Brian Lehrer: A Daily Politics Podcast · WNYC Studios

Texas-sized clues to who will control Congress

March 4, 2026·19 min·1 clip

Republicans are constantly injecting the idea that our election system is broken, putting everyone on guard.

Brian Lehrer analyzes the first major primary results of the midterm election year, focusing on key Senate races in Texas and North Carolina. With New York Times reporter Lisa Lehrer, they dissect the record Democratic turnout in Texas, the contrasting styles of candidates James Tallarico and Jasmine Crockett, and what the results signal for November. The conversation also touches on voting access issues and the national political climate.

As heard by us

A grounded look at Texas primary signals and MAGA splits, with November still unresolved.

It treats Texas as the clearest early signal in this midterm year, with James Tallarico's win over Jasmine Crockett and the John Cornyn-Ken Paxton runoff turning the race into a test of how control of Congress could shift.

Read the full review in PlayNext →

Why you'd press play

Want the clearest Texas clue on how November could play nationally?

Read the full recommendation in PlayNext →

Listen to the show on

Apple Podcasts Spotify

Play clips from this episode More from Brian Lehrer: A Daily Politics Podcast