Talarico challenges Paxton in tight Texas Senate race

Talarico challenges Paxton in tight Texas Senate race

Politics
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The Guardian reported on 2 November that Democratic state Rep. James Talarico challenged Republican Attorney General Ken Paxton in the Texas U. S. Senate race, a contest that could produce the first Democratic senator from the state since 1988. AL. com reported that a CNN/SSRS poll released on 21 October showed Talarico six points ahead of Paxton. USA Today noted that another recent poll also gave Talarico a narrow lead.

Newsweek said more than 4. 5 million Texans had voted early, underscoring the race’s intensity. Fox News said Talarico held a fundraising advantage over Paxton. CBS reported the campaign had become one of the most expensive non-presidential elections in U. S. history. PBS described the race as pivotal for Senate control during President Donald Trump’s term, and CBC added that its outcome could affect the balance of power.

Actors

James Talarico Ken Paxton Emerson College Polling Spencer Kimball Cook Political Report New River Strategies GS Strategy Group Fox News University of Houston Hobby Marist College UT/Texas Politics Project ReconMR UMass Lowell YouGov The New York Times

Locations

Texas, United States

Fact Check

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Verdict: Partially confirmed Confidence: 63% Claims: 2
At a glance

The claim that a CNN/SSRS poll from October 29, 2026, showed Democrat James Talarico six points ahead of Republican Ken Paxton in the Texas Senate race was partially confirmed. The claim that James Talarico is a Texas state representative was also partially confirmed.

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This section contains an automated verification of claims against external sources and may contain inaccuracies.

Articles

November 02, 2026
1 total
Democratic state representative James Talarico challenges Republican incumbent Ken Paxton in Texas Senate race
Democratic state representative James Talarico challenges Republican incumbent Ken Paxton in Texas Senate race

The Guardian • 02 Nov 17:20

James Talarico, a Texas state representative, is seeking to become the first Democrat elected to the U.S. Senate from Texas since 1988, facing Republican Attorney General Ken Paxton amid a tightly contested campaign.

Credibility 82% Manip. 38% Left
November 01, 2026
1 total
Texas Senate Race Heats Up with High Stakes and Big Spending
Texas Senate Race Heats Up with High Stakes and Big Spending

CBS News • 01 Nov 14:37

The Texas Senate race between Republican Ken Paxton and Democrat James Talarico is shaping up to be one of the most expensive non-presidential elections in U.S. history, with significant implications for national control of the Senate.

Credibility 77% Manip. 22% Center
October 31, 2026
2 total
Texas Senate Race Heats Up as Early Voting Concludes
Texas Senate Race Heats Up as Early Voting Concludes

PBS • 31 Oct 23:14

The Texas Senate race between Republican Ken Paxton and Democrat James Talarico intensifies as early voting approaches its end, reflecting voter sentiments towards Trump's leadership.

Credibility 77% Manip. 32% Center
Texas Senate race pits Republican Ken Paxton against Democrat James Talarico in pivotal midterm contest
Texas Senate race pits Republican Ken Paxton against Democrat James Talarico in pivotal midterm contest

CBC • 31 Oct 11:49

The Texas Senate contest between Republican Attorney General Ken Paxton and Democrat state legislator James Talarico could decide Senate control for the remainder of President Donald Trump’s term.

Credibility 72% Manip. 58% Center
October 30, 2026
1 total
Democratic candidate James Talarico leads Texas Senate race against Attorney General Ken Paxton
Democratic candidate James Talarico leads Texas Senate race against Attorney General Ken Paxton

Fox News • 30 Oct 13:31

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.

Credibility 68% Manip. 45% Center
October 29, 2026
1 total
CNN poll shows Democrat James Talarico leading Texas Senate race by six points
CNN poll shows Democrat James Talarico leading Texas Senate race by six points

AL.com • 29 Oct 20:40

A CNN/SSRS poll released Wednesday puts Democrat James Talarico six points ahead of Republican Ken Paxton, marking the strongest Democratic Senate showing in Texas since 1988.

Credibility 68% Manip. 35% Left
October 27, 2026
1 total
Early voting surges in Texas as Talarico-Paxton Senate race tightens
Early voting surges in Texas as Talarico-Paxton Senate race tightens

Newsweek • 27 Oct 01:21

More than 4.5 million Texans have voted early, and polls show Democratic state Representative James Talarico and Republican Attorney General Ken Paxton locked in a close U.S. Senate contest.

Credibility 72% Manip. 11% Center
October 26, 2026
1 total
Polls show tight Texas Senate race between Talarico and Paxton with differing margins
Polls show tight Texas Senate race between Talarico and Paxton with differing margins

USA Today • 26 Oct 23:21

Two recent polls indicate Democrat James Talarico holds a narrow lead over Republican Ken Paxton in the Texas U.S. Senate contest, though the size of the advantage varies between surveys.

Credibility 72% Manip. 9% Center

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