Talarico Says Paxton Clips Past Remarks to Distract From Corruption as Texas Senate Race Turns Costly
Updated
Updated · CBS New York · May 27
Talarico Says Paxton Clips Past Remarks to Distract From Corruption as Texas Senate Race Turns Costly
3 articles · Updated · CBS New York · May 27
Hours after Republicans nominated Ken Paxton, James Talarico said some past transgender-policy remarks “missed the mark” but accused Paxton of selectively using them to divert attention from ethics scandals.
Talarico cast affordability as the race’s central issue, saying Texans are being squeezed by groceries, gas, housing, childcare and drugs while Paxton offers culture-war fights instead of solutions.
Texas Democrats are betting Paxton’s nomination opens a path in a state they have not won in a Senate race since 1988, and Cook shifted the contest to Lean Republican.
Fundraising and control of the chamber now loom large: Talarico raised $27 million in the first quarter, Republicans hold 53 Senate seats, and Democrats need a net gain of 4.
With one candidate campaigning on ethics and the other on ideology, what will ultimately decide this pivotal Senate race?
Does record-breaking small-dollar fundraising signal a new path to victory in a state with deep-rooted political traditions?
Texas 2026 Senate Showdown: Ken Paxton vs. James Talarico—Scandal, Trump’s Influence, and the Battle for a Red State
Overview
The 2026 Texas U.S. Senate race features Republican Ken Paxton, who won the primary runoff with strong support from Donald Trump, against Democrat James Talarico, who secured his party’s nomination in March. This matchup has drawn major national attention, as Democrats see it as their best chance in years to win in traditionally Republican Texas. After Paxton’s victory, Talarico welcomed supporters of defeated Senator John Cornyn, aiming to build a broader coalition. The race is seen as highly competitive, with both parties focusing resources on what could be a pivotal contest for the Senate.