Ken Paxton and James Talarico Face Record Super PAC Spending in Texas Senate Race

Republican Attorney General Ken Paxton and Democrat James Talarico are locked in a tightly contested U.S. Senate race in Texas. Throughout September 2026, Republican-aligned groups have poured unprecedented sums into television and digital advertising to bolster Paxton’s candidacy, while Democratic-aligned super PACs have escalated their own ad buys to counter the effort. The race has become the most expensive Senate contest in recent memory, with both sides relying heavily on national super PACs rather than the candidates’ own fundraising.

CNN

Paxton entered the Senate contest in April 2025 after defeating incumbent Sen. John Cornyn in the GOP primary runoff. The 2018 Texas Senate race between Sen. Ted Cruz and former Rep. Beto O’Rourke set the previous high-water mark for ad spending at $55 million; current outlays now dwarf that figure.

CNN

• Republican side: CNN reports GOP-aligned groups plan to spend $166 million on ads from the start of September through Election Day, with total GOP spending in Texas projected to exceed $300 million. CBS notes that as of September 27, 2026, $119 million had already been spent or reserved for TV and digital ads, rising to $155 million when money from Lone Star Liberty PAC and MAGA Inc. is included.

KTVT - Dallas - Fort Worth News

• Democratic side: CNN estimates Democratic ad spending at $32 million, a 5-to-1 out-spend ratio. CBS reports the Talarico campaign has spent or reserved $56.4 million on TV and digital ads, with additional support from Lone Star Rising PAC ($4 million) and Moment of Truth PAC ($1.6 million).

CNN

• Airings: A single Paxton commercial aired 258 times on “Judge Judy” in September; the top Paxton ad aired 413 times during college football broadcasts.

CNN

Republican Rep. Michael McCaul defended the spending, warning that a weak top-ticket candidate could drag down down-ballot races. Democratic operatives described the GOP outlay as “unprecedented,” noting that internal polling shows Talarico maintaining a modest lead despite the surge in Republican ads. Both campaigns declined comment when approached for additional remarks.

CNN

Sources differ on the total amount already deployed. CNN’s projection of $166 million in Republican spending through Election Day exceeds CBS’s reported $119 million spent or reserved as of September 27, with CBS adding $36 million from additional PACs to reach $155 million. Democratic ad spend is similarly contested: CNN cites $32 million, while CBS records $56.4 million. Polling from Real Clear Politics shows Talarico ahead by three points (47.6 % to 44.6 %), a margin within statistical error, but the impact of the advertising surge remains unmeasured.

CNN

• “I think we are looking at the numbers going down. The top of the ticket is not helpful for down-ballot candidates,” — Rep. Michael McCaul

CNN

• “I think he can win, and I think he will win,” — Majority Leader John Thune

KTVT - Dallas - Fort Worth News

Early voting begins in October, with the election scheduled for early November. The Republican National Committee has confirmed that former President Donald Trump will hold a rally in early October near North Texas, and additional GOP rallies are planned statewide. Both campaigns continue to purchase ad inventory across Texas’s 20 media markets, suggesting total spending will climb further as the election approaches.

CNN