The 2026 Texas Senate race: James Talarico vs. Ken Paxton

Talarico continued to press questions about Paxton's conduct. In August he asked a court to unseal two depositions given by Paxton, arguing that they could raise ethical questions.^[12] In October, The Wall Street Journal reported that Paxton had spent New Year's Eve 2024 in Dubai with his girlfriend and two Americans indicted on federal health care fraud charges who had not returned to the United States.^[13]

Talarico's religious views also drew scrutiny. The Daily Wire published audio in which he credited Islamic mystics as an influence on his Christian faith.^[14] Conservative reporting described video of his church promoting an inclusive Bible translation that removes gendered language for God.^[15] At an October CNN and Jubilee town hall, he said his remark that "God is nonbinary" had been an attempt at "being provocative," and a voter challenged his claim that the Bible is silent on abortion.^[16][17]

A separate dispute concerned broadcast interviews. In September, Jimmy Kimmel said his interview with Talarico would appear on YouTube instead of ABC, citing threats from the Federal Communications Commission.^[18] FCC Chairman Brendan Carr accused Talarico of running a hoax to attract attention and donations, and defended the equal-time rule.^[19]

Fundraising and outside spending were major features of the campaign. Talarico's campaign reported raising $30 million from April through June, more than triple Paxton's sum, and $64 million in the third quarter, described as a record for that period.^[4][5] Trump-aligned MAGA Inc. committed $10 million to Texas advertising, and the Senate Leadership Fund, which had opposed Paxton in the primary, also began general election ad spending for him.^[7][20] October reports described major support from Elon Musk, including $158 million for Senate Leadership Fund, which backs Republican Senate candidates across the country.^[21]

Republican support for Paxton remained divided. Trump promised campaign help, but a September fundraiser involving Cornyn and former President George W. Bush benefited six other Republican Senate candidates.^[6][22] Leaked audio captured Paxton blaming the party's midterm convention for weaker polling; his campaign called the recording manipulated.^[23] In another recording he complained that Cornyn wanted him to lose.^[24] Vice President JD Vance rallied for Paxton in Tyler in October, and Trump attacked Cornyn and strategist Karl Rove for failing to support the nominee.^[25][26]

Polling varied by firm and date. A Fox News poll reported in July put Talarico ahead by three points; an Emerson poll in August put Paxton ahead by one; and a Marist poll reported in September put Talarico ahead by six.^[27][28][29] At his October town hall, Talarico sought support from moderate and undecided voters.^[30] In mid-October, a CBS News poll called the race a toss-up,^[31] the US Chamber of Commerce endorsed Paxton,^[32] and Neil Bush, a brother of former President George W. Bush, said he had voted for Talarico.^[33] In late October, a Fox News poll showed the race heading for a photo finish,^[8] and an Emerson College poll put Talarico ahead 48% to 46%, reversing Paxton's lead in its August survey.^[9] Elon Musk endorsed Paxton after spending millions to support him, and Talarico answered with an ad calling the spending an attempt to "buy" a senator.^[34] Thomas J. Henry, a prominent Texas lawyer who had given more than $600,000 to a pro-Paxton PAC, endorsed Talarico.^[35]

Trump returned to Texas in the last week, appearing in Corpus Christi and Lubbock,^[36] and the AP reported that the Iran war was damaging Republican hopes.^[37] Days before the vote Talarico said he would want to work with Trump on a bipartisan "Make America Great Again" agenda.^[38] He won on November 3, becoming the first Democrat from Texas to win a US Senate race since 1988,^[1][39] and Democrat Gina Hinojosa won the governor's race the same night.^[2] Talarico later met Sen. John Cornyn to discuss the transition, and Cornyn said Talarico would have an "interesting time navigating a red state as a Democrat."^[40]