House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries is heading to Texas this weekend as Democrats become increasingly confident that GOP-led gerrymandering could backfire in both the Lone Star State and in Florida.
Jeffries will campaign with Johnny Garcia, who’s running a competitive race in one of those seats where Republicans initially expected an easier pickup (after already forcing one longtime Democratic incumbent to retire).
President Donald Trump is also set to visit Florida today and Corpus Christi, Texas, next week, as Republicans make a final push for Florida and Texas seats. Democrats have been heartened by a raft of new polling showing their candidates either leading or running even with Republicans.
Shifts among Latino voters, who represent sizable portions of the electorate in both states, and Trump’s sagging approval rating appear to be driving Democrats’ strength in redder areas.
Bobby Pulido, a Tejano star vying to flip a majority-Hispanic South Texas seat that swung towards the president in 2024, told Semafor there is “buyer’s remorse” among Trump voters.
— Nicholas Wu