Overview

• Virts became the first Democrat to enter the Texas Senate primary when he launched his campaign Monday against incumbent John Cornyn.
• He highlighted his Air Force service beginning at age 17 and his NASA career to underscore his leadership credentials.
• He accused national Democratic leaders of clinging to “the same old bankrupt ideas” instead of learning from 2024’s failures.
• He decried what he called “Trump’s chaos” and rampant corruption, singling out Attorney General Ken Paxton without mentioning Cornyn.
• Potential Democratic contenders including Colin Allred, Beto O’Rourke, Joaquin Castro and James Talarico are weighing their own bids for the seat.