James Talarico has the look of a confident candidate who knows that he has a real shot at being the first Democrat to win a statewide election in Texas in decades.
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A Marist Poll released on Wednesday found Talarico leading Paxton 50%-44%:
Talarico (50%) edges Paxton (44%) among registered voters statewide in the contest for U.S. Senate in Texas. Talarico receives majority support among independents (55%) Regardless of whom they support, 52% of voters overall think Paxton will win the Senate race.
A Democrat hasn’t won statewide in Texas since 1994, so it makes sense that a majority of voters in the state would think that Paxton will win the Senate race. Texas Republicans have spent decades making it nearly impossible for Democrats to win statewide. That reality is reflected by the finding that so many voters think Paxton will win.
The perception that Paxton will win is what James Talarico is battling against. It is not enough for him to be a viable candidate. The electorate in Texas has to believe that the Democrat can win, which is why getting Paxton on the debate stage is so important.
Talarico was interviewed at an event by The Texas Tribune on Thursday and he made some news by challenging Paxton to a debate on Fox News.