Democrats Target Key Texas and National Seats in 2026 Midterms

The Democratic Party is pursuing a strategy to flip the U.S. House and Senate in the 2026 midterm elections, aiming to gain three House seats and four Senate seats to limit the policy agenda of President Donald Trump. National efforts are focused on affordability and the president's declining approval ratings amid a war in Iran, with critical Senate races in Maine, Michigan, Ohio, Alaska, North Carolina, and South Carolina.

In Texas, the elections are among the most competitive in years. The Texas Republican Party redrew the congressional map to target Democratic seats in Districts 28, 34, and 35, seeking a net gain of five U.S. House seats. Democratic incumbents Henry Cuellar and Vicente Gonzalez are defending these redrawn districts, while Republican Monica De La Cruz faces a challenge from Bobby Pulido in District 15. South Texas has emerged as a volatile battleground, particularly in majority-Hispanic districts that previously favored Trump.

State-level contests in Texas are equally tight. Democrats need to flip 14 seats to overturn the Republican majority in the Texas House. In the Texas Senate, District 9 in northern Fort Worth is the most competitive race, featuring a rematch between Democratic state Senator Taylor Rehmet and Republican Leigh Wambsganss. Democrats are leveraging the candidacy of U.S. Senate nominee James Talarico and recent special election wins to target GOP-leaning suburban districts and the Rio Grande Valley.