The Daily Kos Elections Morning Digest is compiled by David Nir, Jeff Singer, Stephen Wolf, and Carolyn Fiddler, with additional contributions from David Jarman, Steve Singiser, Daniel Donner, James Lambert, David Beard, and Arjun Jaikumar.
Leading Off
●TX-Sen: Democrat MJ Hegar, a 2018 House candidate who made waves last cycle with a viral campaign ad showcasing her inspiring life story as an accomplished military combat pilot, told the Texas Tribune that she was considering taking on Republican Sen. John Cornyn next year. Hegar said she would likely defer to 2014 gubernatorial nominee Wendy Davis if the latter chose to run, and Davis herself said she hasn't "ruled anything out." However, after Davis lost by a 59-39 landslide in the GOP wave year of 2014, top Democrats may prefer to look elsewhere for a 2020 Senate nominee.
Campaign ActionWhile Hegar ultimately lost in the 31st District by 51-48 to Republican Rep. John Carter, that was an impressive performance in a congressional district that had backed Trump by a wide 54-41 and Mitt Romney by an even more daunting 60-38 in 2012. Both of those margins are redder than Texas overall, and Hegar would have a shot at winning in 2020 if she comes close to matching that overperformance.
Hegar was a stellar fundraiser in 2018, but Cornyn isn't the sort of nationally reviled boogeyman among Democrats that Mitch McConnell or Texas' other GOP Sen. Ted Cruz are. Furthermore, Texas remains a red-leaning state despite its blue trend. However, after former Rep. Beto O'Rourke came the closest to winning a Texas Senate race in 2018 than any Democrat has in three decades, Hegar might have what it takes to put Cornyn's seat into play if she runs in 2020.