Ted Cruz, speaking on Sean Hannity’s radio show, warned that Democratic state Rep. James Talarico has a legitimate shot at flipping Texas’ U.S. Senate seat in the 2026 midterms.

Close Race Ahead

Cruz called Talarico “radical” and “extreme” for his views, including labeling God as nonbinary and supporting pediatric gender treatments. Recent public polling has shown Talarico running neck and neck with the GOP nominee, Attorney General Ken Paxton.

Gov. Greg Abbott, who guest hosted the radio show, was more optimistic, saying that Talarico would be “very beatable” once Texans get to know him. Abbott has trained his early fire on Talarico, repeatedly calling him “Jimmy Talarico” while ignoring his actual opponent, state Rep. Gina Hinojosa.

National Republican Senatorial Committee Chair Tim Scott also appeared on the show, likening Talarico’s values to the “amorality” of embattled Maine Senate candidate Graham Platner. Scott warned that Democrats are pushing for socialism and communism.

Cruz and Abbott discussed the recent U.S. Supreme Court decision rejecting President Donald Trump’s executive order banning birthright citizenship. They explored ways to deny visas to pregnant women, with Cruz suggesting that the administration could deny tourist visas to women who are visibly pregnant.

Original reporting: Texas Tribune (HLL/CB) — read the source article.