TEXAS, USA, 31 May. - (ANA) - Texas's closely watched primary runoff races saw important results that highlight some of the most important issues of 2026—from MAGA to AIPAC to dark money.

 

Everything is bigger in Texas. On Tuesday, the state's closely watched primary runoff races saw important results that highlight some of the most important campaign issues of 2026—from MAGA to AIPAC to dark money.

 

In one of the country's most closely watched races, Ken Paxton, endorsed by US President Donald Trump, won the Republican primary runoff for the US Senate. The president's support gave a boost to faithful followers of the Make America Great Again movement, a shrinking voter base.

 

At the same time, Trump's move—which came after Paxton was already surging in the polls—angered many Republicans, who worry that this could affect their chances of winning in November and possibly cost them their Senate majority. Paxton has faced impeachment by his own party and has been accused of corruption and fraud. 

 

Many Republicans fear that Paxton's win could have given Democrats an opening, as they have chosen James Talarico as their Senate nominee, whose broad appeal puts him ahead of Paxton in a potential matchup.

 

"Paxton's win is an indication of how strong Trump's hold on his base is," David Frank, professor of rhetoric and political communication at the University of Oregon, told The New Arab.

 

"Talarico's campaign is a North Star for the Democratic Party. He's been able to counter the Republicans' culture wars," said Frank, pointing to the party's years-long focus on transgender concerns. "He has been using the bible to talk about social justice and serving people."

 

On the Democratic side, in a high-profile House race, longtime outspoken Trump critic Representative Al Green lost to freshman Representative Christian Menefee. The race between two sitting members of Congress was the result of the Trump-led mid-decade restrictions that have eliminated the majority-Black Democratic districts across the country.

 

Green's loss was celebrated on social media by the American-Israel Public Affairs Committee, which posted on X on Tuesday, "Congratulations Rep. Christian Menefee on your victory tonight over one of the most outspoken anti-Israel voices in Congress."

 

For his part, Menefee has also been critical of Israel's genocidal war on Gaza, though he doesn't have Green's two decades of comments to draw on,

 

In another congressional race, Maureen Galindo, a sex therapist, had made a series of comments considered by many to be antisemitic. In one instance, she suggested that American Zionists be sent to ICE (Immigration and Customs Enforcement) camps. A newly formed PAC (political action committee) called Lead Left injected about $1 million into her campaign.

 

The funding sources of the PAC were not immediately clear. However, it reportedly has ties to Republican funders and has donated to other Democratic primary campaigns to prop up weaker candidates. As the controversy heated up, progressive leader Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez was quick to endorse Galindo's opponent, Johnny Garcia, who won on Tuesday, to the relief of many Democrats.  - (ANA) -

 

AB/ANA/31 May 2026  - - -