I’m a plugged in Precinct Chair and activist. You have just stated the universal reaction to him running again and by all the grassroots folks who felt betrayed, and I know that’s a strong word, but it’s exactly how we felt, by him. I’ve stopped any solicitations from his campaign via text or email and I am actively working to support any other candidate besides him. His campaign was a disaster and we won’t have anything to do with him. Check out Terry Virts.
I don’t know who’d win if it ended up a 4 way brawl between many candidates only assuming, but a lot are assuming Beto would not run for AG, Gov, or Lt Gov and for Sen too quickly— I don’t think he’s eyeing it alone, Cornyn is in trouble in his primary vs Paxton, we’ll see but I’m getting a feeling he’s not eyeing it as he had Castro & Talarico with him at the Town Hall so they’re probably working a plan out with those three.
There was no split ticketing in 2022, Dems, basically everyone who broke for Abbott did so for Patrick and Paxton still won by 9.8% anyway so 1.1% not doing so is irrelevant.
In 2024, a little though very negligible as well, but Cruz still did better than in 2018 by over 5% and won by >8% as opposed to his narrow win of 2.6% in the prior cycle (2014, he won by 14%), it’s not going to be that divergent from top of ticket period so everyone wagering, “Oh, if we could just take out the weakest one…” Nope, it’s not going to be that easy, the good old boys club protects each other there.
Abbott has to lose for the rest to lose, going to keep saying it, they all might want to consider picking the easiest fight right now is still a loss if the strongest Rep wins on top again regardless- they can’t dodge him, period.
I think Beto is still mulling it over, in private, but Governor is where he should still opt for— Greg would not lose to any generic Dem, period, if he does.
Senate isn’t the race for him, that can afford to be a neophyte who has never been vetted but the top of ticket can’t in Talarico who is his understudy basically.
Castro running for AG makes sense, to me.
Allred, trying a Senate bid, he’s free to do so but he and Talarico will probably challenge each other so we’ll see there.
No one wants Abbott, for obvious reasons, but O’Rourke is the only Dem he could lose to— needs to think about it, long and hard, Beto is clearly GOING to run for something + is teasing just to keep people guessing intentionally but I don’t think he’s aiming for the Senate either.
Dems don’t have anyone for Lt Gov in mind either, right now, like Patrick needs a challenger too- they better figure it out in TX, truly.
I believe Beto is aiming at Rematching Abbott. The Senate has gotten overcrowded with Allred, and very likely Talarico. Abbott’s approval ratings are getting worse and worse, he’s losing support even in the RGV and Texas Farmers are abandoning MAGA.
Agree with all of this. If we're playing repeats, I'd prefer Beto and his more progressive policies and actual history of public service to the Texas people. Not saying he should run. He's tried that twice now. But Colin is not it.
I think he should still think about running regardless, fact is no Dem has won in Texas in 30+ years so a repeat is okay anyway even from Allred (not saying he’d win, he did substantially worse than O’Rourke in 2024 for one thing notably in 2018 objectively) in this case since Texas has no Dem victorious to date since 1990 at any level, point me to one and there is none— but I will say imo not for Sen, I still say Dems have to field their strongest candidate to date if they want Abbott gone from the Gov mansion.
Abbott is keeping the state Red specifically, repeatedly, add to that it’s been lost for POTUS too repeatedly: Harris lost the state, Clinton lost the state, Biden lost the state, Obama lost the state…no one’s won, no one, the real question is why did Cruz almost lose in 2018? His opponent obviously, as he should’ve run away with it easily when his approval was 52% back then in the CNN exit polls in Texas: he’s a Republican in a state that loves Republicans, simple. The media can make up narratives, doesn’t make them true, people bought them too easily: the Graham of Texas, SC loves Graham too no matter what Dems think of him.
Field the strongest Dem in the state on top of the ticket for Gov, if he runs, simply put: Beto, Colin, James T, and Joaquin C all going at each others throats for a Sen bid will end up a disaster, which is why I don’t think it would happen— they’ve got to be strategic.
Of course I will support Talarico no matter what he decides. But, I feel like he can do more good in the Texas Legislature. Replacing Dan Patrick with him would do so much to moderate Republicans and push Democrats' progressive agenda to help people here right now. It would be very fine if Talarico and other Democrats could take back some power at the legislature and nix these destructive vouchers. He can't do that as a Senator. And, really a Blue Texas helps national Democrats greatly.
I don't have strong feelings about who to run for Senator. But, I am tired of Democrats being unable to mount a strong challenge to local Republicans like Patrick. Patrick has been utterly destructive in that position.
