Politics · October 18, 2026
Can Ken Paxton outrun a trail of scandal to win US Senate seat in ruby-red Texas?
Part of: Texas Senate: Paxton vs. Talarico →
The 2026 Texas US Senate race between Republican incumbent Attorney General Ken Paxton and Democratic state legislator James Talarico is currently in a dead heat. Despite a long history of legal scandals and personal controversies, Paxton remains a 'political survivor' buoyed by MAGA support, Donald Trump's endorsement, and significant funding from allies like Elon Musk. Talarico, a former teacher and progressive Christian, has benefited from Paxton's perceived vulnerabilities and high-profile endorsements, though he faces criticism for his 'woke' record and has dealt with right-wing rumors regarding a recent absence from the trail. The race is viewed as a critical referendum on Trump’s second presidency and a pivotal moment for Democrats seeking to break a 30-year losing streak in Texas statewide elections.
Read the original coverage
- The GuardianCenter-left
Can Ken Paxton outrun a trail of scandal to win US Senate seat in ruby-red Texas?
Read at The Guardian ↗ - Texas TribuneCenter-left
In Senate race, Paxton and Talarico each promise relief from rising energy costs in Texas
Read at Texas Tribune ↗ - CBS NewsCenter-left
CBS News poll: Talarico-Paxton Senate race is a Texas toss-up
Read at CBS News ↗
Reported across the spectrum
- Texas has not elected a Democrat to statewide office since 1994.
- Ken Paxton is the Republican nominee for US Senate in Texas for the 2026 midterms.
- James Talarico is the Democratic nominee and currently serves as a state legislator.
- Donald Trump has endorsed Ken Paxton.
- Elon Musk is bankrolling a Super PAC to support Paxton.
- Paxton was previously impeached by the Texas legislature but later acquitted.
- Polls currently show the race as a dead heat, with some showing Talarico leading.
Reported by only some outlets
- Paxton was allegedly filmed at a 2024 New Year’s Eve party in Dubai with fugitives under federal indictment.
- Talarico’s campaign provided security footage to the New York Times to debunk rumors about his health-related absence.
- Leaked audio clips allegedly show Paxton expressing concerns about the influence of D.C. on his campaign and the impact of fuel prices.
- Angela Paxton, Ken's ex-wife, appeared in an ad supporting the full Republican ticket without mentioning Ken by name.
Left-leaning outlets tend to emphasize…
The Guardian frames Paxton as a 'uniquely ill-chosen' and 'bland' candidate whose political career is a 'textbook example of scandal resilience.' It emphasizes his 'sycophant' relationship with Trump and highlights his history of legal issues, including alleged securities fraud and the 'screwball' incident of evading a subpoena.
Right-leaning outlets tend to emphasize…
Where coverage diverges
Single-perspective coverage; cross-spectrum comparison limited.
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