Even though the midterms are still over a year away, political 'experts' have already picked the Top 5 Senate races that will likely determine who will hold the majority for Donald Trump's final two years.
And even though Texas became even more red in 2024, incumbent John Cornyn and the battle for his seat with AG Ken Paxton, are in the Top 5.
"Texas ranks among the 4 seats that Democrats need to flip, while defending all of their seats if they're going to take control of the U.S. Senate" said Rice University political science professor, Mark Jones, who notes that Paxton is still up big over Cornyn by double digits.
"Right now we would have to say that Paxton is the favorite in this race, and the longtime incumbent John Cornyn is the underdog" Jones said.
So basically, Texas Republicans really don't seem to like Cornyn, while Democrats really like their chances against Paxton, if he prevails.
"Democratic hopes hinge on the possibility that Republicans nominate a flawed candidate like Ken Paxton, who would be much easier for a Democrat to defeat than someone like the incumbent John Cornyn, or even a third candidate such as Congressman Wesley Hunt were he to run" Jones told KTRH.
At the moment, with Paxton leading Cornyn, Wesley Hunt has yet to announce whether or not he's going to run.
"No Democrat's won statewide here since 1994, but Democrats are hopeful that Texas could conceivably be put into play" noted Jones.
The other 'Top 5' Senate races are expected to be in North Carolina, Georgia, Maine, and Michigan.