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Poll Shows Talarico Tied With Cornyn, Paxton in Texas Senate Race

5/18/2026

Center

Talarico Tied

Texas Southern University poll shows Democrat James Talarico statistically tied with both Republican Senate hopefuls, a rare closeness.
Runoff on May 26 will decide whether Sen. John Cornyn or Attorney General Ken Paxton faces James Talarico in November.
The April 22-May 6 poll of 1,223 likely voters gave Talarico 46% support, Cornyn 37%, Paxton 42%.
Cornyn and Paxton have spent $23 million on runoff media, about 80% funded by Cornyn’s campaign.

Left

Paxton's Scandal

A longtime Republican activist released private texts showing Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton dismissing his estranged wife's divorce settlement.
Ken Paxton faces a felony securities-fraud indictment and impeachment by fellow Republicans yet remains in the Texas Senate race.
John Cornyn outspends Paxton by tens of millions of dollars in the Republican primary.
Activist Sharron Albertson said she cannot support John Cornyn, highlighting intra-party conflict.

Blindspot

Left coverage gave less weight to the Texas Southern University poll that shows Democrat James Talarico statistically tied with both Republican Senate hopefuls.
Left coverage omitted the detail that the runoff media war has cost $23 million, with roughly 80 % funded by Cornyn’s campaign.

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Talarico Tied

Texas Southern University poll shows Democrat James Talarico statistically tied with both Republican Senate hopefuls, a rare closeness.
Runoff on May 26 will decide whether Sen. John Cornyn or Attorney General Ken Paxton faces James Talarico in November.
The April 22-May 6 poll of 1,223 likely voters gave Talarico 46% support, Cornyn 37%, Paxton 42%.
Cornyn and Paxton have spent $23 million on runoff media, about 80% funded by Cornyn’s campaign.

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