The Brian Lehrer Show The Midterms Begin
Mar 4, 2026
Lisa Lerer, national political correspondent for The New York Times and co-author of The Fall of Roe, The Rise of a New America, breaks down the midterm primary shakeups. She explores Tallarico’s coalition-building, turnout surges among young and independent voters, Republican runoffs and MAGA dynamics, North Carolina’s affordability messaging, and how voting‑rules disputes risk eroding trust.
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Tallarico's Moderate Appeal Shifted The Primary Dynamic
- James Tallarico positioned himself as a Democrat appealing to moderates and disaffected Trump voters by emphasizing progressive Christianity over attacking Trump directly.
- High turnout in the Texas Democratic primary, including young voters and independents, suggests his coalition blended new Democratic energy with crossover voters in key Latino areas.
Record Primary Turnout Clouds Who Drove The Result
- Record early and election-day turnout in the Texas Democratic primary makes it hard to know if Tallarico expanded the electorate or merely energized the base in a high-profile contest against Jasmine Crockett.
- Turnout spikes in heavily Latino border areas and among young voters indicate participation shifts that could matter in the general election if sustained.
Anti-Trump Energy Could Lift Democrats If Republicans Stay Home
- Democratic enthusiasm may be driven by anti-Trump sentiment and voters unhappy with the president's priorities, which could boost turnout for Democrats in November.
- The key question is whether 2024 Trump voters will turn out at the same rate to support local Republicans.
