The nonpartisan Cook Political Report changed its rating of the 2026 Texas Senate race from “solid Republican” to “likely Republican” this week as the contentious GOP primary between incumbent Sen. John Cornyn and state Attorney General Ken Paxton rages on.

The party is weighing its options for battling the GOP-led effort to redraw congressional boundaries ahead of the 2026 midterms.

President Donald Trump pitched a key group of Texas Republicans Tuesday on his strategy for his party to hold onto power in the midterms: Redrawing those members’ districts to allow for even more GOP seats.

Texas Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick poses for photos with supporters during the first day of the Republican Party of Texas convention at George R. Brown Convention Center on June 15 in Houston.

Actually derailing the redistricting effort, which was one of nearly 20 items added to the special session agenda by Gov. Greg Abbott, would be a herculean lift fraught with risk for legislative Democrats. Delaying the process with a walkout would require strong participation by most of the party's caucus, and could carry steep financial costs.