In Texas, early voting is underway. The state’s tight race for the U.S. Senate will ultimately help decide the balance of power in Washington.
Transcription
SACHA PFEIFFER, HOST:
Meanwhile, in Texas, midterm early voting is underway. Candidates in the U.S. Senate race are engaged in a tight race that could help determine the balance of power in Washington. Texas Newsroom’s Blaise Gainey brings us this report.
BLAISE GAINEY, BYLINE: Cars are parallel parked on either side of Austin Energy headquarters on a Friday morning. The bike shed is almost full and people are entering the building to vote. Miryam Miller exits. Before leaving, she stops and talks to me. She says she just voted for Democratic U.S. Senate candidate James Talarico, a choice she said was based on his character.
MIRYAM MILLER: Yes, we always try to find a good vote for honorable people. We really think Talarico is that person who, again, can move us forward and promote positive change that we absolutely need.
GAINEY: Miles away, in Corpus Christi, a coastal city in South Texas, is Republican voter Greg Graves. He told KEDT that he initially supported Sen. John Cornyn in the Republican Senate primary, but could now vote for the winner of that contest, Attorney General Ken Paxton.
GREG GRAVES: Paxton was selected as our candidate, and I support him 100%, as I would any other candidate.
GAINEY: He says Paxton’s tattered past was originally the reason he chose not to vote for him, but he says he’s since put that aside.
GRAVES: Although Paxton has some baggage, but tell me a politician that’s not the case. And he did a great job as AG for the state of Texas. He is there to protect our values. And we appreciate him for it.
GAINEY: Back in Austin, Talarico voter Benjamin Mercado sees Paxton’s record differently.
BENJAMIN MERCADO: It’s difficult to justify Paxton on any grounds – politically and ethically.
GAINEY: In 2023, Paxton was impeached by House Republicans in the Texas Legislature over corruption allegations, then acquitted by the state Senate. At the same time, he was under investigation by the Justice Department after top aides accused him of corruption and using his office to benefit political allies. Federal prosecutors ultimately decided not to file charges.
In Richmond, a suburb outside Houston, Terrance McPeters told Houston Public Media that although Talarico and Paxton were both Christians, he believed Paxton would best protect his values.
TERRANCE MCPETERS: You know, keeping prayer in homes – I really feel strongly about that. I think it’s very important. Continue prayer in schools, putting God first.
GAINEY: Back at the early voting site in Austin, Alexis Dorn voted for Talarico.
ALEXIS DORN: I’m excited, but I’m trying not to get my hopes up. I was really excited about Beto, so I’m just going to try to keep it cool (laughs).
GAINEY: Democrats once hoped for a blue wave in Texas only to see a mirage. It’s been more than 30 years since Democrats won statewide elections. For NPR News, I’m Blaise Gainey in Austin, Texas.
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