After ousting Texas Republicans John Culberson and Pete Sessions from Congress last year, Democrats look to expand their reach in the Lone Star State in 2020.
Representatives Michael McCaul, Kenny Marchant and Will Hurd -- all represent districts where Ted Cruz lost to Beto O'Rourke – and find themselves in the cross hairs.
“That idea that the suburbs have traditionally been Republican but in 2018 trended Democrat, the thinking is that may continue in 2020,” says Cal Jillson, political science professor at Southern Methodist University.
“The McCaul and Chip Roy seat in the mid-state area in Central Texas are all Democratic targets,” he says. “But they're a little bit more difficult than the seats Democrats won in 2018.”
Jillson considers Culberson and Sessions low-hanging fruit, so Democrats will have to worker harder and smarter next year.
“The people who lost narrowly in 2018 learned how to campaign in that district and might run again in 2020,” he says. “They will receive Democratic support nationally if they do decide to try it again.”
Independents so far are siding with Democrats, but voter turnout could make the difference again next year.