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Cruz backs Talarico, who raised $30 M, to beat Paxton.

7/10/2026

44 9 Full Breakdown

Summary

Story summary

Senator Ted Cruz praised Democratic candidate James Talarico on a radio program and said he can beat Attorney General Ken Paxton in a toss-up race.
Paxton, whose estranged wife is a state senator that has not endorsed him, faces a dismissed felony securities fraud indictment, a 2023 impeachment, and a whistleblower corruption scandal.
Talarico has raised a record-breaking $30 million in Q2, more than triple Paxton’s April-June haul.

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Story summary

Senator Ted Cruz praised Democratic candidate James Talarico on a radio program and said he can beat Attorney General Ken Paxton in a toss-up race.
Paxton, whose estranged wife is a state senator that has not endorsed him, faces a dismissed felony securities fraud indictment, a 2023 impeachment, and a whistleblower corruption scandal.
Talarico has raised a record-breaking $30 million in Q2, more than triple Paxton’s April-June haul.