrats plan to petition the oust of their new County Chair, Jessica Cohen.

Will the Democrats use false narratives to oust their own duly elected candidate? Akin to Joe Biden winning the 2025 Presidential nomination by the voters, but the “party” supplanting their own nominee.

So much for democracy. 

The first sign something was awry came on March 3, 2026, during election night activities at Central Count. After early voting results were released, county officials appeared noticeably surprised by the outcome of the Democratic Chair race.

Your Conservative Local Election Guide: May 2, 2026 Election

Just over 1,000 Travis County residents submitted their ballots as early voting began Monday, April 20, in the May Local Election.

While that may seem like a small total, consider that not every Travis County resident will have something to vote on this time. Voters may also be confused about the Primary Runoffs, taking place later in May. Adding even more chaos: San Jacinto Day is Tuesday, April 21, interrupting what is already a short early voting period. 

But if you've read this far, you want to know who and what to vote on! We've got you covered. First. check with Travis County (www.votetravis.gov) and see your sample ballot to verify if you're eligible this election. 

Second, while our friends with the Travis GOP do not (yet) have any endorsements, local Republicans and conservatives have put together a complete list of local races and some recommendations where applicable. We include that list below. Happy voting, and we'll see you again during the Runoff.

Are Democrats eclipsing Republican voters in Texas? Some things to consider

It's common political chatter by now that there's no real path to controlling the country without taking Texas. 

Democrats know this, and have been pouring increasing amounts of national resources into taking the Lone Star State, which hasn't seen a Democratic statewide official in what is going into a fourth decade.

U.S. Senate and gubernatorial races have tended to become hopeful battlegrounds, with Dems lining up every two years behind a rising star such as Beto O'Rourke as a seemingly solo standard-bearer.  In 2020, O'Rourke as a contender for Governor brought in 1,869,419 Democrat Primary voters as compated to 1,934,047 Republican Primary voters. That's about as close as it has been in recent memory.