When cowboys fought capitalism
The recent Republican Senate primary in Texas saw Ken Paxton defeat John Cornyn, marking a significant shift in the state's GOP. This change raises questions about the potential for a Democratic resurgence, particularly under the leadership of James Talarico, who advocates for a populist approach. Talarico's challenge will be to connect with working-class voters and learn from successful campaigns that have focused on class issues rather than cultural ones.
- ▪Ken Paxton won the Republican Senate primary, defeating establishment figure John Cornyn.
- ▪James Talarico, a young Democrat, aims to reclaim Texas for his party by embracing its populist roots.
- ▪The Texas GOP has shifted towards a more aggressive, populist stance, moving away from traditional Republican leadership.
Opening excerpt (first ~120 words) tap to expand
When cowboys fought capitalism Talarico should reclaim Texas’s radical roots GOPjames talaricoJohn CornynKen PaxtonPopulismRepublicansSenateSocialismTexasWorking class David Griscom May 28 2026 - 12:00am 7 mins It’s the end of an era in Texas. Tuesday’s Republican Senate primary saw the truculent Attorney General Ken Paxton triumph over establishment stalwart John Cornyn. The Trump-loyal GOP base chose Paxton, notwithstanding his earlier indictment for fraud and his wife’s accusations of adultery. In doing so, voters bucked the likes of Rick Perry, George W. Bush, Phil Gramm, and Karl Rove — the genteel architects of the state’s Republican takeover 30 years ago. That old order has been fully cast aside, and the Texas GOP is a different party today: gruff, angry, pseudo-populist.
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Excerpt limited to ~120 words for fair-use compliance. The full article is at UnHerd.
