important gubernatorial spots as well now the republicans are hoping to hold on to the house and the senate the democrats are hoping to take back one or even two chambers of congress and push back on president trump's policies that he is my a schwager is following what looks to be a tight. every state every ballot issue every candidate has a pivotal role to play in these midterm elections some campaigns could prove to be a bellwether for where the country is headed as a whole let's take a look now at just a few examples we'll begin in texas one of the most populous states in the nation and currently the biggest solidly republican voting state texas hasn't elected a democratic senator since one nine hundred eighty eight now data over a democratic upstart is challenging incumbent republican ted cruz and for such a red state the race has become unusually competitive crews are still ahead in the polls but our work has attracted national attention. even if beto recluses