This is correct. Thank you for confirming the conclusion I drew from watching Allred's campaign. He was coming across in ads exactly as you say. I signed up to door knock in my area anyway because we had to win, dadgummit. Since I'm still bitter about it, I am going to tell my story about volunteering to door knock for Allred.
It was very close to the election. It was hot and 5pm, one of the most intense times of day for heat here in the metroplex. I got to the Starbucks rendezvous point. I saw no signs for an Allred volunteer meet-up. I sat and waited at a table. Then I noticed a couple of young men on the sidewalk with a table. No sign! But, sure enough that was it.
They were brusque, disinterested and pretty clueless. I told them that I would not go into this neighborhood without a buddy (as Beto does on his door knocks). Their answer to that was to try and instruct me in the VAN app. I already had VAN on my phone and I already knew how to use it. But, it took three tries before they stopped assuming I was asking for help with the app. I finally had to say "look this neighborhood is sketchy - if you want me to do this then someone must accompany me".
So, very begrudingly one young man got in my car and away we went. I drove the route and we bickered the whole way like a cop-buddy movie. I found out this kid didn't really know anything about the local political process or scene. He was a college kid from California picking up some extra cash. There was all kinds of specific Tarrant county voting information I could have given the people, but instead the process was to just shove generic national voting literature at them and move on.
This was a working-class neighborhood. So it was Trump signs and pit bulls, not that there is anything wrong with that. But, the neighborhood required caution. We knocked on the door of those who had voted Democrat in the past. I told him we needed to be careful because we were going to out them to their neighbors as Democrats. I think we did out a member of a few households to their family members as having voted Democrat in the past. That means they were probably prevented from doing it again in this election.
Finally, I am a sixty something native Texan from rural Texas. I know a wife-beater when I see one. This guy had a fashie hair cut and other outward signs of that kind of young, male Republican. There is no doubt we outed his young wife. When he declined to let her come to the door and basically exuded hostility, I would have made up some excuse and backed away without revealing who we were. As we walked away from the house, at least the kid envinced some awareness of what was probably going down. We agreed that I would do the talking as I am fluent in Texas and he had some kind of California accent.
When we finished, we accomplished nothing. Most of the Democrats that talked to were enthusiastic and happy to see us, but the majority had already early voted. We probably lost more votes on this trip than we gained.
I came home and told my husband that Allred is going to lose. I also started getting a bad feeling about how the entire election was going to go - and I was right.
Sounds familiar. No candidate has any business hiring out of state organizers. Many of them are here for the money and nothing else. We need organizers dedicated to the candidate.
Yep. I'm really disappointed. Friends in local Democratic groups have said the same thing. They begged him to come to their rural communities and he "ghosted" them. He also got fewer votes than Beto--so no more money to Colin.
I would vote for Allred if he is the nominee but like most Texans we do not want him to run. By doing so he forces the other candidates to spend more money and have less for the general election. My reasons are more personal, having unanswered calls or emals in all phases. And having volunteered in the past and being treated poorly, etc
I could not agree More with these sentiments. I’m the president of Richardson Area Democrats (RAD!) and we meet monthly (at least) … over the last 6 years, his office was Walking Distance from where we meet … he NEVER SHOWED UP. We invited him so many times. In ‘22 he came to a zoom meeting. I could go down your list and say, us TOO! We asked for yard signs and got nothing, so we made hundreds FOR him. Still no response. I am actively telling my community to not donate to him. We deserve better - TEXAS deserves someone who shows up.
At first glance I was over the constant Ted Cruz talk from Allred. I wanted to hear more. However, after seeking it out, I found that the man was actually a Civil Rights attorney and had plenty more to say. It was also stated his approach to the run was to not scare off on the fence voters. However, after reading many of your comments it's no mystery why you all didn't vote for him last time. I also, specifically recall the writer of this article stating not giving support for him due to Allred not asking for it written on her platform. Wolves in sheeps clothing.
I’m a plugged in Precinct Chair and activist. You have just stated the universal reaction to him running again and by all the grassroots folks who felt betrayed, and I know that’s a strong word, but it’s exactly how we felt, by him. I’ve stopped any solicitations from his campaign via text or email and I am actively working to support any other candidate besides him. His campaign was a disaster and we won’t have anything to do with him. Check out Terry Virts.
You are correct. I have other issues in addition to these.
