Midterms Could Revive 2 Oil-State Democrats in Texas and Alaska
Updated
Updated · POLITICO · Oct 28
Midterms Could Revive 2 Oil-State Democrats in Texas and Alaska
3 articles · Updated · POLITICO · Oct 28
Summary
Texas candidate James Talarico and Alaska candidate Mary Peltola could restore a nearly vanished type of Democrat next week: a senator from a fossil-fuel-rich, Republican-leaning state.
Moderate Democrats see those races as a way to widen the party’s energy message before an expectedly competitive 2028 cycle, even if either victory would be a major upset.
Peltola has leaned into that profile by backing more Alaskan production, including the $8 billion Willow oil project despite opposition from other Democrats.
Talarico has likewise vowed to defend Texas oil and gas, though that stance could soon collide with Democratic plans to haul industry executives before Congress over rising fuel prices.
Any win in Texas or Alaska would test how much influence environmental groups still hold over a party that has moved sharply toward climate-focused politics.