Archive · 7 Oct 2026
Texas Republicans Face Unity Test in Competitive Paxton-Talarico Senate Race
Texas is preparing for an important Senate election.
Republican Ken Paxton is running against Democrat James Talarico.
Polls mentioned in the article show the race is close.
Paxton won his party’s primary after a difficult contest with Senator John Cornyn.
That primary showed that Texas Republicans do not all agree about Paxton.
Talarico hopes to win votes from independents and some Republicans as well as Democrats.
Both parties are spending heavily on campaign advertising.
Early voting starts October 19, and the election is November 3.
Republican Ken Paxton is challenging Democrat James Talarico in a closely watched Texas Senate race.
Recent polls cited in the article show Talarico narrowly ahead or the race effectively tied.
Paxton won a bruising Republican primary against longtime Senator John Cornyn, exposing divisions within the party.
Talarico is emphasizing economic issues and seeking support from independents and Republicans dissatisfied with Paxton.
Early voting begins October 19, and Election Day is November 3.
- Who
- Republican Ken Paxton and Democrat James Talarico.
- What
- A closely watched Texas Senate contest that is testing Republican unity and Democrats’ ability to build a statewide coalition.
- When
- The 2026 midterm election; early voting begins October 19 and Election Day is November 3.
- Where
- Texas.
- Why
- The race could affect the parties’ hold on the Senate seat and test whether Republicans can reunite after a divisive primary.
Talarico and Democratic campaign
Paxton and Republican campaign
Building voter support
Talarico and Democratic campaign
Talarico is emphasizing economic issues and his personal background while seeking support from independents and Republicans dissatisfied with Paxton.
Paxton and Republican campaign
Some Republican voters support Paxton because of his conservative positions and alignment with President Donald Trump.
Party unity
Talarico and Democratic campaign
Talarico is seeking to make divisions exposed by the Republican primary part of his campaign.
Paxton and Republican campaign
Paxton needs to unite establishment conservatives, Trump-aligned voters, and Republicans concerned about party unity.
Statewide prospects
Talarico and Democratic campaign
Democrats see opportunities from demographic and political changes and hope to turn suburban and independent gains into a statewide coalition.
Paxton and Republican campaign
Republicans point to their statewide advantages and aim to reinforce their hold on Texas.
- Republican candidate
- Ken Paxton, Texas attorney general
- Democratic candidate
- James Talarico, a state representative
- Republican primary
- Paxton defeated longtime Senator John Cornyn
- Polling
- Recent polls put Talarico narrowly ahead or show the race effectively tied
- Campaign spending
- Republican-aligned groups and Democratic organizations have invested heavily in advertising
- Early voting
- Begins October 19
- Election Day
- November 3