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Talarico Leads GOP Senate Race, Cornyn and Paxton Struggle

3/21/2026

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Summary

Story summary

Texas State Representative James Talarico leads Republican candidates in the U.S. Senate race, per an Impact Research poll.
Talarico is ahead of incumbent U.S. Senator John Cornyn by two points and Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton by one point.
The GOP runoff is scheduled for May 26 after neither candidate reached 50 percent, while Cornyn and Paxton show negative approval at -33 and -18.

History

Historical Context

In the 2014 U.S. Senate elections, Texas Senator John Cornyn won re-election with 61% of the vote against David Alameel, reflecting a broader Republican resurgence that saw the party gain nine seats overall. This marked a significant shift in Texas politics, as recent polls indicate growing discontent among voters, suggesting a more competitive landscape for future elections, particularly with candidates like James Talarico emerging.

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Story summary

Texas State Representative James Talarico leads Republican candidates in the U.S. Senate race, per an Impact Research poll.
Talarico is ahead of incumbent U.S. Senator John Cornyn by two points and Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton by one point.
The GOP runoff is scheduled for May 26 after neither candidate reached 50 percent, while Cornyn and Paxton show negative approval at -33 and -18.

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