Primary elections in key states begin to form midterm matches

The midterms are underway in earnest with primaries in Texas, North Carolina and Arkansas. There was some confusion at the polls, and the results led to harsh words, some unrest and more questions about the election yet to come. Jeff Bennett reports.

Jeff Bennett:

The midterm elections kicked off in earnest with contests in Texas, North Carolina, and Arkansas yesterday. There was some confusion at the polls, and the results led to harsh words, some unrest and more questions about the election yet to come.

Late night turns into early morning in Texas.

State Rep. James Tallarico (D-Texas), Senate candidate: We’re not just trying to win elections. We are trying to change our policies radically. And it works.

Jeff Bennett:

State Representative James Tallarico won a hard-fought Democratic primary to be the party’s Senate nominee in November.

State Rep. James Tallarico:

Tonight, the people of our state gave this country a little hope. A little hope is a dangerous thing.

Jeff Bennett:

The defeat of Congresswoman Jasmine Crockett, who sent her supporters home early after a day of unrest at the polls.

Rep. Jasmine Crockett (D-Texas):

I have no idea when we’ll get the results, and I fully expect it won’t happen until tomorrow.

Jeff Bennett:

Rule changes in one of the state’s most populous counties have created confusion about where voters should cast their ballots. A judge extended voting by two hours, but the state Supreme Court quickly intervened to block the ruling, instead ordering late votes to be separated and leaving questions about whether they would be counted at all.

Crockett admitted this morning. Tallarico now turns his attention to November, hoping to become the first Democratic senator elected from Texas in nearly 40 years. But who he will face is still unknown…

Senator John Cornyn (R-Texas):

We are in a runoff.

Jeff Bennett:

…while the most expensive Senate primaries in US history head to a runoff.

The current Republican candidate, John Cornyn, who is running for a fifth term, is in the political battle of his career, and is narrowly ahead of Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton.

Senator John Cornyn:

I refuse to allow a flawed, selfish, and shameless candidate like Ken Paxton to risk everything we have worked so hard to build over these many years. There is simply too much at stake.

Jeff Bennett:

Paxton, the scandal-plagued MAGA-aligned fighter who has challenged Democratic policies in court, has turned his focus to his primary opponent.

KEN PAXTON (R), Texas Senate Candidate: After all the personal attacks, which were many, after all the lies, you listened to what John Cornyn was selling and you weren’t buying it.

Jeff Bennett:

The deeply personal battle will only intensify with a new spending onslaught and efforts to gain President Trump’s support before Republican voters return to the polls in May.

Across Texas, newly drawn congressional maps have led to some big changes. Republican Dan Crenshaw is the first member of Congress to be impeached in the midterms this year, losing to state Rep. Steve Toth.

STATE REPRESENTATIVE STEVE TOTH (R-TX), CANDIDATE FOR CONGRESS: The White House has been wishing us well.

Jeff Bennett:

In a test of the strength of the president’s MAGA movement, Crenshaw was the only incumbent in the state without Mr. Trump’s endorsement. Other incumbent lawmakers were forced into runoffs, including embattled Republican Tony Gonzalez, who faces scrutiny after an alleged affair with a staffer who later died by suicide.

A newly formed ethics subcommittee will investigate any potential wrongdoing. Gonzalez will face gunsmith and YouTube star Brandon Herrera in a district that includes Uvalde. Democratic Congresswoman Julie Johnson and former Congressman Collin Allred will compete for a safe blue seat in the Dallas area.

Rep. Christian Menefee (D-Texas):

We’re in first place tonight.

Jeff Bennett:

For two Democratic candidates running in the same district, the close race is far from decided. Freshman Christian Menefee, who took office a little more than a month ago, has a narrow lead over Houston Congressman Al Green, who has served 11 terms. But neither reached the 50% mark to avoid a runoff.

Meanwhile, in North Carolina, a potential recount is underway in the state’s bluest congressional district, where Democratic candidate Valerie Fauci leads her rival by only 1,200 votes. In the closely watched Senate race, both parties had made room for their preferred candidates to fill the seat of retiring Republican Thom Tillis.

Michael Whatley, the former chairman of the Republican Party, promised to stay inside alongside the Trump White House.

Michael Whatley (right), North Carolina Senate candidate: This election is bigger than a primary. This election is a choice, a choice between a conservative champion for North Carolina who will be an ally of President Trump in the Senate or a champion of the left’s failed policies.

Jeff Bennett:

While former Democratic Governor Roy Cooper delivered his speech to moderate voters.

Forced Migration Bulletin. Governor Roy Cooper (D-N.C.), Senate candidate: I will be a strong, independent senator who will work for this president when I can and stand up to him when the people need me to.

(acclaim)

Forced Migration Bulletin. Governor Roy Cooper:

I will always put the people of North Carolina first, before politics, before party.

Jeff Bennett:

Everyone is preparing for a high-stakes showdown in November, as Republicans work to maintain their majority in the Senate.