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Ted Cruz warns Talarico has “real chance” to flip Texas’ U.S. Senate seat
By By Renzo Downey The Texas Tribune at Denton Record-Chronicle
· July 9, 2026
· 1 min read
Calling in to Sean Hannity’s radio show Wednesday, U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz offered a blunt warning cry to his party: Democratic state Rep. James Talarico has a legitimate shot at flipping Texas this year.
Key takeaway Ted Cruz offered a blunt warning cry to his party: Democratic state Rep.
Why this matters in Denton News
The prospect of James Talarico flipping Texas' U.S. Senate seat has significant implications for Denton County, where voters have been trending more liberal in recent elections. As a Democratic state representative, Talarico's potential candidacy could galvanize local support, particularly among the county's growing population of young professionals and students. Denton's own electoral history suggests that voters are open to supporting Democratic candidates, especially in statewide races. If Talarico's campaign gains momentum, it could lead to increased voter turnout in Denton County, potentially affecting down-ballot races and local elections. The county's Democratic party infrastructure, which has been building steam in recent years, may play a crucial role in mobilizing support for Talarico's campaign, making Denton a key battleground in the upcoming election.
About this story
Original reporting by Denton Record-Chronicle . Denton News surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
For the complete original report, visit Denton Record-Chronicle . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: local ·
Published: July 9, 2026 ·
Source: Denton Record-Chronicle ·
Reading time: 1 min
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Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? Calling in to Sean Hannity’s radio show Wednesday, U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz offered a blunt warning cry to his party: Democratic state Rep. James Talarico has a legitimate shot at flipping Texas this year.
When was this published? This article was first published on July 9, 2026 by Denton Record-Chronicle and curated for Denton News readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by By Renzo Downey The Texas Tribune at Denton Record-Chronicle. To learn more about how Denton News selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more local coverage from Denton News, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
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