All articles tagged with #texas senate
President Donald Trump visited Houston to back Ken Paxton’s U.S. Senate bid with a fundraising stop (and a NASA ceremony), as Paxton trails Democrat James Talarico in polls; Paxton’s ad spending trails Talarico’s despite a surge in Republican fundraising, and analysts say Trump’s willingness to spend via his MAGA Inc. and Never Surrender PACs could tilt the race.
Texas Democratic Senate candidate James Talarico will travel to Los Angeles for a fundraiser in Brentwood on Sept. 10, hosted by Lost co-creator Damon Lindelof and his wife Heidi. The event has a $500 entry level with prices up to $13,500, as Talarico competes with Republican Ken Paxton to succeed Sen. John Cornyn.
MAGA Inc., the Trump-aligned super PAC, added about $3 million in July and now holds over $403 million, but did not spend on any candidates or independent expenditures, including in Texas where Ken Paxton’s Senate race is effectively a toss-up; donors say only Trump can bankroll Paxton to defend Texas, while some prefer the money be spent on other races; the NRSC has not prioritized Texas, and Paxton’s path remains uncertain as polls tighten and national donors weigh where to invest.
Republican Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton acknowledged a challenging midterm environment and warned that holding Texas is essential to Republicans’ chances of controlling the Senate, as polls show Democrat James Talarico leading in a close race; Paxton pressed viewers on Fox News to donate, underscoring Texas’ pivotal role in the GOP’s prospects.
Democrat James Talarico leads Republican Ken Paxton 45% to 40% in a Texas Public Opinion Research poll of the U.S. Senate race, marking his largest advantage in the general-election period. The survey of 1,048 likely voters (July 15–17) shows Talarico ahead among independents and non-college-educated voters, while Paxton remains relatively stronger with white voters and GOP loyalists; the margin of error is ±3.4 percentage points, underscoring a still-close contest with many voters undecided as early voting approaches.
A New York Times/Siena poll shows Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton and state Rep. James Talarico tied at 47% in the U.S. Senate race, based on 656 likely voters with a margin of error about 4.5 percentage points. Paxton leads among men and white voters, while Talarico leads among women and Black and Hispanic voters; younger Texans tilt toward Talarico, and Paxton fares better with voters 45 and older. The results come after a UT/Texas Politics Project poll showing a close gap, underscoring sharp demographic splits that could shape the November contest.
Democrat James Talarico and Republican Ken Paxton are tied at 47% each among likely Texas voters in a New York Times/Siena poll for the open Senate seat, with 6% undecided. Gov. Greg Abbott leads Democrat Gina Hinojosa 51–44, and President Trump’s Texas approval remains underwater (44% approve, 53% disapprove). The survey of 656 likely voters (June 19–27) has a ±4.5-point margin of error. Talarico’s strong fundraising and Paxton’s bruising primary, plus GOP concerns about Paxton’s viability, keep Texas as a major battleground in the 2026 elections.
Dan Cogdell, the Houston attorney who defended Ken Paxton in his impeachment and securities-fraud cases, endorsed Democrat James Talarico for Texas’ U.S. Senate race, saying Paxton has lost sight of his duty to Texans and that unity across Democrats, independents and Republicans is needed. Talarico framed the endorsement as part of a broad, people-powered coalition; Paxton’s camp noted Cogdell’s Democratic ties and past donations, underscoring cross‑currents in a closely watched campaign.
The Texas Senate race pairs Republican Ken Paxton against Democrat James Talarico, with Paxton emphasizing cultural populism (immigration, crime, transgender issues) and Talarico pushing economic populism (cost of living, inflation). Despite favorable headwinds for Republicans, analysts expect Paxton to stay favored in a red-leaning state, but demographic shifts and rising cost concerns in urban areas could keep the contest competitive if turnout patterns in the Texas Triangle and South Texas tilt toward Democrats.
Texas Democratic Senate candidate James Talarico is actively courting Black voters who backed Jasmine Crockett in the primary, meeting with Black leaders, visiting HBCUs, and outlining policy priorities like maternal health. The effort underscores a broader push to unite Democrats across communities and mobilize voters of color, beyond appealing only to White swing voters. With Democrats having not won statewide in Texas since 1994, the campaign aims to build a broad coalition for the November race.
Democrat James Talarico’s campaign says it raised more than $3 million in the first 24 hours after Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton emerged as his Republican opponent in the U.S. Senate race, marking his largest single-day haul and signaling strong fundraising momentum as he aims to flip Texas for Democrats. The party is buoyed by a $27 million cash-on-hand total from Q1, while Paxton’s campaign reported about $2.2 million in the same period.
Trump, 79, opened the day with a rambling Truth Social post praising Ken Paxton’s Texas Senate win, then attacked Paxton’s opponent James Talarico, branding him Alfred E. Neuman and accusing him of issues from open borders to being weak on crime, while also firing at Democrats like Jasmine Crockett in the high-stakes Texas race.
Trump’s aggressive push to punish GOP incumbents is reshaping Capitol Hill politics: he endorsed Ken Paxton to challenge Sen. John Cornyn in Texas and helped oust Massie and Cassidy, sparking concern that revenge tactics could jeopardize the GOP’s Texas seat and complicate the party’s legislative agenda on immigration, defense and other policy battles, even as Democrats eye openings in Texas and beyond.
President Donald Trump endorsed Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton in the Republican Senate runoff against Sen. John Cornyn, giving Paxton a major boost as early voting continues. Trump praised Paxton’s MAGA-aligned positions, including ending the filibuster and backing the SAVE America Act, while noting Cornyn’s late support for him. The move follows months of ads from both camps and tight polling, with Democrats signaling Paxton as beatable. The outcome could influence down-ballot races and the broader Texas political landscape.
Democratic state Rep. James Talarico leads both Republican contenders in a new Texas Public Opinion Research poll of the U.S. Senate race, with 44% to 41% against Sen. John Cornyn and 46% to 41% against Attorney General Ken Paxton (margin of error ±2.5 percentage points; 1,865 likely general election voters). The poll, conducted April 17–20, finds Talarico’s support strongest among voters of color, college-educated Texans and independents, while Cornyn and Paxton trail in favorability. The race remains contestable as Republicans head to a May 26 runoff; Cook Political Report labels the seat likely Republican. The article also notes broader GOP and Democratic dynamics in Texas races, including Abbott’s lead in the governor’s race and upcoming runoff contests. A correction later clarified initial sample size and margin-of-error figures. This article originally appeared in The Texas Tribune.