I don’t know who’d win if it ended up a 4 way brawl between many candidates only assuming, but a lot are assuming Beto would not run for AG, Gov, or Lt Gov and for Sen too quickly— I don’t think he’s eyeing it alone, Cornyn is in trouble in his primary vs Paxton, we’ll see but I’m getting a feeling he’s not eyeing it as he had Castro & Talarico with him at the Town Hall so they’re probably working a plan out with those three.
There was no split ticketing in 2022, Dems, basically everyone who broke for Abbott did so for Patrick and Paxton still won by 9.8% anyway so 1.1% not doing so is irrelevant.
In 2024, a little though very negligible as well, but Cruz still did better than in 2018 by over 5% and won by >8% as opposed to his narrow win of 2.6% in the prior cycle (2014, he won by 14%), it’s not going to be that divergent from top of ticket period so everyone wagering, “Oh, if we could just take out the weakest one…” Nope, it’s not going to be that easy, the good old boys club protects each other there.
Abbott has to lose for the rest to lose, going to keep saying it, they all might want to consider picking the easiest fight right now is still a loss if the strongest Rep wins on top again regardless- they can’t dodge him, period.
I think Beto is still mulling it over, in private, but Governor is where he should still opt for— Greg would not lose to any generic Dem, period, if he does.
#JamesTalaricoForSenate
He’s the GUY that can defeat Cornyn OR Paxton.
Beto needs to run for Governor, still agree.
Senate isn’t the race for him, that can afford to be a neophyte who has never been vetted but the top of ticket can’t in Talarico who is his understudy basically.
Castro running for AG makes sense, to me.
Allred, trying a Senate bid, he’s free to do so but he and Talarico will probably challenge each other so we’ll see there.
No one wants Abbott, for obvious reasons, but O’Rourke is the only Dem he could lose to— needs to think about it, long and hard, Beto is clearly GOING to run for something + is teasing just to keep people guessing intentionally but I don’t think he’s aiming for the Senate either.
Dems don’t have anyone for Lt Gov in mind either, right now, like Patrick needs a challenger too- they better figure it out in TX, truly.
I believe Beto is aiming at Rematching Abbott. The Senate has gotten overcrowded with Allred, and very likely Talarico. Abbott’s approval ratings are getting worse and worse, he’s losing support even in the RGV and Texas Farmers are abandoning MAGA.
Agree with all of this. If we're playing repeats, I'd prefer Beto and his more progressive policies and actual history of public service to the Texas people. Not saying he should run. He's tried that twice now. But Colin is not it.
I think he should still think about running regardless, fact is no Dem has won in Texas in 30+ years so a repeat is okay anyway even from Allred (not saying he’d win, he did substantially worse than O’Rourke in 2024 for one thing notably in 2018 objectively) in this case since Texas has no Dem victorious to date since 1990 at any level, point me to one and there is none— but I will say imo not for Sen, I still say Dems have to field their strongest candidate to date if they want Abbott gone from the Gov mansion.
Abbott is keeping the state Red specifically, repeatedly, add to that it’s been lost for POTUS too repeatedly: Harris lost the state, Clinton lost the state, Biden lost the state, Obama lost the state…no one’s won, no one, the real question is why did Cruz almost lose in 2018? His opponent obviously, as he should’ve run away with it easily when his approval was 52% back then in the CNN exit polls in Texas: he’s a Republican in a state that loves Republicans, simple. The media can make up narratives, doesn’t make them true, people bought them too easily: the Graham of Texas, SC loves Graham too no matter what Dems think of him.
Field the strongest Dem in the state on top of the ticket for Gov, if he runs, simply put: Beto, Colin, James T, and Joaquin C all going at each others throats for a Sen bid will end up a disaster, which is why I don’t think it would happen— they’ve got to be strategic.
.
I think that James Talarico would win. He's put himself at the fore front of the fights in Austin whether it's vouchers or the Ten Commandments.
Of course I will support Talarico no matter what he decides. But, I feel like he can do more good in the Texas Legislature. Replacing Dan Patrick with him would do so much to moderate Republicans and push Democrats' progressive agenda to help people here right now. It would be very fine if Talarico and other Democrats could take back some power at the legislature and nix these destructive vouchers. He can't do that as a Senator. And, really a Blue Texas helps national Democrats greatly.
I don't have strong feelings about who to run for Senator. But, I am tired of Democrats being unable to mount a strong challenge to local Republicans like Patrick. Patrick has been utterly destructive in that position.
This is correct. Thank you for confirming the conclusion I drew from watching Allred's campaign. He was coming across in ads exactly as you say. I signed up to door knock in my area anyway because we had to win, dadgummit. Since I'm still bitter about it, I am going to tell my story about volunteering to door knock for Allred.
