A new poll has given Democrats a boost in their quest to win control of the US Senate, showing Texas Democratic candidate James Talarico leading two potential Republican opponents in hypothetical head-to-head matchups.
The Texas Public Opinion Research (TPOR) survey of 1,018 likely voters puts Talarico, a state legislator, three points ahead of incumbent Republican Senator John Cornyn, 44% to 41%. Talarico also leads Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton by five points, 46% to 41%.
Cornyn and Paxton face each other in a primary runoff on 26 May to determine who will appear on November's ballot. Both have sought the endorsement of Donald Trump, but the former president has so far declined to back either, calling both 'electable' and 'great people'.
Talarico, a former seminarian who blends Christian values with progressive policies, draws strong support from Black, Latino, and college-educated voters, as well as moderates and independents, according to the poll.
Democrats need a net gain of four seats in the 100-seat Senate to retake control, where Republicans currently hold a 53-47 advantage. Recent polls suggest the party has a fighting chance, though retaking the Senate is seen as a tougher challenge than winning the House.
