Paxton Takes on Talarico: Texas Senate Race Heats Up for November
Paxton Takes on Talarico: Texas Senate Race Heats Up for November
The 2026 Texas U.S. Senate general election is shaping up to be one of the most competitive — and consequential — races in the country. Republican nominee Ken Paxton, the Texas Attorney General, is facing Democrat James Talarico in a battle that will test the strength of conservative values in the Lone Star State.
How We Got Here
Paxton secured the Republican nomination after defeating longtime incumbent Senator John Cornyn in the May 26 primary runoff — a decisive victory powered by a late endorsement from President Donald Trump and fueled by strong grassroots conservative support.
Talarico, a state representative from the Austin area, won the Democratic primary after defeating U.S. Representative Jasmine Crockett.
The Campaign Trail
At a recent campaign event in Fort Worth, Paxton went on the offensive, accusing Talarico of being hostile toward law enforcement and out of step with Texas values. Paxton has built his campaign on his record of:
- Fighting federal overreach through aggressive legal challenges
- Defending the border and supporting Texas’ right to secure its own territory
- Protecting Second Amendment rights and constitutional liberties
The Stakes
Recent polling shows the race is highly competitive, with some surveys describing it as a statistical dead heat. Talarico’s campaign announced a record-breaking $30 million fundraising quarter — more than tripling Paxton’s $9 million — signaling that national Democrats are pouring resources into the race.
This is exactly why every Republican vote in Bastrop County matters. The November 3 general election will determine whether Texas sends a proven conservative fighter or a liberal Austin Democrat to the U.S. Senate.
📺 Watch: Fox 26 Houston — Paxton Campaign Coverage
Sources: Fox 26 Houston, Texas Tribune, Ballotpedia
