GOP fortress is under threat in one key red state, and these voters could decide whether it falls

DALLAS — A competitive Senate race is testing whether Texas is still safely red, with Black and Hispanic voters at the center of Democrat James Talarico's path to victory. Talarico is seeking to become the first Democrat in more than 30 years to win a statewide race in the Lone Star State. "I definitely do think, if there’s any time for Texas to get a Democrat elected, this is the time to strike," Mike, a military veteran from Dallas, told Fox News Digital.

"I think it depends on whether the Black and brown voters come out for Talarico." POLL: TALARICO TIES PAXTON IN TEXAS SENATE RACE, THREATENING GOP STRONGHOLD "Everyone says, ‘Hey, we are Texas and we want change here, we want change there,’" Mike added. "Well, this is an opportunity for you guys to get change. Are you going to come out and show up at the polls?

He’s got all the momentum in the world. He’s got everything going for him." Mike’s comments reflect the challenge facing Talarico as he works to build support among Black and Hispanic voters and motivate them to turn out in November. Texas has more Black eligible voters than any other state, with roughly 2.7 million.

That puts voters in Houston, Dallas-Fort Worth and East Texas in a potentially decisive position in any Democrat’s bid to win statewide. Former President Barack Obama’s appearance with Talarico at a May campaign stop in Austin underscored the stakes for Democrats to leverage a massive voting bloc in Texas. The party's effort to win over Black voters could help determine whether Texas remains reliably red or becomes more competitive for Democrats in future elections.

TEXAS VOTERS HAVE PLENTY TO SAY ABOUT WHETHER LONE STAR STATE COULD TURN BLUE But Talarico faces an uphill battle in uniting Democrats behind his campaign after a divisive primary against Rep. Jasmine Crockett, D-Texas. Talarico defeated Crockett in the Democrat primary earlier this year, and the outgoing congresswoman has not endorsed his Senate campaign.

Crockett has said she supports the Democratic ticket in Texas, but her political action committee has not endorsed Talarico or campaigned for him. Rashaun, of Forney, Texas, said the primary loss may have left some Black voters frustrated. "Everyone was behind Jasmine," Rashaun said.