Story perspectives

Texas Senate Runoff: Trump’s Influence Amid Rising Gas Prices

3/7/2026

Center

Trump's Endorsement Impact

John Cornyn (R-Texas) and Ken Paxton (R-Texas) head to a runoff in the Texas U.S. Senate primary as U.S. President Donald Trump seeks endorsement.
Trump remains influential in Republican politics despite declining approval ratings.
Jasmine Crockett (D-Texas) and James Talarico (D-Texas) competed in the Senate primary, and Talarico won.
As midterms approach, rising gas prices tied to the U.S.-Iran conflict strain voters' budgets and may affect choices.

Right

Newsom Critiques Trump

Gavin Newsom, California's governor, criticized U.S. President Donald Trump late at night, predicting a Republican midterm loss due to Trump's unpopularity.
He urged Democrats to pursue tougher strategies, citing Proposition 50 for redistricting to gain seats.
Newsom warned of high stakes, linking Trump to threats against democracy, including January 6, 2021 riot.
Trump focuses on Iran military actions, while the administration says the economy is improving despite voter concerns.

History

Historical Context

In the 1964 presidential election, held on November 3, President Lyndon B. Johnson won a historic 61.1% of the popular vote against Barry Goldwater, marking a pivotal moment in U.S. politics. Johnson's victory, bolstered by the Civil Rights Act of 1964, reshaped party dynamics, as Goldwater's defeat laid groundwork for the conservative movement that would culminate in Ronald Reagan's presidency in the 1980s.

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Trump's Endorsement Impact

John Cornyn (R-Texas) and Ken Paxton (R-Texas) head to a runoff in the Texas U.S. Senate primary as U.S. President Donald Trump seeks endorsement.
Trump remains influential in Republican politics despite declining approval ratings.
Jasmine Crockett (D-Texas) and James Talarico (D-Texas) competed in the Senate primary, and Talarico won.
As midterms approach, rising gas prices tied to the U.S.-Iran conflict strain voters' budgets and may affect choices.

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