Politics · October 13, 2026
On the issues: A Q&A with U.S. Senate candidates James Talarico, Ken Paxton and Ted Brown
Part of: Texas Senate: Paxton vs. Talarico →
The 2026 Texas U.S. Senate race between Republican Attorney General Ken Paxton and Democratic State Representative James Talarico is currently considered a toss-up, with Libertarian Ted Brown also vying for the seat. The campaign has centered on contrasting platforms regarding border security, economic policy, and public health. Talarico, who has significantly out-raised Paxton in campaign funds, is framing himself as a 'border security' Democrat while Paxton focuses on conservative legal challenges and recent lawsuits against baby food manufacturers and vaccine practices. Polls indicate a neck-and-neck race as candidates clash over issues ranging from data center regulation and marijuana legalization to gender-affirming care and U.S. involvement in the Iran war.
Read the original coverage
- Texas TribuneCenter-left
Texas U.S. Senate 2026: Paxton, Talarico and Brown on the issues
Read at Texas Tribune ↗ - The GuardianCenter-left
Ken Paxton stirs vaccine skepticism to ingratiate himself with Maha movement
Read at The Guardian ↗ - CBS NewsCenter-left
Texas GOP chair on toss-up Senate race between James Talarico and Ken Paxton
Read at CBS News ↗ - Fox NewsRight
James Talarico torches Biden border policies in stunning attack ad as progressive tries to flip Texas blue
Read at Fox News ↗ - Washington ExaminerRight
Paxton sues Gerber and Nestlé, alleging dangerous levels of heavy metals
Read at Washington Examiner ↗
Reported across the spectrum
- James Talarico and Ken Paxton are the major party candidates for the 2026 U.S. Senate seat in Texas.
- Polling indicates the race is highly competitive or 'neck and neck.'
- Talarico has raised significantly more campaign funds ($68.6 million) than Paxton ($14.3 million) this cycle.
- Ken Paxton is the current Texas Attorney General and has served in that role since 2015.
- James Talarico is a current member of the Texas House representing Austin.
- Libertarian Ted Brown is also a candidate in the race.
Reported by only some outlets
- Talarico's campaign released an ad criticizing Joe Biden's border policies as 'failing.'
- In 2019, Talarico suggested reallocating $800 million from border security to public education.
- Paxton filed a 68-page lawsuit against Gerber and Nestlé USA alleging dangerous levels of heavy metals in baby food.
- Paxton is investigating pediatricians and the American Academy of Pediatrics over vaccine incentives and records.
- Talarico previously called for the dismantling of ICE, according to reports cited by Fox News.
- Paxton declined to participate in the Texas Tribune questionnaire, while Talarico and Brown did.
Left-leaning outlets tend to emphasize…
The Guardian emphasizes Paxton's vaccine investigations as a 'war on pediatricians' and suggests his actions are 'desperate' moves by a candidate who 'very well may lose.' It focuses heavily on the potential negative health outcomes of Paxton's alignment with vaccine skeptics and the Make America Healthy Again movement.
Right-leaning outlets tend to emphasize…
Fox News focuses on Talarico's 'flip-flop' on border security, highlighting past comments about 'slashing' border funds and dismantling ICE to contrast with his current 'moderate' campaign ads. The Washington Examiner highlights Paxton’s consumer protection lawsuit against baby food companies, framing him as a defender of infant health.
Where coverage diverges
Coverage diverges along left/right lines — see Framing tab for specifics.
About these outlets
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