Democrats hoping to flip Texas House seat fall short amid low turnout: 'Pretty bad'

Democrats hoping to flip Texas' 6th Congressional District in a runoff election will not even have a candidate to vote for this weekend, as only Republicans advanced to the runoff.

In the special election, Republicans received more than 60% of the vote, while Democrats received less than 40%.

"Yes, Democratic turnout in #TX06 is dismal. However, it also reflects the fact that no high-profile Democrats rallied around their top candidates "Despite the fact that failed Texas gubernatorial candidate Beto O'Rourke attempted to rally voters in April, Cook Political Report editor Dave Wasserman wrote on Twitter.

"The [Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee] will be chastised for ignoring #TX06, resulting in this poor showing. But, strategically, they were correct not to waste millions: TX [Republicans] will be able to redraw it before 2022, so it won't matter for the majority "Wasserman went on.

Republicans Susan Wright, the late Republican Rep. Ron Wright's wife, and Jake Ellzey advanced to the runoff, which many see as a foreshadowing of future contests.

Ellzey narrowly defeated Democrat Jana Lynne Sanchez in the second runoff election by less than 400 votes. According to the New York Times, the special election results disappointed Democrats who had hoped for a stronger showing for Sanchez.

"Democrats have come a long way toward competing in Texas," Sanchez said in a statement on Sunday. "Unfortunately, we fell short tonight, and two Republicans will compete to represent this congressional district."

"Congratulations to Susan Wright on her tremendous surge yesterday that vaulted her to NUMBER ONE and ensures her participation in the TX-06 runoff against another Republican," Trump said in a statement. "The Democrats have just given up the race." Susan's popularity skyrocketed after I endorsed her last week. Her wonderful husband is watching over her and is very proud of her!"

Wright is the widow of the late Rep. Ron Wright, R-Texas, who died earlier this month from coronavirus. Wright, who had been battling cancer for years, revealed on Jan. 21 that he was experiencing "minor" COVID-19 symptoms. He was admitted to Dallas' Baylor Hospital and died on February 7.

Republicans seized on Democrats' failure in Texas to cast it as a referendum on the party's national agenda.

"Democrats' socialist agenda, which has opened our borders, destroyed thousands of energy jobs, and wants to raise middle-class taxes by trillions of dollars, has eliminated any possibility of them being competitive in this district."

In a statement, National Republican Congressional Committee Chairman Tom Emmer said, "I look forward to welcoming a new Republican colleague to Congress."

Democratic turnout, according to Republican pollster Patrick Ruffini, was "terrible news for the Biden coalition."

"This appears to be an enthusiasm gap to me." "Perhaps the American Plan isn't just a political winner after all," Ruffini tweeted on Sunday, referring to President Biden's slew of plans.

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