Mike Collier speaks while running for lieutenant governor as a Democrat in 2022.

U.S. Senator John Cornyn comments on the possibility of bringing a retired space shuttle to Space Center Houston during a panel discussion in Houston, Friday, June 20, 2025.

Third-place politicians have a duty to explain themselves: are they spoilers, posers or merely dreamy long shots? Because how they lose can change the world.

Two 2026 candidates could dramatically affect Texas’ future. U.S. Rep. Wesley Hunt, who is running against incumbent U.S. Sen. John Cornyn and Attorney General Ken Paxton, could throw the Republican primary into a low-turnout runoff, where the party base makes the call.

Mike Collier, an erstwhile Democrat running for lieutenant governor as an independent, could take votes from his former party’s nominee next year and guarantee Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick’s reelection.

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Prevailing political wisdom and their minimal campaign funds suggest neither candidate stands much of a chance. So, do they really think they can win? Or are they burning through millions of dollars in campaign donations just to promote themselves?

Hunt is running against two well-funded Republicans with far greater name........

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