Texas Senate Race: Fundraising, Border Tour and Political Attacks Shape Campaign AUSTIN – The Senate race between Republican Attorney General Ken Paxton and Democrat state Rep. James Talarico has intensified in recent weeks, with significant developments emerging in fundraising, political strategy, and public engagement. Talarico’s campaign reported raising $30 million during the second quarter, more than triple Paxton’s $9 million, marking a stark contrast in financial support. This surge in donations for Talarico, who previously raised $27 million in the first three months of the year, highlights his focus on lowering costs and fighting corruption. Paxton’s campaign, however, framed the donations as evidence of enthusiasm for sending a “proven conservative fighter” to Washington. The fundraising gap has drawn attention from prominent Republicans, including Sen. Ted Cruz, who warned his party not to underestimate Talarico’s viability. During an appearance on Sean Hannity’s radio show, Cruz emphasized that the Democrat “has a real chance” to flip the Senate seat. He acknowledged Talarico’s appeal, describing him as charming and affable, but cautioned that some voters may be unaware of his “too extreme” policy positions. Cruz predicted Paxton’s victory, a sentiment echoed by Gov. Greg Abbott, who called Talarico “very beatable once Texans get to know who he really is.” Talarico’s campaign has also shifted focus to grassroots outreach with a 750-mile “Frontera Tour” starting in El Paso. The initiative, which includes town halls, church visits, and policy announcements, aims to connect with border communities that have been overlooked by both parties.#ken_paxton #james_talarico #governor_greg_abbott #sen_ted_cruz #waco_attorney_adam_hoffman
James Talarico Promises Government Reform in El Paso Campaign Stop Texas Democratic Senate nominee James Talarico addressed a crowd of over 1,000 people in El Paso on July 11, 2026, vowing to end what he called “30 years of one-party rule” in Texas. Speaking at a town hall event at the Plaza Theatre in Downtown El Paso, Talarico framed his campaign as part of a broader movement to “take back our state and take back our country.” He emphasized that the November 3 general election would mark a pivotal moment, with voters poised to “do something extraordinary” by electing a Democrat to the U.S. Senate for the first time since 1988. Talarico, 37, is running against Republican Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, 63, in a race that has become a focal point of national political discourse. The contest is part of a larger battle for Senate control, with 35 seats up for grabs in the 2026 midterm elections. Talarico’s campaign, which includes a 750-mile “Frontera Tour” through Texas, has stops planned in Marfa, Eagle Pass, Del Rio, Laredo, and McAllen. His El Paso event was the third stop on the tour, following earlier appearances in October and February. The race has been marked by intense personal attacks. Talarico, who defeated Rep. Jasmine Crockett in the Democratic primary, has labeled Paxton the “most corrupt politician in America,” focusing his campaign on anti-corruption measures, government reform, and social issues. Paxton, in turn, has mocked Talarico’s progressive stances, dubbing him “Tala-freako.” The rivalry intensified after Paxton’s 2025 victory over longtime Republican incumbent John Cornyn, a win that followed his endorsement by former President Donald Trump. Talarico’s platform centers on dismantling systemic corruption, with a proposed first bill targeting corporate influence in politics.#texas #ken_paxton #james_talarico #el_paso #plaza_theatre
Talarico Unveils Border Security Plan, Criticizes Biden Policies and Trump's Big Bend Wall James Talarico, the Democratic candidate for U.S. Senate in Texas, unveiled his border security plan during a campaign stop in Terrell County, emphasizing a “common-sense” approach to address what he called a critical weakness for Democrats. The proposal includes hiring more Border Patrol agents, expanding surveillance technology, and adding immigration judges to reduce the asylum backlog. Talarico also advocated for focusing Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) resources on individuals posing serious public-safety threats rather than on families, children, and longtime residents without criminal records. Talarico’s plan directly criticized both former President Joe Biden’s border policies and President Trump’s proposed $1.7 billion wall through the environmentally sensitive Big Bend region. He labeled the Trump