Slate: “There has been some recent discourse about whether Texas, while trending bluer, qualifies as a ‘swing state.’ The question ultimately can only be resolved one way: through a volley of dueling open letters in niche literary magazines. But is Texas competitive in this environment, the Purge-like electoral cycle of no rules? Yes, and the Biden campaign is at least toying with a play for the state. It ran its first ad in Texas this week with a spot, titled ‘Tough TX,’ focused on the recent coronavirus outbreak there. The size of the ad buy itself was modest, more likely intended as a way of creating a Beltway news cycle (congrats!) than as a pledge to go all-in on Texas, which would be an expensive proposition. It’s that cost, and the marginal Electoral College benefits that a Texas win would bring—yes, Texas has a lot of electoral votes, but if Democrats are winning there, they’re well over 270 electoral votes anyway—that have led the Surge in the past to question the wisdom of Biden spending serious money on the state. But three things are causing us to reconsider that position. First, Biden winning Texas, as the cherry on top of a landslide, would prompt a sort of existential crisis within the Republican Party. Second, major investment in Texas could help Democrats flip the statehouse, which would be aces heading into a redistricting year. Lastly, and most importantly: It’s not our money. Do whatever you want with it.”