Just how badly did Republicans do in two Texas special elections last weekend?
Not as badly as apocalyptic headlines in liberal-leaning outlets would suggest -- but badly enough that Republicans nationwide have to learn some searing lessons.
Although the GOP lost both races, one was for a U.S. House seat that's been in Democrats' hands for decades: Christian Menefee's victory narrows the GOP's congressional majority, but only because that safely blue seat had been vacant since Rep. Sylvester Turner died last March.
The other contest, which yielded an upset, was for a Texas state senate seat that will be up for election again before the legislature convenes.
In other words, the victorious Democrat, Taylor Rehmet, won't get to vote on anything before Texans get another vote on him, and the November race that really matters is certain to have stronger turnout than last Saturday's special election.
The trouble is Rehmet didn't just win, he won by more than 14 points in a red-leaning Ft. Worth-area district.
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