Former White House strategist Steve Bannon predicted Wednesday that Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton (R) will prevail over state Rep. James Talarico (D-Texas) in the race to succeed Sen. John Cornyn (R-Texas), but cautioned that the contest will be an uphill battle for the GOP nominee.
“I just don’t know if Texas is ready to vote in the United States Senate, a guy that looks like he plays with dolls. I just don’t think that’s going to happen,” Bannon said on his “Bannon’s War Room” podcast, referring to Talarico.
Bannon added, “I told Politico last night, I think it’s a five-plus win, but it’s going to be very tough, and the Democrats are going to put in hundreds of millions of dollars.”
Paxton ousted Cornyn in Tuesday’s GOP runoff with an endorsement from former President Donald Trump, ending Cornyn’s 24-year congressional career. Bannon described Paxton’s general election fight as a “total grind.”
Democrats are cautiously optimistic about Talarico’s chances, despite Texas not electing a Democratic senator since 1988. A poll from the Barbara Jordan Institute for Policy Research at Texas Southern University showed the two candidates tied at 45 percent among registered voters. The Cook Political Report shifted its rating from “likely Republican” to “lean Republican” after the runoff.
Trump, however, remains confident in Paxton’s victory. “John will remain my friend for a long time to come, as we both watch Ken become a fantastic, common sense Senator, one who is respected by all. His opponent, Alfred E. Neuman, may be the worst TEXAS candidate I have ever seen,” Trump posted on Truth Social, referencing Talarico.
Talarico has acknowledged past missteps, including admitting that some of his “cringey” woke comments were a mistake. Meanwhile, Senate Majority Leader John Thune has urged Republicans to unite behind Paxton after the primary upset. Talarico has claimed that Trump supporters are quietly defecting in the Senate race, a claim that remains unsubstantiated.
The race is shaping up to be one of the most closely watched in the country, with national implications for the balance of power in the Senate. Bannon’s comments underscore the high stakes and the challenges both candidates face in a deeply polarized political environment.
