Source: Semafor
by David Weigel
“The major US political parties are best understood by looking at Texas and California, whose 2026 primaries tell a clear story: Republicans are run from the top, while Democrats aren’t run at all. Texas Republicans did what the president asked them to on Tuesday, nominating state Attorney Gen. Ken Paxton for the job now held by Sen. John Cornyn. A 40-year scandal-free career in Texas politics is over after pro-Cornyn groups spent close to $100 million to defend him, simply because President Donald Trump said so. The polar-opposite dynamic is on view in California, where Democrats will likely send one of their gubernatorial candidates to the November election against Republican Steve Hilton. They have struggled to even accomplish that, however, after Gov. Gavin Newsom declined to endorse a successor.” (05/27/26)
https://www.semafor.com/article/05/27/2026/why-democrats-prefer-their-own-messy-primaries