The 2026 Texas Senate race pits Republican Attorney General Ken Paxton against Democrat James Talarico for the seat held by Sen. John Cornyn. Paxton has trailed in recent polling. Both candidates held rallies Monday, and polls are open 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Election Day.
The 2026 Texas Senate race features Republican Attorney General Ken Paxton challenging Democrat James Talarico for the seat currently held by Sen. John Cornyn. Trump endorsed Paxton days before Paxton beat Cornyn in the Republican primary runoff. In recent polling, Paxton has trailed behind Talarico. Talarico noted that the contest had become the most expensive U.S. Senate race in American history.
Republicans are trying to hold their current majority, while Democrats seek to flip the seat. Both candidates held rallies Monday in their final push. Paxton painted Talarico as too liberal for Texas, paired promises of tax relief with a plea for Republicans to turn out, and said every poll shows the race coming down to the wire. Paxton spoke to supporters at a Tex-Mex restaurant in Allen, and canceled the planned end of his "Come and Take It" bus tour at the Alamo.
Election Day polling locations in Texas are open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Early voting ended at 7 p.m. Friday, and Election Day falls on Tuesday.
