Ex-GOP aide predicts 'perfect storm' for Dems to capture 'white whale' state in midterms

Former Republican strategist turned anti-Trump crusader Kurt Bardella flagged an opening for Democrats in Texas — a place they have tried to compete for decades but has always been out of their reach.

This comes as Democratic primary turnout surges in the state, driven by a competitive contest between Dallas-area Congresswoman Jasmine Crockett and Austin-area state Rep. James Talarico — and as the GOP primary descends into anarchy.

"You know Texas politics well," MS NOW's Jonathan Lemire told Bardella. "There's a sense here thatCornyn's in some trouble on theRepublican side, and we know the Lone Star State is sort ofis the, the white whale, I guess,for Democrats. They feel like,oh, we could do it this time, we could do it. They've alwaysfallen short. In fact, in '24,gave up some of the progressthey made in previous cycles.But here we are yet again. Somehope, particularly if there's ablue wave."

"Yeah, I live in Dallas andit's been interesting," said Bardella. "This hasbeen getting so much chatterand it's really all over. We'reseeing major turnout atpolitical rallies, enthusiasmthat we haven't seen." He noted that both Talarico and Crockett are blitzing the state with "packed rallies" and advertisements galore.

Meanwhile, he said, "There's this feelingwith Cornyn and Paxton thatPaxton just has this race, youknow, lined up. Cornyn has notbeen able to make a dent on hissizable lead throughout theentire campaign, in spite ofsome personal issues coming outon Paxton that are negative forsomeone like Cornyn, who's beenan institution in Texaspolitics for so long, he's beenan institution in the U.S. Senate,ran the NRSC, to be in thisposition in a primary and forthe president to sit it out,basically and not endorse ispretty telling and revealingabout the president thinking hecan't get the job done. Paxton is going to win."

All of this, he said, adds up to a "perfect storm" for Democrats, if their nominee can run a strong campaign that turns out young and minority voters. "That could be the right recipeto finally capture the whitewhale and make ground in Texas."

"And Democrats do realize thatno matter what happens in thiselection, the way that thedemographics are going in thiscountry, the way thatredistricting is going tohappen in 2030, they're goingto have to start competing andinvest resources in places likeTexas ... to try to makeground in areas that they aregoing to lose ground, they'regoing to lose seats inCalifornia. Republicans aregoing to gain seats in Floridaafter the next reapportionment," Bardella added.

"They have to start playing inthis part of the country," he said. "Sothe money spent here, even ifthey don't get the job done,they understand they need tostart doing the resources herein order to be competitive infuture elections as well."

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