Soros Launches $1M Bid to Flip Texas Blue Despite GOP's Iron Grip

Paul Riverbank, 6/10/2025Soros commits $1M to flip Texas blue, despite GOP's growing strength and demographic shifts.

Money talks in politics, but in Texas, it hasn't always had the last word. Just ask the Democrats who've been trying to paint the Lone Star State blue for the better part of two decades.

Now George Soros is throwing his hat into the ring, committing $1 million to the Texas Majority PAC's latest attempt at flipping the state. I've watched similar efforts come and go over my years covering Texas politics, and I can't help but wonder: What makes this time different?

The numbers tell a sobering story for Democrats. Last year's elections saw Republicans actually widening their lead – Trump's margin jumped from 5.6 points to a whopping 13 points. Not exactly the trend Democrats were hoping for.

Look, I've spent enough time in the Rio Grande Valley to know that demographic destiny isn't what it used to be. The region's rightward drift has thrown a wrench into the traditional Democratic playbook. Hispanic voters, it turns out, aren't the monolithic bloc some strategists assumed they'd be.

That said, the Texas Majority PAC isn't working entirely in the dark. Their targeted spending in 2024 showed some promise – they pumped $1.6 million into Bexar County and saw volunteer numbers jump by 30%. Not bad, but not game-changing either.

Ted Cruz – never one to miss a fundraising opportunity – has been sounding the alarm about Democratic spending. "Chuck Schumer and George Soros," he warned Fox News viewers, painting a picture of outside forces trying to reshape Texas politics. It's a message that resonates with his base, even if it oversimplifies the complex dynamics at play.

Here's what fascinates me: while statewide races remain stubbornly red, urban areas are showing signs of change. San Antonio's election of Gina Ortiz Jones as its first openly lesbian mayor suggests the ground might be shifting in metropolitan regions. But winning a city is one thing – winning Texas is another beast entirely.

The Democrats' thirty-year drought in statewide races isn't just bad luck. It's a testament to the GOP's deep roots in Texas political culture. Sure, Soros's million might help build some infrastructure, but money alone won't bridge the cultural divide that's kept Texas reliably red for so long.

Katherine Fischer, the PAC's deputy executive director, talks about not wanting to leave a potential 2026 win "on the table." But from where I sit, the table looks more like a mountain. The question isn't just whether Democrats can organize effectively – it's whether they can fundamentally reshape their message to resonate with Texas voters who've been turning away from them in recent cycles.

I've covered enough campaigns to know that change can happen quickly in politics. But I've also learned that in Texas, change tends to come on Texas's own terms. Soros's million might buy a lot of ads and fund a lot of organizers, but transforming Texas's political identity? That's a challenge that goes well beyond any dollar amount.

Money talks in politics, but in Texas, it hasn't always had the last word. Just ask the Democrats who've been trying to paint the Lone Star State blue for the better part of two decades.Now George Soros is throwing his hat into the ring, committing $1 million to the Texas Majority PAC's latest attempt at flipping the state. I've watched similar efforts come and go over my years covering Texas politics, and I can't help but wonder: What makes this time different?The numbers tell a sobering story for Democrats. Last year's elections saw Republicans actually widening their lead – Trump's margin jumped from 5.6 points to a whopping 13 points. Not exactly the trend Democrats were hoping for.Look, I've spent enough time in the Rio Grande Valley to know that demographic destiny isn't what it used to be. The region's rightward drift has thrown a wrench into the traditional Democratic playbook. Hispanic voters, it turns out, aren't the monolithic bloc some strategists assumed they'd be.That said, the Texas Majority PAC isn't working entirely in the dark. Their targeted spending in 2024 showed some promise – they pumped $1.6 million into Bexar County and saw volunteer numbers jump by 30%. Not bad, but not game-changing either.Ted Cruz – never one to miss a fundraising opportunity – has been sounding the alarm about Democratic spending. "Chuck Schumer and George Soros," he warned Fox News viewers, painting a picture of outside forces trying to reshape Texas politics. It's a message that resonates with his base, even if it oversimplifies the complex dynamics at play.Here's what fascinates me: while statewide races remain stubbornly red, urban areas are showing signs of change. San Antonio's election of Gina Ortiz Jones as its first openly lesbian mayor suggests the ground might be shifting in metropolitan regions. But winning a city is one thing – winning Texas is another beast entirely.The Democrats' thirty-year drought in statewide races isn't just bad luck. It's a testament to the GOP's deep roots in Texas political culture. Sure, Soros's million might help build some infrastructure, but money alone won't bridge the cultural divide that's kept Texas reliably red for so long.Katherine Fischer, the PAC's deputy executive director, talks about not wanting to leave a potential 2026 win "on the table." But from where I sit, the table looks more like a mountain. The question isn't just whether Democrats can organize effectively – it's whether they can fundamentally reshape their message to resonate with Texas voters who've been turning away from them in recent cycles.I've covered enough campaigns to know that change can happen quickly in politics. But I've also learned that in Texas, change tends to come on Texas's own terms. Soros's million might buy a lot of ads and fund a lot of organizers, but transforming Texas's political identity? That's a challenge that goes well beyond any dollar amount.