Story perspectives

Marist Poll Shows Paxton Surging to 45%

By Drooid · Oct 16, 2026, 2:41 AM UTC · How we work

Center

Massive Republican Spending

U.S. President Donald Trump endorsed Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton for the U.S. Senate at an Oct. 1 rally in Durant, Oklahoma.
A Marist poll conducted Oct. 8-11 showed Democratic candidate James Talarico at 47 % and Paxton at 45 % among likely voters.
CBS News released security-camera footage of James Talarico at his Austin home each day Oct. 1-8.
Republican groups spent over $175 million since Sept. 1 for Paxton or against Talarico; voting starts Oct. 19.

Left

Fox Rumor Debunked

U.S. President Donald Trump endorsed Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton for Senate at an Oct. 1 event in Durant, Oklahoma.
Right-wing media, Fox News, amplified a rumor that candidate James Talarico was taken to a mental-health facility, a claim debunked by The New York Times.
Talarico raised $64 million in Q3 (total $134 million); Paxton’s campaign reported $18 million.
Advertising in the race topped $500 million, making it the second non-presidential contest to do so.

Blindspot

Fox News hosts amplified an unfounded rumor that Democratic Senate candidate James Talarico had been taken to a mental-health facility, a claim later debunked by The New York Times.
Within this story's sources, this angle appears mainly in Left-leaning coverage and receives less attention in Center-leaning coverage.

History

Historical Context

During the 2004 presidential race, the 527 group Swift Boat Veterans for Truth aired ads questioning John Kerry’s Vietnam record, a campaign later labeled “swiftboating” and fined $299,500 by the FEC. The tactic resurfaced in the 2024 Texas Senate contest, where Donald Trump’s endorsement of Ken Paxton and Fox News’ rumor about James Talarico echo the high-budget misinformation of 2004.

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Massive Republican Spending

U.S. President Donald Trump endorsed Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton for the U.S. Senate at an Oct. 1 rally in Durant, Oklahoma.
A Marist poll conducted Oct. 8-11 showed Democratic candidate James Talarico at 47 % and Paxton at 45 % among likely voters.
CBS News released security-camera footage of James Talarico at his Austin home each day Oct. 1-8.
Republican groups spent over $175 million since Sept. 1 for Paxton or against Talarico; voting starts Oct. 19.

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