Author Casey McQuiston has reacted with excitement after Democrats recorded major victories in Texas during the 2026 US midterm elections, bringing back memories of a political storyline featured in their bestselling novel, Red, White & Royal Blue.
The November 3 election results marked a significant moment for Democrats in Texas, a state that has traditionally been dominated by Republicans. Among the major developments, Democrat James Talarico defeated Republican Ken Paxton in the Senate race, making history as the first Democrat to win a Texas Senate seat since 1988.
Another major upset came in the gubernatorial election, where Democrat Gina Hinojosa defeated incumbent Greg Abbott to become Texas’ first Latina governor.
The outcome attracted particular attention from McQuiston because it closely reflected an idea explored in their 2019 novel, which imagined Texas turning Democratic and helping a female Democratic president secure another term in office.
In the book, the president’s son, Alex Claremont-Diaz, develops a political strategy known as the ‘Texas Binder’. The 14-page document outlines how Democrats could win over Texas, traditionally considered a Republican stronghold.
Following the election victories, McQuiston took to social media to celebrate the unexpected connection between fiction and real-life politics. Responding to a post featuring actor Taylor Zakhar Perez, who played Alex in the film adaptation, the author wrote: “It was all in the binder.”
McQuiston also shared a humorous meme featuring Kuzco from The Emperor’s New Groove, accompanied by the message, “Blexas not so silly now, is it.” The expression ‘Blexas’ combines the words blue and Texas and has become a popular way of describing the possibility of the state shifting towards Democratic control.
Beyond the celebrations, the author encouraged supporters to pay greater attention to progressive politicians working in traditionally Republican areas, particularly across southern states.
McQuiston also recalled a line from the novel, saying they had not simply imagined the possibility of a Democratic Texas but had drawn inspiration from what they observed around them.
Published in 2019, Red, White & Royal Blue tells the romantic story of Alex Claremont-Diaz, the bisexual son of America’s first female president, and Prince Henry of Wales. Their relationship begins after a public disagreement forces them to pretend to be friends, but the arrangement eventually develops into romance.
The novel became a New York Times bestseller and won two Goodreads Choice Awards in 2019, including Best Debut and Best Romance.
Its popularity later led to a 2023 film adaptation released on Prime Video, featuring Taylor Zakhar Perez and Nicholas Galitzine in the lead roles, while Uma Thurman portrayed President Ellen Claremont.
A follow-up film, titled Red, White & Royal Wedding, has also completed filming, with the original lead actors returning. It is currently awaiting its release date on Prime Video.
