Democrats hoping strong turnout spurs them in deep-red Texas
AUSTIN, Texas (AP) — Democrats in deep-red Texas kicked off the nation's 2018 midterm primary elections Tuesday with a surge in turnout, dozens of women seeking office and early signs of midterm anger toward President Donald Trump.
The biggest question as polls closed was whether Texas is just the start of what's to come nationwide. Energized Democrats in Texas appeared poised to show up for a midterm primary in numbers not seen in more than a decade, despite the long odds of ousting Republican U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz in November and other statewide officeholders.
But in an uneasy sign for the GOP with control of Congress on the line this fall, Democrats were winning the early voting turnout battle in Texas — one of the safest turfs for Republicans, who've dominated the nation's biggest conservative state for a quarter-century.
College students waited more than an hour to vote in liberal Austin, far-flung rural counties offered Democratic candidates for the first time in years and a tide of anti-Trump activism helped propel nearly 50 women to make a run for Congress. Many were running in a record eight open congressional races this year in Texas — two of which are up for grabs after longtime GOP incumbents abandoned plans for re-election amid scandal.
Cruz and his Democratic challenger, U.S. Rep. Beto O'Rourke, easily clinched their party nominations for the Senate, while several congressional races packed with candidates were expected to head to May runoffs.
The surge of Democratic voters included some former Republicans switching this cycle, including 61-year-old Sarah Chiodo of Dallas, who said she changed parties after Trump was elected.
"I hope that our political environment changes. I'm not happy with it today," she said after voting at a Dallas church. "I find it very divisive and dividing of many people and negative. So I'm looking to vote for people who are positive who care about all."
https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/politics/texas-may-offer-hints-on-trump-effect-in-2018-midterms/ar-BBJV2Oe?li=BBmkt5R&ocid=spartandhp