Midterm candidates chase crossover voters in tight races

Campaigns across the United States are spending their final days of airtime highlighting support from the opposing party. In a bid to sway undecided voters, candidates in several key states have leaned on endorsements from former colleagues and rival politicians to frame themselves as pragmatic choices rather than strict ideological partisans. The strategy aims to reduce partisan friction in a cycle where several contests have narrowed to statistical ties.

The trend is visible in the Alaska gubernatorial race, where Republican Senator Lisa Murkowski endorsed Democratic candidate Jonathan Kreiss-Tomkins on Tuesday. Her support stands out in a state that has historically leaned Republican. Murkowski’s name on the ticket signals to local voters that the Democrat is acceptable to the party establishment, even as the general election approaches in November.

Kansas has seen a similar pattern of crossover activity. Former Republican governors Bill Graves and Mike Hayden have publicly backed Democratic U.S. Senate candidate Adam Hamilton. Graves made his endorsement in September, while Hayden followed in October. Both men are well-known figures in state politics, and their support is intended to reassure moderate voters who may hesitate to support a Democrat in a conservative district.

Texas offers the most high-profile example of this tactic. The campaign for Democratic U.S. Senate candidate James Talarico reported that more than two dozen former GOP officials have joined his side. This week, former state senator Kel Seliger added his name to the list, choosing Talarico over Republican Attorney General Ken Paxton. Seliger, who served alongside both candidates, cited Talarico’s directness and honesty as deciding factors.

“I’ve served with both people,” Seliger said. “James Talarico is not some wild-eyed socialist and and he may believe in a lot of things that Democratic Party believes in that I don’t. But I think he’s going to be honest. And I think he’s going to be frank and direct. I think that the things that he does are going to be what is best for Texas. Not what’s best for Elon Musk.”

Republican officials argue that the flow of support works in both directions. Natalie Baldassarre, the national press secretary for the Republican National Committee, pointed to the coalition “Democrats for Mike Rogers” in Michigan. She noted that Republican candidates in Michigan and Texas are also benefiting from cross-party appeal as the election cycle heats up.

Joshua Blank, research director for the Texas Politics Project, cautioned that these endorsements rarely shift the needle dramatically. He described the effect as idiosyncratic behavior among a small share of the electorate. However, he acknowledged that if the races remain statistically tied, these minor shifts could determine the final outcome.