Paxton and Talarico Clash in Texas Senate Race as 2 Populist Playbooks Collide
Updated
Updated · CNN · May 31
Paxton and Talarico Clash in Texas Senate Race as 2 Populist Playbooks Collide
5 articles · Updated · CNN · May 31
Ken Paxton and James Talarico have quickly framed Texas’s Senate race as a test of GOP cultural populism against Democratic economic populism after Paxton’s primary win over John Cornyn.
Paxton is attacking Talarico over immigration, transgender rights and religion, while Talarico is casting Paxton’s scandals and ties to wealthy donors as proof Republicans rigged the economy against working families.
2.6 points separated Ted Cruz and Beto O’Rourke in 2018, and analysts expect the most competitive Texas statewide race since then, though most still see Paxton as the favorite because the Democratic brand remains weak in Texas.
45% of Texas voters approved of Trump in an April University of Texas survey, while twice as many said the economy was worse than a year earlier, giving Democrats a better climate to run on costs even as Republicans retain cultural advantages.
56% in the Texas Triangle and a restored 2-to-1 margin in south Texas could give Talarico a path, but Latino cultural backlash, GOP rural strength and skepticism from college-educated Republicans leave him needing a narrow upset route.
When a candidate's legal scandals clash with cultural appeals, how do voters decide what truly matters?
Inside the $300 Million Texas Senate Race: Paxton vs. Talarico and the Battle for Senate Control in 2026
Overview
The Texas Senate race has become a high-stakes showdown between Republican Attorney General Ken Paxton and Democratic State Representative James Talarico. Paxton secured the Republican nomination after a runoff victory against Senator John Cornyn, boosted by a strong endorsement from President Trump. On the Democratic side, Talarico won the nomination outright in March, defeating Jasmine Crockett. This matchup is set to be one of the most expensive Senate races in U.S. history, with combined primary spending already breaking records. The contest reflects intense national interest and highlights shifting voter sentiment and campaign strategies in Texas.