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In this episode of The Right Idea, Brian Phillips and Derek Cohen sit down with Sarah Steeby, Executive Director of the Napolitan Institute, to unpack the massive Democratic primary turnout surge in Texas, the hype around Rep. James Talarico's U.S. Senate bid, Republican challenges uniting the base, and whether Texas is really "turning blue" in 2026.
Sarah shares unbiased polling insights on the economy, immigration, Hispanic voters, transgender issues in sports/bathrooms, the "10-10-80" voter split, and why fundamentals — not vibes — win elections. We also cover open statewide seats, school choice, border security, moms as a key demographic, and national trends like Iran and the economy heading into November.
01:13 – Hot Take: March Madness VERY Early Previews
05:27 – Sarah Steeby joins: Napolitan Institute polling trends & is Texas turning blue?
06:05 – Fundamentals that matter: Economy, immigration, cultural issues
07:40 – Democrat exuberance vs. Republican apathy — independent factors?
09:01 – Trump base energy, traditional GOP voters, and party unity challenge
10:24 – James Talarico effect: Charm vs. policy reality
12:32 – Early polling traps & why November changes everything
14:54 – California transplants, misunderstood Hispanic voters & strong borders
18:02 – Empowering parents: "Who decides?" messaging for Hispanics & beyond
20:45 – Top issues for open seats: Economy, personal finances, national security
23:30 – Moms of young families as a rising force in Texas politics
25:51 – Reaching the 80% in the middle: Common-sense, respectful solutions
30:22 – True moderates in politics — can anyone crack the code?
34:10 – Why common sense doesn't raise money + media/data misalignment
36:04 – Open statewide races, Democrat legislative records exposed
44:46 – Prospects for substantive policy debates in 2026
46:22 – National outlook: Economy, Iran, and midterm risks for Republicans
Sarah shares unbiased polling insights on the economy, immigration, Hispanic voters, transgender issues in sports/bathrooms, the "10-10-80" voter split, and why fundamentals — not vibes — win elections. We also cover open statewide seats, school choice, border security, moms as a key demographic, and national trends like Iran and the economy heading into November.
01:13 – Hot Take: March Madness VERY Early Previews
05:27 – Sarah Steeby joins: Napolitan Institute polling trends & is Texas turning blue?
06:05 – Fundamentals that matter: Economy, immigration, cultural issues
07:40 – Democrat exuberance vs. Republican apathy — independent factors?
09:01 – Trump base energy, traditional GOP voters, and party unity challenge
10:24 – James Talarico effect: Charm vs. policy reality
12:32 – Early polling traps & why November changes everything
14:54 – California transplants, misunderstood Hispanic voters & strong borders
18:02 – Empowering parents: "Who decides?" messaging for Hispanics & beyond
20:45 – Top issues for open seats: Economy, personal finances, national security
23:30 – Moms of young families as a rising force in Texas politics
25:51 – Reaching the 80% in the middle: Common-sense, respectful solutions
30:22 – True moderates in politics — can anyone crack the code?
34:10 – Why common sense doesn't raise money + media/data misalignment
36:04 – Open statewide races, Democrat legislative records exposed
44:46 – Prospects for substantive policy debates in 2026
46:22 – National outlook: Economy, Iran, and midterm risks for Republicans
Creators and Guests
Host
Brian Phillips
Brian Phillips is the Chief Communications Officer at the Texas Public Policy Foundation. For over a decade, Brian has helped policymakers and political candidates develop effective messages and communication strategies. Phillips is a veteran of presidential, congressional, and gubernatorial campaigns, and has extensive experience working in the United States Congress and public policy think tanks.
Host
Derek M. Cohen
Derek M. Cohen, Ph.D, is the Texas Public Policy Foundation's Chief Policy & Research Officer and Right on Crime Senior Fellow. Previously the Vice President of Policy and director of Right on Crime, the Foundation’s criminal justice reform initiative, Cohen was instrumental in the passage of the First Step Act, federal legislation that borrowed from successful changes to prisons and sentencing that he had helped pass in conservative states. In addition to leading the Foundation’s work on criminal justice, he is also the lead researcher of firearms policy.
What is The Right Idea?
The Right Idea: The Texas Public Policy Foundation's weekly look at the people, policy, and politics that drive Texas.