Texas Democrats are pooling resources, holding joint rallies in latest effort to win the November midterms
Democrats have launched a new effort to try to turn Texas blue in November. Their party's nominees running for statewide office have recently begun holding joint rallies as part of what they're calling Texas Together.
The first rally took place in Fort Worth last month. State Rep. James Talarico, the nominee for U.S. Senate, and state Rep. Gina Hinojosa, the nominee for governor, were among those who addressed hundreds of supporters.
Talarico hopes state Sen. Taylor Rehmet's recent win in a special election in a GOP‑majority Senate district in Tarrant County will pave the way for a larger victory this fall.
"You shocked the nation by flipping a state Senate seat here in Fort Worth," Talarico told supporters. "In November, we're going to shock the world by flipping a U.S. Senate seat here in Texas."
Democrats push coordinated message
Hinojosa told CBS News Texas that events like the rallies will help them spread their message.
"Everybody has a different message. Everybody has a different appeal, different style, attracts different constituencies, and so I'm proud to be a part of this big slate ticket, these leaders who are fighting to change Texas this midterm election."
It has been 32 years since a Democrat won statewide office. The last time they came close was in 2018, when Beto O'Rourke lost the U.S. Senate race to Sen. Ted Cruz by 2.6 percentage points.
Pooling resources after 2018 lessons
A variety of Democratic organizations are working together to pool campaign data and other resources. In 2018, some involved in O'Rourke's campaign told Eye on Politics reporter Jack Fink that there was little to no support from the state and national parties.
"I think it's probably a good idea," said SMU political science professor Matthew Wilson about the Democrats' strategy. "I think Democrats sense a real opportunity."
He says Democrats want to make sure all their candidates are on the same page.
"If the Senate race really breaks decisively in their favor, they want to be in a position to capitalize on that by having consistent momentum up and down the ticket and perhaps bringing a whole slew of Democratic candidates into office."