CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas — Texas Democratic attorney general nominee Nathan Johnson said his party has momentum heading into the November midterm elections despite Republicans’ decades-long winning streak in statewide races.
Johnson made the remarks after Democrats gathered for party events Friday, where candidates focused on economic issues, abortion access and immigration ahead of the Nov. 3 election.
Republicans have won every statewide race in Texas since 1994, when Democratic Lt. Gov. Bob Bullock secured reelection. Since then, Republican candidates have won 53 consecutive statewide contests, including races for governor, lieutenant governor, attorney general, U.S. Senate, comptroller, agriculture commissioner and land commissioner.
Johnson said he believes voters have grown tired of political debates over cultural issues.
“People are absolutely sick of the right-wing shenanigans. It’s not helping them economically. The culture wars are tired,” Johnson said.
Johnson also contrasted Democratic campaign messaging with that of his Republican opponent, state Sen. Mayes Middleton.
During Friday night’s Democratic gathering, gubernatorial nominee Gina Hinojosa urged the party to refocus on economic issues, citing policies that expanded homeownership and labor rights under President Franklin D. Roosevelt’s New Deal.
Johnson also pointed to recent election results that he said indicate Democratic gains, including higher Democratic turnout than Republican turnout in the March primaries and Democrat Taylor Rehmet’s victory in a January special election for a Texas Senate seat.
Republicans also expressed confidence in their electoral prospects during a separate event Friday.
State Rep. Katrina Pierson criticized Democratic positions on several social issues and described Republican policies as a response to those concerns.
Texas voters will choose statewide and legislative candidates in the Nov. 3 midterm elections.