"I HAVE THE POWER!"

Early signs point to potential humiliation for Trump after candidate he backed has 'run a terrible campaign' https://t.co/JAKflli2Ca

— Raw Story (@RawStory) July 27, 2021

Or, you know: not.

The "smart money" said Trump gave Susan Wright, widow of the office holder in the Texas 6th, a huge boost when he endorsed here, a boost that guaranteed her a place in the runoff above a very crowded field.

Wiser heads doubted seriously Trump's endorsement, coming at the last minute (literally the day before the election, if memory serves) was worth a sneeze in a hurricane, and figured Wright was riding on name recognition more than anything (as well as a sympathy vote, to be sure).

The results for the runoff between Wright and the candidate Trump did not endorse are coming in.  And the candidate not blessed by Trump, with 93% of the vote counted as of this posting, is leading with 53% of the vote to her 47% of the vote.

I suppose Trump could say the election was rigged.  Except the Democrats failed to get a candidate into the runoff, and besides:  this election doesn't involve Trump directly.  That's the only time an election is rigged; when Trump loses it.

But as for his magical endorsement powers.....

Wow. Ellzey (R) winning the Election Day vote over Trump-endorsed Wright (R) so far as well. Now 54%-46% Ellzey overall. Going to be tough for Wright for overcome w/ what's left... #TX06

— Dave Wasserman (@Redistrict) July 28, 2021

And sorry to toss this in so late, but I'd given up on the page ever loading. This, from the Dallas Morning News (the district is in several Dallas suburbs):

If Ellzey holds his lead, it will be a major defeat for former President Donald Trump, who endorsed Wright over the objections of several major Texas Republicans, including former Texas Gov. Rick Perry.

Trump is perceived to be the leader of the Republican Party, both nationally and locally. The Congressional District 6 race was a test of his political clout in his post presidency.

“He would have been better off staying neutral,” said former U.S. Rep. Joe Barton, an Ellzey supported [sic] who represented District 6 for 34 years and was optimistic about the early results. “Jake is not anti-Trump. He’s a strong conservative.”

Meanwhile the Texas GOP is as devoted to Trump as Gym Jordan or Kevin McCarthy ever were, and that's what's driving Abbott's actions on the border, on masks, on voting restrictions.  This may have some effect in Texas politics, albeit not immediately.

And Ellzey, knowing Democrats make up a significant part of the district’s vote, and were perhaps turned off by Trump’s endorsement of Wright, reached out for Democratic voter support in the final weekend of the campaign.

The cherry on the sundae.