Republicans are facing an unexpectedly tough battle in Texas as Democrats seek major gains in the 2026 US midterm elections. The biggest contest is the Senate race between Democrat James Talarico and Republican Ken Paxton. Talarico hopes to become the first Democrat elected to the US Senate from Texas since 1988. With immigration, rising living costs and Donald Trump's policies shaping the campaign, can Democrats break the Republicans' decades-long dominance in Texas? PRESENTER: Alex Marquardt GUESTS: Jennifer Fleck: Chair, Travis County Republican Party Joe Cascino: Democratic political strategist Subscribe to our channel: http://bit.ly/AJSubscribe Follow us on X: https://X.com/AJEnglish Find us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/aljazeera Check our website: http://www.aljazeera.com/ Check out our Instagram page: https://www.instagram.com/aljazeeraenglish/ Download AJE Mobile App: https://aje.news/AJEMobile #TexasMidterms #Midterms2026 #TexasElection2026 #TexasSenateRace #JamesTalarico #KenPaxton #TexasDemocrats #TexasRepublicans #DonaldTrump #GregAbbott #GinaHinojosa #USElections