Stephen Colbert invited State Representative James Telerico, a rising Democratic star in Texas, to his show, reflecting a common Democratic optimism about winning in traditionally Republican states. However, networks must adhere to the equal time rule, which mandates balanced representation. Colbert’s network denied the invitation, citing the rule and past imbalances in Colbert’s guest selection, which favored Democrats significantly. This incident highlights the political dynamics and media bias in the lead-up to the 2026 US Senate race in Texas.