KSEV Mornings · November 5, 2026 · Hour 2
Wayne Dolcefino joins Craig Coglianese by phone from California on Ken Paxton and Mayes Middleton’s losses, the Texas Senate as the last firewall, turnout and Republicans who stayed home, and why housing costs hit young voters.
After townhall news on JD Vance’s Iran-war post, Craig brought Wayne Dolcefino onto the line from California. Wayne said he was in mourning for Ken Paxton and shocked that Mayes Middleton lost attorney general, and he wondered what happens to Operation Lone Star under Gina Hinojosa.
Paxton, Middleton and the Texas Senate firewall
Wayne and Craig walked the statewide losses: the House, the governor’s office, lieutenant governor and attorney general. Wayne’s bottom line was that the Texas Senate is the only prevention mechanism left — still roughly 19 to 12, he said — so the near-term job is stopping Democrats from doing a lot of damage. Craig and Wayne both said culture issues can’t be the only argument; Republicans have to sell the economy and Texas wins on social media, and put up younger candidates. Craig noted his Talarico TikTok had drawn tens of thousands of views.
Turnout, Brian Harrison and wins that weren’t sold
Caller Chris in Spring asked about stripping emergency powers, the Brian Harrison push Craig backed in hour 1. Craig said Texas turnout was 51.6% of registered voters — higher than 45% in 2022, but below 61% in 2024 — and that Republicans who stayed home mattered. Wayne said Republicans passed school choice and other wins that protected Texas children and never sold the message. Caller Mike brought up Ronald Reagan’s 1982 midterm, deep statewide losses, gas and diesel prices, and Jon Bonck’s close win; Craig asked why tip earners weren’t interviewed on no tax on tips.
Purity tests, RINOs and who stayed home
Wayne said purity tests and calling people RINOs push voters away, and that a lot of those Republicans probably stayed home this election. He framed it as his long-running concern about remnants of that Tea Party approach costing races when anyone who doesn’t agree on everything gets labeled and shoved out.
Housing costs and young voters
Caller Sharon asked about Harrison and Greg Abbott’s COVID emergency powers. Craig and Wayne turned to California transplants, Talarico versus Musk money, and why young voters feel shut out of the economy. Wayne described a home in Chico bought in the 1970s for $37,000 that is worth a couple of million dollars now, and said houses that cost five, six, seven or $800,000 today make the math harder for the next generation. “It’s kind of insane what’s happened economically,” he said.
Hear Craig and Wayne live weekdays from 7–9 AM Central on AM 700 KSEV, The Voice of Texas. Visit the KSEV Mornings show page for live-listening controls and more episodes. Listen live weekdays 7-9 AM CT on the KSEV app.
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