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Dueling rallies thrust deep-red Lone Star town into the center of the political universe
Confirmed
In Short: The FEC site showed Bush’s name as the source, the recipient as Lone Star Rising PAC, and the date as September 23, 2026.
Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton and Democratic challenger James Talarico held dueling rallies in Lubbock, Texas, as the race for the U.S. Senate intensified.
Trump supporters began camping out at Lubbock’s Civic Center as early as Monday night, calling the event a 'once-in-a-lifetime experience,' according to Fox News.
Supporters of both candidates expressed confidence in their respective candidates' chances of winning. A Paxton supporter from Milton said, 'It’s gonna stay red, absolutely,' emphasizing the importance of preserving Texas’ traditional values, such as gun rights and opposition to abortion.
Meanwhile, Talarico supporters saw Trump’s appearance alongside Paxton as a sign of Republican nervousness. 'Paxton is going to wipe the floor with him,' said Eric, a Lubbock resident, predicting a Republican win.
Paxton’s campaign was reportedly dealt a blow by Trump’s appearance, as revealed in a leaked tape where Paxton admitted his efforts to hold the deep-red seat were compromised. A Paxton campaign spokesman called the report 'manipulated nonsense,' but did not deny the remarks.
The race has attracted significant financial backing, with tech investors, unions, and billionaires contributing to the contest. VoteHub, a political media organization, estimates that early votes and mail votes so far tilt toward Talarico.
Neil Bush, the son of former President George H.W. Bush, donated $2,500 to Lone Star Rising, a PAC supporting Talarico. Bush explained on Facebook that his vote was motivated by concern over Paxton's record and admiration for Talarico's principles.
The FEC site showed Bush’s name as the source, the recipient as Lone Star Rising PAC, and the date as September 23, 2026. 'She didn’t give it to a [501] (c)(4), in which her contribution would have been completely anonymous. She gave it to a PAC that reports all the money in and out,' explained a spokesperson.
MAGA Inc. is spending $10 million on TV and digital ads in the race, targeting Talarico. 'I think I have, like, close to a billion dollars in the super PAC, and I’m allocating probably $400 or $500 million. So I’ll be spending, we’ll be spending,' said a spokesperson.
The race could help decide which political party takes control of the U.S. Senate for the second half of President Donald Trump’s term. 'to build progressive power in more than 20 states,' said a spokesperson.
The event in Lubbock highlighted the deep political divisions in Texas, with supporters from both sides expressing strong views and rallying behind their candidates.
What's confirmed
- Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton and Democratic challenger James Talarico held dueling rallies in Lubbock, Texas, as the race for the U.S. Senate intensified.
- Trump supporters began camping out at Lubbock’s Civic Center as early as Monday night, calling the event a 'once-in-a-lifetime experience,' according to Fox News.
- Supporters of both candidates expressed confidence in their respective candidates' chances of winning. A Paxton supporter from Milton said, 'It’s gonna stay red, absolutely,' emphasizing the importance of preserving Texas’ traditional values, such as gun rights and opposition to abortion.
- Meanwhile, Talarico supporters saw Trump’s appearance alongside Paxton as a sign of Republican nervousness. 'Paxton is going to wipe the floor with him,' said Eric, a Lubbock resident, predicting a Republican win.
- Paxton’s campaign was reportedly dealt a blow by Trump’s appearance, as revealed in a leaked tape where Paxton admitted his efforts to hold the deep-red seat were compromised. A Paxton campaign spokesman called the report 'manipulated nonsense,' but did not deny the remarks.
- The race has attracted significant financial backing, with tech investors, unions, and billionaires contributing to the contest. VoteHub, a political media organization, estimates that early votes and mail votes so far tilt toward Talarico.
- Neil Bush, the son of former President George H.W. Bush, donated $2,500 to Lone Star Rising, a PAC supporting Talarico. Bush explained on Facebook that his vote was motivated by concern over Paxton's record and admiration for Talarico's principles.
- The FEC site showed Bush’s name as the source, the recipient as Lone Star Rising PAC, and the date as September 23, 2026. 'She didn’t give it to a [501] (c)(4), in which her contribution would have been completely anonymous. She gave it to a PAC that reports all the money in and out,' explained a spokesperson.
- MAGA Inc. is spending $10 million on TV and digital ads in the race, targeting Talarico. 'I think I have, like, close to a billion dollars in the super PAC, and I’m allocating probably $400 or $500 million. So I’ll be spending, we’ll be spending,' said a spokesperson.
- The race could help decide which political party takes control of the U.S. Senate for the second half of President Donald Trump’s term. 'to build progressive power in more than 20 states,' said a spokesperson.
- The event in Lubbock highlighted the deep political divisions in Texas, with supporters from both sides expressing strong views and rallying behind their candidates.
What's still developing
- "I think they have to be nervous, and I think it’s performative, like to come the exact same day as he is here," she said.
- "All they’ve got is the ability to try and make people think that it’s close and there is no point in voting." "No, it’s not close," Jenny added.
- "He had a chance to kind of redeem himself despite his ugly past, but he’s not a man, he can’t stand up for himself. He needs daddy Trump to come and support him."
- "This is the year that we flip blue. We are definitely going to flip the state."
- "I want to make sure that we are keeping our guns, we are keeping our safety, keeping abortion as far away from Texas and do everything we can to keep Texas, Texas."
- That winter “was the first time in my entire life that I didn’t go back to school,” said the former English professor, holding back tears.
- “The chances that I ever have tenure-track employment again doesn’t seem likely.” She’s one of the more than 600 people who had their lives upended in the wake of Kirk’s assassination, when a free-speech crackdown led by the Trump administration sought revenge on anyone critical of the deceased far-right podcaster.
- “NBC is trying to smear that juror,” DeSantis wrote Friday in a post on X.
- Of the six governments that signed it, five are governed by the BJP, while Himachal is the lone Congress-ruled state.
- Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu has described the agreement on the proposed 422-MW Kishau multipurpose dam project as a “milestone” for the state, saying his government has protected the state’s interests by ensuring that it would not bear any financial burden for the Rs 15,624-crore project.
- Shaw, a pollster and political scientist at the University of Texas at Austin, told The Epoch Times.
- Mike Daniels (“Sons of Anarchy”) and Wolfe Coleman (“9-1-1: Lone Star”) will write and serve as co-showrunners on the project, which was first announced at NBCUniversal’s Upfront event back in May.