The Powers That Be: Daily The G.O.P.’s ’26 Brain Transplant
Mar 26, 2026
Abby Livingston, a Texas politics reporter, analyzes California and Texas statewide races. She explains how a crowded Democratic field in California could split votes and let two Republicans advance. In Texas she breaks down a bruising GOP Senate runoff, Trump’s withheld endorsement, and the national stakes of nasty, expensive fights.
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Crowded Democratic Field Could Let Two Republicans Advance
- California's jungle primary risks two Republicans advancing because the crowded Democratic field splits votes.
- Multiple low-single-digit Democrats plus two consolidating GOP candidates (Chad Bianco and Steve Hilton) push Republicans to lead polls temporarily.
No Party Machine To Clear California's Field
- California lacks a single dominant Democratic machine to clear the field, leaving many 'JV' candidates clustered around ~10% in polls.
- Statewide scale plus expensive media buys favor famous or self-funding entrants like Tom Steyer.
Build A Statewide Brand Before Running Big
- Build statewide recognition from a smaller office over time or self-fund massively to compensate for California's scale.
- Peter Hamby contrasts lieutenant governor/DA paths and billionaires like Tom Steyer as alternatives.
