There are many ways in which Texas is unique among the states, but one of the lesser-known ones is the fact that it has the right to subdivide into as many as five states should it choose to. This would give it 8 more Senators and probably more House seats and electoral votes.
President: Senator Obama has a decent base in Texas between minority voters and urban liberals but it does not seem likely he will find enough votes to win the state.
Safe Republican
Senate: Incumbent John Cornyn is being challenged by State Representative Rick Noriega. Like Obama, Noriega will have a solid base to build from and, *if* the elections go very badly for the GOP, he could be a target for a sleeper upset.
Cornyn’s gruff nature and hard-line views have not set well with even his own party and as a result his support could be weaker than it seems. But, for now, he is fairly safe.
Safe Republican
House: Right now the Republicans hold 19 seats to 13 for the Democrats. Again, if there is a Democratic tidal wave it is possible that some races could be closer than expected. But for the moment all 19 Republicans and 12 of the Democrats seem secure.
In the 22nd District incumbent Nick Lampson (D) is up for his first re-election bid. This is the seat once held by Tom DeLay and is solidly-Republican. Lampson will be hard to beat though because of the value of incumbency and his hard work. However, given the political makeup of the district, I think challenger Pete Olson will pull this one out.
Leans Republican (gain)