Story perspectives

Poll Shows Democrat James Talarico Leading Ken Paxton

By Drooid · Oct 18, 2026, 6:20 PM UTC · How we work

Center

Record Fundraising Advantage

A Texas Politics poll released in October 2026 shows Democrat James Talarico leading Republican Ken Paxton for the U.S. Senate seat.
The poll notes Talarico’s record fundraising and demographic advantages that make the race competitive in a Republican state.
Talarico’s campaign raised $64 million, total $134.3 million, while Paxton’s raised $18 million.
Early voting runs Oct 19-30, ballots due Oct 23, while independents favor Talarico 69%-11% and Latinos 54%-41%.

Left

Debate Refusal Criticism

Mid-October 2026 poll shows Democrat James Talarico leading Republican Ken Paxton for Texas’s Senate seat.
The lead notes disinformation attacks and Paxton’s scandals have narrowed Republican advantage in Texas.
Democratic Party Chair Kendall Scudder called Abbott and Paxton “chicken-shit” for refusing debates.
Talarico denied being treated at an Ohio mental-health facility after missing a week.
Roberts County’s Democratic primary had three voters versus 306 Republicans, showing rural gaps.

Blindspot

Ken Paxton was impeached by the Texas legislature in 2023, later divorced, and continues to face criticism despite President Donald Trump’s endorsement.
Within this story's sources, this angle appears mainly in Left-leaning coverage and receives less attention in Center-leaning coverage.

History

Historical Context

The 1994 Republican Revolution, driven by Newt Gingrich’s Contract with America, delivered a 54-seat swing that gave Republicans their first House majority since 1952 and flipped dozens of Southern seats, ending the Solid South’s Democratic dominance. That realignment opened the door for Texas Republicans such as Kay Bailey Hutchison and set a fundraising precedent echoed in today’s $64 million Texas Senate race.

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Record Fundraising Advantage

A Texas Politics poll released in October 2026 shows Democrat James Talarico leading Republican Ken Paxton for the U.S. Senate seat.
The poll notes Talarico’s record fundraising and demographic advantages that make the race competitive in a Republican state.
Talarico’s campaign raised $64 million, total $134.3 million, while Paxton’s raised $18 million.
Early voting runs Oct 19-30, ballots due Oct 23, while independents favor Talarico 69%-11% and Latinos 54%-41%.

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