The Culture War Podcast with Tim Pool Trump Endorsing CORNYN, Texas Is Going BLUE ft. Tony Ortiz
Mar 14, 2026
Tony Ortiz, Texas journalist and founder of Current Revolt, gives on-the-ground analysis of shifting Texas politics. He breaks down why Trump backed Cornyn over Paxton and how electability shaped that choice. They discuss surprising primary turnout where Democrats outvoted Republicans and how redistricting, demographic shifts, and local clans shape results. Practical local organizing and candidate presentation get emphasized.
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Trump Endorses Electability Over Loyalty
- Trump may prioritize electability and Senate math over base preferences when endorsing, explaining support for John Cornyn over Ken Paxton.
- Tony Ortiz explains Democrats view Paxton as the weakest general election candidate and Cornyn as the safer bet to protect Senate majorities.
Democrats Outvoted Republicans In Texas Primary
- More Democrats voted in the Texas primaries than Republicans, flipping turnout by roughly 100,000 votes.
- Ortiz highlights this as a major structural warning sign for Republicans statewide and down-ballot consequences.
Native Texans Move Left While Newcomers Lean Right
- Native-born Texans are trending Democratic while recent in-migrants from other states tend to vote Republican.
- Ortiz and Tate note demographic shifts and redistricting based on a short-lived Hispanic rightward tilt that may now reverse.