Cruz bridges gap for Paxton in tight Texas Senate race
Sen. Ted Cruz is actively supporting Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton’s Senate campaign by facilitating events and offering strategic advice, despite Cruz’s own uncertain political future. This collaboration helps Paxton overcome outreach challenges with Hispanic business leaders, a key demographic in the tight race against Democrat James Talarico.
Key points
- Cruz helped connect Paxton with the U.S. Hispanic Business Council, enabling Paxton to attend a town hall event last week.
- Javier Palomarez, the council’s president, noted that his own background as a Democrat and ally of Paxton’s primary rival, Sen. John Cornyn, made direct outreach difficult.
- Cruz is providing fundraising support and advice to Paxton while weighing his own political options.
- The Texas Senate race remains a close toss-up, with Democratic nominee James Talarico holding a slight polling lead.
- Cruz previously urged moderate Republicans to support Paxton after a contentious primary, citing the impact of attack ads on the outcome.
Background
The Texas Senate race has been marked by internal Republican tensions since the primary, where Paxton faced significant backlash. In September, Cruz urged moderates to support Paxton, noting that approximately $200 million in attack ads influenced the closer-than-expected result. Recently, Paxton’s wife, State Sen. Angela Paxton, released an ad urging support for the entire Republican ticket while avoiding mention of her estranged husband, highlighting ongoing challenges within the GOP. The race is considered a tight toss-up, with Talarico leading in recent polls in a state that has not lost a statewide election since 1994.
Why it matters
Cruz’s involvement is critical for Paxton’s ability to connect with diverse voter groups, particularly Hispanic business leaders, in a competitive race. By leveraging Cruz’s influence, Paxton can mitigate the damage from his primary controversy and strengthen his campaign’s outreach in a pivotal state. This dynamic also underscores the complex relationships within the Texas Republican Party as they navigate the 2026 elections.
What to watch
Cruz’s continued support will likely shape Paxton’s campaign strategy in the final months before the November 3 election. The outcome of the Texas Senate race will be closely watched as an indicator of broader Republican unity and voter sentiment in a key swing state.
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