Texas Primary Echoes a Controversial Netflix Series
Republican candidates for statewide offices in Texas are still repeating Donald Trump's lie that Joe Biden stole the 2020 election. This belief remains a significant factor in maintaining the Republican candidates' chances, especially as polls show a majority of Texas Republicans believe Trump, not Biden, won the election.
In a recent survey by the Texas Politics Project at the University of Texas, 67% of Republican voters in Texas believed Trump was the rightful winner, while 33% of independent voters agreed. Such beliefs have helped some Republican primary candidates, like Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, gain support.
Despite ongoing legal issues, such as allegations of securities fraud from 2015 and accusations of bribery and corruption from former staff, Paxton leads in the race for the Attorney General position. Paxton gained support during the 2020 election when he filed an unsuccessful lawsuit against Biden's win, a move that has been criticized by some but often seen as a positive move by his Trump-supporting base.
Feeling the pressure to win Trump's support, George P. Bush, the land commissioner who is the nephew of former President George W. Bush, has been trying to court Trump despite the former president publicly criticizing the Bush family. Despite these efforts, Trump has yet to publicly declare his support for any candidate in the primary.
In the Republican primary for the U.S. Senate seat held by John Cornyn, the incumbent, there is a race between Cornyn and several other prominent Amarillo-based doctors, with some candidates, like Don Huffines and Allen West, running to Cornyn's right.
The risk for incumbent Governor Greg Abbott is that Trump's support might not be enough to protect him from a runoff election. In the past, voter turnout has been low during the primary election, and this year's early voting has been unusually high in some locations, making Abbott vulnerable to potential attacks.
The growing contention among Republican candidates over pleasing Trump supporters has caused frictions within the party. The ongoing focus on a former president who has left office raises concerns about how much time and energy the Texas Republican party is wasting on appeasing displeased Trump supporters rather than addressing the pressing issues facing the state, such as the closures of rural hospitals, soaring property taxes and homeowners' insurance premiums, book bans, excessive military spending on border security, and the struggling infrastructure.
The Texas Attorney General race also reveals some unexpected twists. Donald Trump has shown support for the current Agriculture Commissioner, Sid Miller, who has been accused of selling marijuana licenses to farmers for exorbitant prices. Miller's political advisor, Todd Smith, faces charges concerning corrupt marijuana dealings, but Miller has denied any involvement and distanced himself from Smith.
The controversies surrounding the primary election have not stopped Miller from being a strong contender in the race, with polls indicating he has a good chance of taking the primary without the need for a runoff election.
The Texas Republican primary season seems to be shaping up like a highly-Engaging Netflix drama series with lots of unexpected twists and turns. But as the primary race unfolds, the question remains whether these contests will ultimately benefit the Republican party, its candidates, and, most importantly, the people of Texas.
Enrichment Insights:
The Trump narrative remains a significant electoral issue in the 2022 Republican primary elections in Texas, particularly in the races for Attorney General and the U.S. Senate. Here are some insights into the ongoing primary races:
- Trump's Endorsements Matter: While Trump has not yet made any official endorsements, his blessing has often played a deciding role in Republican primary elections in Texas. Past examples have shown how giving Tump's approval can sway voters and secure endorsements from other influential figures within the party. (source: 1)
- Ken Paxton's Strong Connection to Trump: Attorney General Ken Paxton has built a strong relationship with Trump in the past, making him Trump's most likely endorser if he were to make one in this race. Paxton has been a vocal supporter of Trump's agenda, including joining efforts to challenge Biden's election wins, which Republican voters have appreciated. (source: 1)
- John Cornyn's Challenges: Senator John Cornyn is facing a tough primary challenge due to his declining popularity among Republican voters, mainly due to his past criticisms of Trump and concerns about possible federal indictments. However, Cornyn has a slight lead at 62% when considering likely primary voters, and also benefits from a higher approval rating than Paxton, who polls at 60%. (source: 3)
- The Polling Landscape in the U.S. Senate Race: The poll data indicates Cornyn has a slight advantage over other contenders, but the race remains tight. If Trump were to endorse Paxton, it could substantially impact the primary race. (source: 3)
These insights suggest that the potential endorsement of Trump could be a game-changer in the upcoming primary, particularly in the races for the Attorney General and U.S. Senate positions.
