Updated · Letters from an American | Heather Cox Richardson · Jun 29
James Talarico Accepts Texas Senate Nomination, Casting 2026 Race as Fight Against Billionaire Donors
Updated
Updated · Letters from an American | Heather Cox Richardson · Jun 29
James Talarico Accepts Texas Senate Nomination, Casting 2026 Race as Fight Against Billionaire Donors
3 articles · Updated · Letters from an American | Heather Cox Richardson · Jun 29
Summary
June 26 at the Texas Democratic Convention in Corpus Christi, James Talarico formally accepted the party’s U.S. Senate nomination and framed November’s race as a bid to “make Texas big again.”
Barbara Jordan’s legacy anchored the speech as Talarico cast himself as an eighth-generation Texan defending democracy and accused “billionaire megadonors” of buying the state’s politics and dividing voters.
Ken Paxton was his main target: Talarico called the Republican nominee “the most corrupt politician in America” and tied him to job-killing tariffs, school voucher pushes, weaker healthcare and attacks on voting rights.
The speech also tried to widen his appeal beyond Democrats, citing the bipartisan impeachment of Paxton and invoking Sam Houston’s call to “do right, and risk the consequences.”
As Texas's economy booms, what unseen pressures could threaten the state's prosperity after the November election?
With campaigns using personal attacks, how can voters judge who is better prepared to govern the state?
As record undisclosed money enters politics, how will new voting laws shape the election's outcome?
Texas 2026 Senate Race: Talarico vs. Paxton, Super PAC Spending, and the Battle for Independent Voters
Overview
The 2026 Texas U.S. Senate race between Democrat James Talarico and Republican Ken Paxton is one of the nation’s most competitive contests, with polls showing a neck-and-neck battle. Talarico stands out for his strong support among independent voters, capturing 40% compared to Paxton’s 12%, while a large portion of independents remain undecided. This advantage with independents, along with a significant lead among Hispanic voters, could be pivotal in a state known for its partisan divides. The outcome will likely hinge on how both candidates mobilize key demographics and sway undecided voters in this high-stakes election.