administration’s project a “monument to corruption,” calling it “useless” and accusing it of being the result of “no-bid contracts and backroom deals.” He argued the wall would be built in the least-trafficked section of the southern border and through a sacred part of Texas, making it an unnecessary and costly endeavor. While not opposed to border walls in principle, Talarico stressed that resources should be directed to areas where physical barriers are “actually needed.” Talarico’s criticism of Biden’s policies centered on the administration’s handling of migrant encounters, which reached historic levels during his tenure, often exceeding 2 million annually. Republican critics attributed this surge to Biden’s rollback of Trump-era restrictions like “Remain in Mexico.#ice #border_patrol #ken_paxton #james_talarico #terrell_county
James Talarico's Border Security Plan: Emphasizing Technology and Staffing Over Physical Barriers Texas Democratic Senate candidate James Talarico unveiled a border security strategy on Monday that prioritizes surveillance technology and expanded staffing over the construction of physical barriers. The plan, which has garnered support from three rural border sheriffs—including a Republican—calls for hiring more border patrol agents to apprehend undocumented crossers and increasing the number of immigration judges to expedite asylum claims. Talarico acknowledged the necessity of physical barriers in densely populated border regions but explicitly opposed their construction in Texas’ rugged Big Bend area, citing the impracticality of building fencing on such terrain. The Democrat, running against Republican Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton in the November 3 election, framed his approach as a bipartisan solution to border security challenges. During a campaign stop in Terrell County, Talarico criticized both parties for failing to address border issues effectively. “I have said that Joe Biden and his administration failed us on our southern border,” he stated, adding that most Texans and Americans seek a “common-sense approach” to security. His remarks were echoed by Terrell County Sheriff Thaddeus Cleveland, a Republican who previously served as a Border Patrol agent for 26 years. Cleveland, who supported Governor Greg Abbott’s border crackdown during the Biden administration, praised Talarico’s plan as aligning with his own priorities. Cleveland emphasized the natural barriers along the Rio Grande, including cliffs up to 1,500 feet high, which he described as “God-made” defenses.#border_patrol #ken_paxton #james_talarico #governor_greg_abbott #thaddeus_cleveland
Poll: Paxton and Talarico are virtually tied in Senate race A new poll released by the Texas Politics Project at the University of Texas at Austin has found Republican Attorney General Ken Paxton and Democratic state Rep. James Talarico are nearly tied in the race for the U.S. Senate, with Paxton leading 43% to 42% in a survey of 1,200 registered voters conducted between June 5 and 12. The 3.5-point margin of error underscores a highly competitive race, as the results align with earlier polls showing a tight contest since the general election nominees were finalized last month. This marks a significant shift from an earlier survey by the same pollster in April, where Paxton trailed Talarico by 8 percentage points. The latest poll, conducted three weeks after Paxton secured the Republican nomination by defeating U.S. Sen. John Cornyn in the GOP runoff, highlights a dramatic change in Republican voter sentiment. While 84% of Republicans now support Paxton—a 21-point increase from the April survey—his overall support has risen to 43%, up 9 points from April. Talarico’s support remains steady at 42%, with 5% of Republicans indicating they would back him. The poll also reveals that Talarico holds commanding leads among independents and moderates, though more than a third of independents have yet to form an opinion on the race. Talarico’s strategy has focused on appealing to Cornyn’s traditional Republican base, which remains skeptical of Paxton’s controversial history, as well as broader voter groups. Paxton, meanwhile, faces the challenge of minimizing potential GOP defections and ensuring strong turnout without President Donald Trump on the ballot. The race has also taken on a cultural dimension, with Paxton leading Talarico by 9 points among male voters.#university_of_texas_at_austin #john_cornyn #ken_paxton #james_talarico #governor_greg_abbott
