Texas Democrats Focus on Winning Back Working-Class Voters

As Texas Democrats prepare for the 2026 statewide elections, a central theme has emerged among top candidates: regaining the trust of working-class voters, who have increasingly backed Republican candidates in recent decades.

According to the Austin American-Statesman, Democratic contenders for governor and U.S. Senate are signaling a renewed focus on economic issues and everyday affordability concerns as they aim to rebuild support among working-class voters.

State Rep. James Talarico, who recently entered the Senate race, has emphasized the party’s historical identity as a champion of labor and working families, referencing the legacy of Democratic Presidents Franklin D. Roosevelt and Lyndon B. Johnson. That sentiment is echoed by other candidates, including former U.S. Rep. Colin Allred and retired astronaut Terry Virts, both of whom are also seeking the Senate nomination.

Allred, raised in a working-class household, has built his campaign around economic issues, highlighting how his personal story influences his policy goals. Virts, in his first run for office, has cast himself as a unifying candidate focused on economic fundamentals rather than partisan politics.

Entrepreneur Andrew White, the only major Democrat to officially announce a gubernatorial run so far, has emphasized the need to balance environmental goals with protecting jobs in Texas’ energy sector. He warned that Democrats could lose support from workers in industries like energy if they are seen as opposing the sectors that provide their jobs.

This shift in tone comes under the leadership of Kendall Scudder, the newly appointed chairman of the Texas Democratic Party. Drawing on his own blue-collar background, Scudder has acknowledged that the party has lost touch with working-class voters and stressed the need for clear, relatable messaging.

The effort in Texas mirrors recent Democratic strategies in other conservative-leaning states. In Kentucky, Democratic Governor Andy Beshear won reelection in 2023 by focusing on direct, plain-spoken communication and policy messages rooted in everyday concerns, a model some Texas Democrats view as instructive for the upcoming election cycle.