IN THE STATES: Democrats’ Enthusiasm Sweeps Across the South, GOP Plagued With Infighting, Chaos, and Major Enthusiasm Slump Arrow

During Texas' primary elections on Tuesday, Democratic enthusiasm reached heights not seen in decades as voters turned out in droves to support Democrats. For the first time in over 20 years, Democrats outperformed Republicans during early voting and trampled Republicans' voter turnout on Election Day. In stark contrast, Texas Republicans are now stuck battling each other in costly runoff elections.

• In Texas: CNN: Democratic turnout in Texas primaries reaches record levels, in latest sign of party enthusiasm
• In Texas: Axios Dallas: Democratic early voting turnout in Texas high
• In Texas: The Hill: Early turnout in Texas Democratic primary outpaces GOP as Election Day kicks off
• In Texas: Austin American-Statesman: Texas Democrats set new turnout record in heated primary
• In Texas: Associated Press: Talarico wins Texas Senate Democratic nomination while Cornyn and Paxton head to Republican runoff
• In Texas: New York Times: Bobby Pulido Wins Democratic Primary in Texas' 15th District

Meanwhile, a Blue Wave swept across North Carolina as voters surged to the polls to vote for strong Democratic candidates. After a massive turnout in Tuesday's primaries, Democratic early voting turnout was nearly 50% higher than Republican turnout, underscoring just how much voters have soured on Donald Trump and his Republican allies.

• In North Carolina: WFAE: Turnout surges for Democratic Senate primary, while GOP primary sees drop
• In North Carolina: NC Newsline: North Carolina early primary voting surges ahead of 2024, driven by Democratic enthusiasm
• In North Carolina: Associated Press: Roy Cooper and Michael Whatley clinch US Senate in North Carolina, setting up high-stakes fall fight
• In North Carolina: ABC 11: Smith secures District 3 primary victory, will face Murphy in November

Democrats also pulled off a major upset in Arkansas. Democrat Alex Holladay clinched victory in the House District 70 election by nearly 15 points, flipping a seat Democrats have not held in decades. With this victory, Democrats notch their 27th red-to-blue legislative seat flip since Trump took office - all while Republicans remain at zero.

• In Arkansas: MS NOW: Dems score upset win in Arkansas special election, giving GOP one more reason to worry
• In Arkansas: The Downballot: Arkansas Democrats just flipped a Republican seat
• In Arkansas: The Hill: Holladay wins Arkansas special election in key Democratic pickup
• In Arkansas: Newsweek: Democrats Just Flipped a Republican Seat in a State Trump Won Three Times

As Democrats raked in electoral victories this week after making major inroads across the South, Republicans imploded into chaos, with House leadership turning on one of their own: Rep. Tony Gonzales. After the entire House GOP leadership turned on him, Rep. Gonzales announced the end of his reelection bid yesterday. Make no mistake: As Republicans fall further into dysfunction and division and turn on each other, Democrats are fighting to deliver real solutions to working families struggling from Trump and Republicans' toxic agenda.

• In Texas: Politico: House GOP leaders ask Tony Gonzales to drop reelection bid
• In Texas: New York Times: Representative Tony Gonzales Will Not Seek Re-election
• In Texas: New York Times: Fellow Republican Moves to Censure Gonzales Amid Affair Allegations
• In Texas: Politico: 'Substantial reason to believe' Tony Gonzales had sex with his staffer, House probe finds
• In Texas: Politico: Tony Gonzales created a mess for GOP leaders. They're counting on voters to do the cleanup.

In Florida, Republicans are also self-destructing after shocking racist messages surfaced in yet another Republican group chat. From slurs to violent language, the messages prove once again how out of step Republicans are - and why Floridians are calling for Republicans to clean house.

• In Florida: New York Times: Slurs Filled a Chat Created by a Republican Party Official in Florida
• In Florida: Miami Herald: 'Nazi heaven': Inside Miami campus Republicans' racist group chat
• In Florida: TheGrio: Florida Republican leader called to resign for group chat that used the N-word over 400 times
• In Florida: The Guardian: Florida college Republicans group chat reveals racist texts: 'Avoid the coloreds like the plague'