Voters across Texas are casting ballots in runoff elections for 38 seats, ranging from U.S. Senate to the State Board of Education.

Polls are open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.

The Republican runoff between incumbent U.S. Sen. John Cornyn and Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton received additional attention last week when President Donald Trump endorsed Paxton.

Cal Jillson, a political science professor at Southern Methodist University, said Paxton was already leading Cornyn in the polls when Trump made the endorsement.

“He didn't want to back someone who might not win,” Jillson said. “So once it became clear Paxton had emerged in the lead, I think he was thrilled to endorse him because he didn't really trust Cornyn. Cornyn's sort of a classic United States senator.”

Republican candidates in Kentucky and Louisiana have both won runoff elections after receiving support from Trump.

The winner of the Texas Republican runoff will face Democratic state Rep. James Talarico of Austin in the November general election.

Jillson said Democrats would rather see Talarico face Paxton because of the attorney general’s legal troubles. Paxton was indicted on securities fraud charges in 2015 and impeached in 2023.

But Jillson said no matter who wins the runoff, Talarico will have to run a clean campaign.

“He’s never been in a race this big, this much money going into it,” Jillson said. “Spotlight will be on him, so if he goes from wire to wire without making a mistake and runs a good, strong campaign, then it's not inconceivable that he might win.”

No Democrat has won a statewide election in Texas since 1994.

Jillson said that despite redistricting, he predicts Republicans will lose control of the House and possibly the Senate.

“The races that Democrats are looking to pick up are North Carolina, Maine, Ohio and Alaska,” Jillson said. “And then if they took Texas, that would be icing on the cake.”

Source: Public News Service