Texas Republicans are intensifying allegations that Democrats in major cities are conspiring to manipulate the 2024 elections. With the GOP’s lead shrinking in both Senate and presidential races, figures like Governor Greg Abbott and Attorney General Ken Paxton are targeting urban areas, accusing them of orchestrating a scheme to skew the election results.
Abbott recently revealed that over 1 million purportedly “ineligible” voters, including 6,500 noncitizens—nearly 2,000 of whom allegedly voted—have been purged from the rolls. These cases are being referred for prosecution by Paxton’s office, which has been actively investigating alleged voter fraud.
In a recent interview, Paxton unfoundedly claimed that President Biden and Vice President Harris have facilitated the illegal voting of undocumented immigrants in key states, suggesting a deliberate effort to alter the election outcome. Paxton’s remarks, lacking substantive evidence, portrayed an elaborate narrative of cartels aiding in voter fraud to achieve a one-party system.
Democratic State Chair Gilberto Hinojosa criticized these efforts as fear-mongering tactics designed to suppress voter turnout and maintain Republican dominance, countering that the movement for a Democratic Texas is gaining ground.
Paxton’s recent actions, including investigating baseless accusations of nonprofits illegally registering noncitizens and authorizing searches of Democratic officials’ properties, are seen as part of a broader strategy to impact the upcoming election. The scrutiny extends to Harris County, where election monitors are being deployed despite repeated failures to find fraud.
Polls indicate the state’s political landscape is shifting, with Vice President Harris narrowing Trump’s lead and Senator Ted Cruz’s margin over challenger Colin Allred shrinking. Democrats are leading among Texas women and making inroads with Latino voters, contrasting with Trump’s slight advantage among that demographic.
Nationally, Republicans and major donors are highlighting immigration as a key issue, with figures like RNC Chair Michael Whatley and Trump allies supporting Paxton’s investigations. Meanwhile, Abbott has challenged a ruling limiting Paxton’s investigatory powers, highlighting ongoing tensions within Texas’s political and legal arenas.
In the local scene, the race for District 80, including Uvalde—the site of a tragic 2022 school shooting—has become a battleground for accusations of intimidation. Republican Don McLaughlin is vying against Democrat Cecilia Castellano, who faces scrutiny from Paxton’s office. Hinojosa has denounced the state’s tactics as oppressive and urged Texans to verify their voter registrations and mail-in ballot applications.