Rep. Joaquin Castro (D-TX) is making a bold prediction: Democrats will win in the midterms because President Donald Trump “is not popular in Texas.”
In an interview on Thursday’s broadcast of MSNBC’s “State of Play,” Castro argued that Texans are fed up with the current political establishment, both in Washington and in Austin, and that dissatisfaction with Trump is creating an opening for Democratic candidates in a state that hasn’t elected a Democrat to the Senate since 1988.
Host Peter Alexander put the challenge bluntly, comparing the Democratic effort to turn Texas blue to “Charlie Brown and the football.” He asked Castro why this year should be any different.
Castro’s answer was direct: Texans have had enough.
“They’ve had enough of the corruption,” Castro said, pointing to Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton as a prime example. “You’re talking about probably the most corrupt politician, not only in Texas, but in America.”
Castro also cited economic pain, saying Texans are suffering from “gas prices going through the roof, grocery prices going through the roof,” and that this administration — both at the federal and state level — is “literally doing nothing about it.”
The congressman pointed to Trump’s unpopularity as a key factor, arguing the president is “under water” in Texas. According to Castro, Trump has alienated key constituencies by “betraying farmers, betraying cattle ranchers, and betraying all Texans by bulldozing Big Bend.”
That dissatisfaction, Castro argued, is what gives Democratic candidates like Gina Hinojos and James Talarico a real fighting chance in their respective races. Hinojos is challenging Republican Gov. Greg Abbott, and Talarico is in a “toss up” race against Paxton for attorney general.
“That’s part of the reason, beside the fact that they’re great candidates, that’s part of the reason Gina Hinojos has a fighting chance to beat Greg Abbott,” Castro said. “It’s why James Talarico is in a toss up race with Ken Paxton, because all Texans have had enough. They’re ready to move past this era of corruption.”
Republicans have long dominated statewide elections in Texas, and Democrats have poured resources into trying to flip the state during recent cycles, only to fall short. But Castro’s comments reflect a growing Democratic hope that Trump’s policies—particularly his handling of trade and the environment—have created a unique opening in a state that has not gone blue in a presidential race since 1976.
The reference to “bulldozing Big Bend” appears to refer to the administration’s moves to open up protected lands, including Big Bend National Park, to development or energy exploration—a decision that sparked controversy among environmentalists and some local communities.
Castro’s remarks also highlight the broader national battle over the midterms, with Democrats trying to tie GOP candidates to Trump as they seek to overcome historical headwinds in a president’s first midterm cycle.
Whether Texas truly is in play remains to be seen, but Castro’s confidence suggests that Democrats see an opportunity they haven’t had in decades. As he put it, Texans are “ready to move past this era of corruption.”
Source: www.breitbart.com — https://www.breitbart.com/clips/2026/08/27/rep-castro-dems-will-win-because-trump-is-not-popular-in-texas/