Texas Deadlock and Cooper Lead Put Senate Map in Motion
Wednesday, May 20, 2026 · 10 min
James Talarico is polling even with John Cornyn and Ken Paxton in Texas, while Roy Cooper posts an 11-point North Carolina lead and Democrats reserve modest New Hampshire insurance money — a map that is widening, but still demanding proof beyond early polls.
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Show notes
James Talarico is polling even with John Cornyn and Ken Paxton in Texas, while Roy Cooper posts an 11-point North Carolina lead and Democrats reserve modest New Hampshire insurance money — a map that is widening, but still demanding proof beyond early polls.
In this episode
- New Texas poll shows deadlocked Senate race as Republicans face 2026 headwinds heading into November election | News | ktbs.com — KTBS
# New Texas poll shows deadlocked Senate race as Republicans face 2026 headwinds heading into November election | News | ktbs.com Published: 2026-05-19T00:00:00 Source: ktbs.com (ktbs.com) Language: en ## Story New Texas poll shows deadlocked Senate race as Republicans face 2026 headwinds heading into November election | News | ktbs.com You have permission to edit this article. Watch Live…
- Step Back — When a state like Texas still leans Republican, what actually has to go wrong for the GOP — an unpopular nominee, a bruising primary, national headwinds, turnout shifts — before Democrats can realistically call it a Senate pickup instead of a mirage?
Background sources
- Could this finally be the year for Texas Democrats? | On Point with Meghna Chakrabarti — On Point with Meghna Chakrabarti
- Cornyn Staying Alive is Enough to Keep Texas Senate as Likely Republican - Sabato's Crystal Ball — Kyle Kondik and J. Miles Coleman
- Messy Texas Senate Primaries Careen to an End — Or Probable Overtime for GOP | Cook Political Report — Jessica Taylor
- Talarico leads both Cornyn, Paxton in new Texas Senate polls — Gabby Birenbaum, Kayla Guo
- Why Texas could determine which party controls the Senate in 2027 | Brookings — Elaine Kamarck
- Texas Primary 2026 Analysis: GOP Feud Intensifies, Democrats Eye Senate Takeover - Bloomberg — Joe Lovinger
- Analysis: Talarico just climbed a big hill in Texas. Now he faces a mountain | CNN Politics — Ronald Brownstein
- GOP Faces “Nightmare Scenario” as Trump Endorses Paxton: “Almost Certain to Make Republicans’ Midterm Campaign Harder” - DSCC — DSCC
# GOP Faces “Nightmare Scenario” as Trump Endorses Paxton: “Almost Certain to Make Republicans’ Midterm Campaign Harder” - DSCC Published: 2026-05-20T20:55:37+00:00 Source: dscc.org (dscc.org) Language: en ## Story GOP Faces “Nightmare Scenario” as Trump Endorses Paxton: “Almost Certain to Make Republicans’ Midterm Campaign Harder” - DSCC Help Us Flip the Senate Donate Now Washington…
- Polls show Cooper with strong lead over Whatley for NC Senate seat — The Hill
Polls show Cooper with strong lead over Whatley for NC Senate seat ## Just In Tillis urges GOP colleagues to hold budget bill over White House ballroom funding Senate| 29 minutes ago Polls show Cooper with strong lead over Whatley for NC Senate seat State Watch| 34 minutes ago Cornyn, Paxton in dead heat with Talarico as early voting begins for Texas Senate GOP runoff: Poll Campaign| 1…
- For Democrats, Is NH Senate Race a Battleground, or an Insurance Policy? - NH Journal — NH Journal
# For Democrats, Is NH Senate Race a Battleground, or an Insurance Policy? - NH Journal Author: Michael Graham Published: 2026-05-20T02:39:49+00:00 Source: nhjournal.com (nhjournal.com) Language: en ## Story For Democrats, Is NH Senate Race a Battleground, or an Insurance Policy? - NH Journal U.S. Rep. Chris Pappas campaigning at his field office in Manchester on May 16, 2026. When it comes…