Two Republican Lawmakers Shift Support to Ken Paxton in Texas Senate Race Two Republican members of the Texas House, Matt Shaheen of Prosper and Jeff Leach of Allen, have publicly endorsed Ken Paxton in his bid for the U.S. Senate, marking a significant shift from their earlier support for incumbent John Cornyn. The lawmakers, who had previously clashed with Paxton and backed Cornyn in the 2022 election, now assert that Republican voters have clearly favored Paxton in the primary race against Democratic State Representative James Talarico. Their statements reflect a broader realignment within the state’s Republican establishment as the November election approaches. Shaheen and Leach, both from Collin County—Paxton’s home district—highlighted their commitment to mobilizing the Republican base to secure Paxton’s victory. Shaheen emphasized that Paxton’s overwhelming primary win demonstrated his ability to energize voters, stating, “He won overwhelmingly in the primary. We need to motivate our base, make sure that the Republican base gets out.” Leach echoed this sentiment, noting that while primaries are a time for internal party debates, “once the slate is chosen, it’s incumbent upon us and for all Republicans to get out and support the ticket from the top to the bottom.” The lawmakers’ support for Paxton comes despite their role in the 2023 impeachment proceedings against the attorney general. Shaheen and Leach were among the 60 House Republicans who voted to impeach Paxton, with Leach serving as an impeachment manager during his Senate trial. Paxton was acquitted on all charges and denied any wrongdoing, leading to a contentious primary campaign where he targeted Shaheen and Leach.#john_cornyn #ken_paxton #james_talarico #matt_shaheen #jeff_leach
Democratic Rep. James Talarico Defends Abortion Rights Amid Religious and Political Debate Democratic Texas state Rep. and U.S. Senate candidate James Talarico recently reaffirmed his pro-abortion stance during an extended interview with podcaster Jamie Kern Lima, emphasizing his belief that the Bible does not prohibit abortion and that government should not regulate the procedure. Speaking on May 25, 2026, Talarico addressed his views as a Presbyterian seminarian, framing his position as rooted in faith rather than opposition to religious teachings. He argued that Christians should prioritize Scripture as a whole when grappling with complex moral issues like abortion, asserting that the Bible’s silence on the topic necessitates ethical determination rather than legal restrictions. Talarico criticized Texas’ abortion ban, claiming it denies women—particularly victims of rape and incest—access to reproductive healthcare. He reiterated his stance that “Texas women should make decisions about their own bodies,” rejecting government intervention in personal choices. This position contrasts with the views of Pope Francis and Pope Leo XIV, whom Talarico described as his “spiritual heroes” but whom he disagrees with on abortion. He accused the Catholic Church of failing to tolerate differing moral conclusions within faith communities, calling the current climate of debate “corrosive.” The congressman’s arguments drew criticism from scholars like Robert Gagnon, a visiting scholar at Wesley Biblical Seminary, who dismissed Talarico’s reliance on biblical silence as “juvenile hermeneutics.” Gagnon pointed out that the Bible’s absence of explicit references to abortion is no more significant than its lack of mention of other societal issues, such as infant exposure.#james_talarico #jamie_kern_lima #robert_gagnon #wesley_biblical_seminary #pope_francis
Election 2026: Contested Primary Races in Texas and Panhandle The Texas primary election took place on Tuesday, featuring key races for U.S. Senate, governor, lieutenant governor, attorney general, comptroller, and State House District 86. Among the most anticipated contests was the Republican Senate primary, where longtime Senator John Cornyn and MAGA-backed candidate Ken Paxton advanced to a May runoff. On the Democratic side, State Representative James Talarico maintained a narrow lead over U.S. Representative Jasmine Crockett in the same race. Republican Governor Greg Abbott and Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick secured their nominations without opposition, winning their respective primaries decisively. A notable upset occurred in the Agricultural Commissioner race, where incumbent Sid Miller lost to challenger Nate Sheets, a businessman known for founding the Nature Nate’s honey brand. Sheets will face goat farmer Clayton Tucker in the November general election. In the State House