Fact Check: Terry Virts Becomes First Democrat to Run for Texas Senate Seat in 2024
What We Know
Terry Virts, a retired NASA astronaut, has officially announced his candidacy for the Texas Senate seat currently held by Republican John Cornyn. His announcement was made on June 23, 2025, and he is positioning himself as a "common sense Democrat" who aims to appeal to Texas voters by criticizing both major political parties (New York Times, Texas Tribune).
Historically, Texas has not seen a Democrat win a statewide office since the 1990s, making Virts' candidacy noteworthy. His campaign is seen as part of a broader effort by Democrats to regain ground in Texas, particularly if Cornyn faces a tough primary against a more hardline candidate like Ken Paxton (New York Times, Texas Tribune).
While Virts is indeed the first Democrat to announce a run for the Senate seat in 2024, he is not the only Democratic candidate considering a run. Other prominent figures, such as Colin Allred and Beto O'Rourke, are also potential candidates, which complicates the claim that he is the first and only Democrat in the race (New York Times, Texas Tribune).
Analysis
The claim that Terry Virts is the "first Democrat to run for Texas Senate seat in 2024" is partially true. While he is the first to officially announce his candidacy, the political landscape is fluid, and several other Democrats are contemplating their own runs. The Texas Democratic Party has not won a statewide election in over two decades, and Virts' entry into the race is significant, but it does not preclude the possibility of other candidates entering the fray (Texas Tribune, New York Times).
Furthermore, the sources reporting on Virts' candidacy are credible, including major news outlets like the New York Times and the Texas Tribune, which provide detailed coverage of the political dynamics in Texas. However, the framing of Virts as the "first" may mislead readers into thinking he is the only candidate, which is not the case. Thus, while he is a notable candidate, the assertion lacks context regarding the competitive nature of the Democratic primary in Texas (New York Times, Texas Tribune).
Conclusion
The verdict on the claim that "Terry Virts becomes first Democrat to run for Texas Senate seat in 2024" is Partially True. While Virts is indeed the first to formally announce his candidacy, he is not the only Democrat considering a run, which is an important nuance that should be acknowledged. The evolving nature of the race means that other candidates may emerge, potentially altering the dynamics of the Democratic primary.