It was very close to the election. It was hot and 5pm, one of the most intense times of day for heat here in the metroplex. I got to the Starbucks rendezvous point. I saw no signs for an Allred volunteer meet-up. I sat and waited at a table. Then I noticed a couple of young men on the sidewalk with a table. No sign! But, sure enough that was it.
They were brusque, disinterested and pretty clueless. I told them that I would not go into this neighborhood without a buddy (as Beto does on his door knocks). Their answer to that was to try and instruct me in the VAN app. I already had VAN on my phone and I already knew how to use it. But, it took three tries before they stopped assuming I was asking for help with the app. I finally had to say "look this neighborhood is sketchy - if you want me to do this then someone must accompany me".
So, very begrudingly one young man got in my car and away we went. I drove the route and we bickered the whole way like a cop-buddy movie. I found out this kid didn't really know anything about the local political process or scene. He was a college kid from California picking up some extra cash. There was all kinds of specific Tarrant county voting information I could have given the people, but instead the process was to just shove generic national voting literature at them and move on.
This was a working-class neighborhood. So it was Trump signs and pit bulls, not that there is anything wrong with that. But, the neighborhood required caution. We knocked on the door of those who had voted Democrat in the past. I told him we needed to be careful because we were going to out them to their neighbors as Democrats. I think we did out a member of a few households to their family members as having voted Democrat in the past. That means they were probably prevented from doing it again in this election.
Finally, I am a sixty something native Texan from rural Texas. I know a wife-beater when I see one. This guy had a fashie hair cut and other outward signs of that kind of young, male Republican. There is no doubt we outed his young wife. When he declined to let her come to the door and basically exuded hostility, I would have made up some excuse and backed away without revealing who we were. As we walked away from the house, at least the kid envinced some awareness of what was probably going down. We agreed that I would do the talking as I am fluent in Texas and he had some kind of California accent.
When we finished, we accomplished nothing. Most of the Democrats that talked to were enthusiastic and happy to see us, but the majority had already early voted. We probably lost more votes on this trip than we gained.
I came home and told my husband that Allred is going to lose. I also started getting a bad feeling about how the entire election was going to go - and I was right.
Sounds familiar. No candidate has any business hiring out of state organizers. Many of them are here for the money and nothing else. We need organizers dedicated to the candidate.
He also threw trans people under the bus in response to a negative ad from Cruz. That pissed me off permanently.
Thank you for posting this. I've been getting texts already about funding and was wondering why he was running again.
The day Allred announced, I got two text messages from him asking for money. Nope.
THIS!
Yes!!! THANK YOU for using your platform to say this.
Yep. I'm really disappointed. Friends in local Democratic groups have said the same thing. They begged him to come to their rural communities and he "ghosted" them. He also got fewer votes than Beto--so no more money to Colin.
I love this! Just how I feel. I keep sending his request for money to junk mail/text. Next I will say Stop!
I can’t wait to see who else will run. I think we have 3. How many more will we get before a great one comes around.
So I’ve gotten outreach from at least one other. A Terry Virts? Who are the moms backing?
I agree that Colin ran a shit campaign.
Not him.
Say more please?
I would vote for Allred if he is the nominee but like most Texans we do not want him to run. By doing so he forces the other candidates to spend more money and have less for the general election. My reasons are more personal, having unanswered calls or emals in all phases. And having volunteered in the past and being treated poorly, etc
I thought you meant no to this guy Virts. I know nothing about him.
Agree with you that Colin ran an extremely poor campaign. I was very disappointed.
oh wow. can we get james talrico? i voted for allred because he was not Tc, but yes, we need a better candidate.
I could not agree More with these sentiments. I’m the president of Richardson Area Democrats (RAD!) and we meet monthly (at least) … over the last 6 years, his office was Walking Distance from where we meet … he NEVER SHOWED UP. We invited him so many times. In ‘22 he came to a zoom meeting. I could go down your list and say, us TOO! We asked for yard signs and got nothing, so we made hundreds FOR him. Still no response. I am actively telling my community to not donate to him. We deserve better - TEXAS deserves someone who shows up.
At first glance I was over the constant Ted Cruz talk from Allred. I wanted to hear more. However, after seeking it out, I found that the man was actually a Civil Rights attorney and had plenty more to say. It was also stated his approach to the run was to not scare off on the fence voters. However, after reading many of your comments it's no mystery why you all didn't vote for him last time. I also, specifically recall the writer of this article stating not giving support for him due to Allred not asking for it written on her platform. Wolves in sheeps clothing.