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Texas Senate Race Intensifies as Paxton and Talarico Rally Support
· Confirmed
In Short: Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, the Republican nominee for U.S. Senate, warned that his race against Democrat James Talarico is the most challenging of his political career, emphasizing the need for high Republican turnout.
Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, the Republican nominee for U.S. Senate, warned that his race against Democrat James Talarico is the most challenging of his political career, emphasizing the need for high Republican turnout.
Paxton criticized Talarico for changing positions frequently, saying, “Because this guy literally has changed every single position, not just a little bit, but 180 degrees to my position.” He also highlighted the importance of voter enthusiasm, comparing the current political climate to the 2018 midterms when Democrat Beto O’Rourke narrowly lost to Republican Ted Cruz.
Paxton has been campaigning across Texas on a bus tour, making appearances with President Donald Trump and Vice President JD Vance. He stressed the importance of rural communities and key suburban counties in securing Republican support.
Paxton criticized Talarico’s previous positions on a state income tax, the cattle industry, and oil and gas production, stating, “We’re not talking about handouts. We’re talking about letting people keep more of their money.”
Talarico, meanwhile, held a rally in Fort Worth, targeting wealthy donors and criticizing the influence of money in politics. He said, “We have an affordability crisis because we have a corruption crisis.”
The race has become one of the most expensive in the country, with over $563 million spent on advertising between the primary and general elections, according to AdImpact. Billionaire Elon Musk has joined Trump’s effort to stop Talarico’s advance, calling him a “lunatic left” on his social media platform X.
Talarico’s campaign has also drawn support from Rep. Jasmine Crockett (D-TX), who said, “Winning this campaign is my job as the Democratic nominee, and we’re grateful for the Congresswoman’s support.” Crockett added that despite Talarico’s efforts, it may not be enough to win.
Paxton highlighted affordability as a central campaign priority, proposing tax cuts for first- and second-time homebuyers, medical expense deductions, and doubling the child tax credit.
What this adds
The race has intensified with both candidates drawing large crowds and making aggressive campaign stops. Talarico’s campaign has also drawn support from Rep. Jasmine Crockett, who previously focused on other races in the state.
The influence of wealthy donors and the role of money in politics has become a significant issue in the race, with Talarico targeting Paxton and billionaire Elon Musk over their alleged influence.
Background
Texas Democrats are stepping up their efforts to win the Senate race, with candidate James Talarico drawing large crowds at a recent rally in Lubbock, a city known for its Republican leanings.
What's confirmed
- Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, the Republican nominee for U.S. Senate, warned that his race against Democrat James Talarico is the most challenging of his political career, emphasizing the need for high Republican turnout.
- Paxton criticized Talarico for changing positions frequently, saying, “Because this guy literally has changed every single position, not just a little bit, but 180 degrees to my position.” He also highlighted the importance of voter enthusiasm, comparing the current political climate to the 2018 midterms when Democrat Beto O’Rourke narrowly lost to Republican Ted Cruz.
- Paxton has been campaigning across Texas on a bus tour, making appearances with President Donald Trump and Vice President JD Vance. He stressed the importance of rural communities and key suburban counties in securing Republican support.
- The race has become one of the most expensive in the country, with over $563 million spent on advertising between the primary and general elections, according to AdImpact. Billionaire Elon Musk has joined Trump’s effort to stop Talarico’s advance, calling him a “lunatic left” on his social media platform X.
- Talarico’s campaign has also drawn support from Rep. Jasmine Crockett (D-TX), who said, “Winning this campaign is my job as the Democratic nominee, and we’re grateful for the Congresswoman’s support.” Crockett added that despite Talarico’s efforts, it may not be enough to win.
- Paxton highlighted affordability as a central campaign priority, proposing tax cuts for first- and second-time homebuyers, medical expense deductions, and doubling the child tax credit.
What's still developing
- “The key has been to try to tell people the truth about what he actually believes, what he actually votes for, what he actually has said over the last 10 years,” Paxton explained.
- “We’re tied. We’ve got the ball, and if we execute, if our people actually take this seriously and they understand the difference between a Marxist, somebody who believes in free markets, they understand the difference between somebody that is a constitutional conservative versus somebody that is an anti-constitutional guy, then we will win the game,” Paxton said.
- "They have spent, so far, $368 million just against one man, the next senator from the state of Texas, James Talarico. That's how desperate, how scared and how panicked they are right now," O'Rourke told supporters.
- "Talarico is lunatic left," Musk wrote on his social media platform, X, to his 241 million followers, part of a drumbeat of attacks he's posted against the candidate in the race's final days.
- Not ceding the stage to the presidential spotlight, Talarico was in Amarillo, where he assailed a "broken, corrupt" political system.
- Appearing on Breitbart News Saturday with Washington Bureau Chief Matthew Boyle, Paxton characterized the race as highly competitive and stressed the importance of Republican turnout.