Democratic candidate James Talarico leads Texas Senate race against Attorney General Ken Paxton
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James Talarico holds a polling and fundraising advantage over Ken Paxton in the Texas Senate contest, with Democrats viewing the race as a potential breakthrough in the traditionally Republican state.
James Talarico, a former teacher and Presbyterian seminary student, is ahead of Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton in recent polls and has outpaced the Republican in fundraising during the final months of the campaign. From July through September, Talarico’s campaign reported raising $64 million, compared with Paxton’s $18 million in the same period, and his total fundraising since launching exceeds $146 million.
Outside groups supporting Paxton have contributed more than $200 million to Republican efforts in Texas, much of it from billionaire Elon Musk, while President Donald Trump’s principal super PAC, MAGA Inc., has spent about $33.7 million on advertisements for the attorney general.
At a rally in Dallas, Talarico framed the contest as a contest between ordinary voters and powerful interests, saying, "> Dallas, you are my slingshot. The people of Texas are my slingshot."
Talarico’s campaign events in El Paso, Midland, Amarillo and Lubbard attracted sizable crowds, with more than 4,000 attendees reported at the Lubbock rally on Oct. 27. He thanked supporters, stating, "> I appreciate all 4,000 of you that showed up here this evening."
Voters interviewed by Fox News Digital noted that President Trump’s simultaneous rally near Paxton’s event suggested Republican concern about the race, while some Republican supporters expressed confidence that Paxton would maintain the seat.
Supporters of Talarico highlighted Paxton’s legal controversies and impeachment by the Texas House as factors influencing their preference, with one Dallas voter saying, "> We’re here in support of honesty, decency and integrity."
The election is scheduled for Nov. 3, and a Democratic win would represent the first Senate seat flip in Texas in decades, while a loss would maintain the GOP’s longstanding dominance in the state.