GOP Ready To Keep Texas

Trump adviser Dick Morris says Republicans are in a stronger position than many public polls suggest as the 2026 midterm elections enter their final stretch, pointing to Texas and several closely watched battleground states.

Appearing Saturday on Newsmax, Morris argued that Republicans are likely to keep control of Texas despite a competitive Senate challenge from Democratic nominee James Talarico.

Talarico is facing Republican Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton in the November election, a race that has attracted increasing national attention as Democrats look for opportunities to expand their Senate map.

Morris said his long experience in Texas politics gives him confidence that the state will remain in Republican hands.

The Democratic nominee has also faced renewed scrutiny over comments from a 2022 Texas House hearing involving controversial materials in public schools.

During that hearing, Talarico reportedly characterized some concerns about inappropriate school content as exaggerated or politically motivated. The remarks have resurfaced during the campaign and are now being used by critics who argue that parents were justified in raising concerns about what children were being exposed to in classrooms and school libraries.

For many conservative voters, especially parents and grandparents, education remains a significant issue heading into November.

Morris Says Polling May Underestimate Republicans

Morris also challenged the idea that current public polling necessarily reflects where the electorate will be on Election Day.

He pointed to recent analysis showing that Republican candidates have performed better than late-summer polling suggested in several Midwestern states during previous election cycles.

According to Morris, published surveys can sometimes show Democrats performing more strongly than they ultimately do at the ballot box.

That possibility could become especially important in close Senate races where only a few percentage points may separate the candidates.

Morris said he spoke with President Donald Trump on Friday and believes Republican candidates are beginning to gain momentum.

One contest he highlighted is Minnesota’s open Senate race, where polling has shown a very tight battle as voters prepare to head to the polls in November.

If Republican support continues to strengthen in traditionally Democratic-leaning areas of the Midwest, it could significantly affect control of the Senate.

Morris Urges Trump to Focus on Policies That Hit Home

Morris also said he encouraged Trump to move away from broad political labels and focus instead on specific Democratic policy positions that could have a direct impact on American families.

His argument is that terms such as “socialism” may have become less effective because voters hear them so frequently.

Instead, Morris believes Republicans should explain exactly how Democratic proposals could affect healthcare, immigration, public safety and taxes.

He identified four issues he believes Trump should emphasize during the final weeks of the campaign.

The first is healthcare, particularly proposals that could reduce or eliminate the role of private health insurance.

The second is border security and immigration policy, an issue that has remained one of Trump’s strongest political messages.

The third involves criminal justice policies, including cashless bail and other approaches Republicans argue can make it more difficult to keep repeat offenders off the streets.

The fourth is taxes.

Trump signed the One Big Beautiful Bill Act into law in July 2025, expanding several tax provisions promoted heavily by Republicans.

The law created temporary deductions involving income from tips and overtime pay while also expanding tax relief aimed at many older Americans receiving Social Security.

Those provisions are expected to remain a major part of Republican campaign messaging, particularly among working-class voters and retirees who are concerned about household expenses.

Pocketbook Issues Could Decide the Election

Morris believes Republicans will benefit if they keep the campaign focused on policies voters can connect directly to their everyday lives.

For Americans over 50, questions involving retirement income, taxes, healthcare costs, crime, border security and the future of younger generations often carry more weight than political slogans.

That may be why both parties are increasingly concentrating on kitchen-table issues as Election Day approaches.

Republicans are likely to argue that Trump’s tax policies, tougher immigration approach and emphasis on public safety offer voters a clear alternative to the Democratic agenda.

Democrats, meanwhile, are expected to continue emphasizing the cost of living, healthcare access and criticism of the Trump administration.

With several Senate races still extremely close, even small shifts among independents, seniors and working-class voters could determine which party controls Congress after November.

Morris’ message to Trump is straightforward: focus less on political labels and more on the specific policies voters will feel in their wallets, neighborhoods and retirement plans.

Whether that strategy gives Republicans an advantage will become clearer as the final weeks of the 2026 midterm campaign unfold.