District 86 race, Holly Jeffreys defeated Jamie Haynes to claim the Republican nomination. The seat was previously held by John Smithee, who is retiring after nearly four decades in office. Jeffreys will now face Democrat Cullin Knutson, an Amarillo native, in the general election. The primary also saw significant changes on the Potter County Commission, with three of the five seats going to new candidates. Two commissioners running for re-election lost their bids, and longtime Judge Nancy Tanner chose not to seek a fourth term. Other local news included discussions about the Amarillo Parks and Recreation Board’s potential removal of thousands of prairie dogs from John Stiff Memorial Park due to concerns over the animals’ impact.#texas #john_cornyn #ken_paxton #james_talarico #jasmine_crockett
Key takeaways from first primaries of 2026 U.S. midterm elections Voters are poised to challenge multiple House incumbents in the 2026 midterms, but the race for Texas Senate seat remains a key focus. Four-term Senator John Cornyn(R-Texas) received a boost from primary voters, avoiding a potential defeat by Attorney General Ken Paxton in a May 26 runoff. While Paxton narrowly edged Cornyn in early voting, the outcome avoided a GOP nightmare scenario where Paxton could have secured an outright win. The Democratic Senate primary in Texas faced its own controversies. Representative Jasmine Crockett accused voters in Dallas County of being "disenfranchised" over polling place confusion and announced plans to sue. Despite her claims, she trailed state representative James Talarico by over 100,000 votes as of early Wednesday. Talarico, a Presbyterian seminarian, positioned himself as a candidate who could appeal to Trump voters by focusing on issues like opposing billionaires and challenging Big Pharma. National Republicans expressed concerns about Paxton’s potential impact in the general election, fearing he could force the party to invest heavily in a traditionally red state. The primary race between Cornyn and Paxton has already cost the GOP nearly $100 million, with both candidates vying for President Trump’s endorsement. Rep. Wesley Hunt(R-Texas) finished far behind in the race. The primary also highlighted challenges for older Democratic incumbents. Redistricting in Texas contributed to GOP Rep. Dan Crenshaw’s loss to state Rep. Steve Toth. In North Carolina, 69-year-old Democratic Rep. Valerie Foushee narrowly leads 32-year-old county commissioner Nida Allam in a race too close to call. A runoff is also likely for Texas Democratic Rep. Julie Johnson, who trails former Rep. Colin Allred by double digits.#john_cornyn #ken_paxton #james_talarico #valerie_foushee #colin_allred
Key Takeaways from First Primaries of 2026 U.S. Midterm Elections Voters are poised to challenge multiple House incumbents in the 2026 midterms, but the Republican Party found some relief as four-term Senator John Cornyn of Texas avoided a decisive defeat in his primary race against Attorney General Ken Paxton. The first round of primary elections highlighted both opportunities and challenges for both parties, with significant implications for the broader political landscape. In Texas, Cornyn’s performance in the Republican primary signaled a potential long battle for the May 26 runoff against Paxton, a conservative figure known for his fiery rhetoric. Cornyn’s strong showing, despite initial expectations of a closer contest, has set the stage for an expensive and contentious primary race. The race for Trump’s endorsement has already drawn heavy spending, with the GOP’s primary campaign costing nearly $100 million. Paxton, meanwhile, faces concerns from national Republicans about his viability in a general election matchup, as his primary victory could force the party to allocate resources to a traditionally red state. The Democratic primary in Texas’ Senate race also revealed tensions, as Rep. Jasmine Crockett accused voters of being “disenfranchised” due to confusion at polling places in Dallas County. Crockett, who trailed state Rep. James Talarico by over 100,000 votes, vowed to sue over the alleged irregularities. Talarico, a Presbyterian seminarian, positioned himself as a counter to Trump’s policies, emphasizing promises to challenge billionaires and Big Pharma. Despite significant outspending by Talarico’s campaign—$25 million to $5 million in ads—Crockett’s support from former Vice President Kamala Harris, who recorded a robocall praising her as a “fighter,” failed to secure her victory.#kamala_harris #john_cornyn #ken_paxton #james_talarico #julie_johnson
