Overview
- Texas Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick told a conservative policy summit that Republicans will have a tough time holding their state House majority this fall.
- He urged the loser of the May 26 runoff between John Cornyn and Ken Paxton to endorse the winner to prevent a vote drop that could help Democrat James Talarico take the U.S. Senate seat.
- Patrick said a GOP loss of the Senate seat would lock in Democratic control of the chamber in Washington.
- He argued the Texas Senate looks secure but said Cornyn and Paxton must help down-ballot House candidates.
- Republicans hold 88 of 150 House seats as Democrats look for 14 flips, a target Patrick tied to 2018 gains and a recent special election where a Democrat carried a strongly Republican district.