In the Texas Senate race, Ken Paxton has cast James Talarico as too far-left for the state, while Talarico has portrayed Paxton as the face of a corrupt political system. Republicans are trying to keep their Senate majority, and Democrats hope to flip the seat. Texas has not elected a Democrat statewide since 1994.
Republicans are trying to hold on to their current Senate majority, while Democrats are looking to flip the seat in Texas. Texas has not elected a Democrat to a statewide office since 1994.
Paxton's message
Paxton told voters a Talarico victory could help Democrats take control of the U.S. Senate and painted him as too liberal for Texas. He paired promises of tax relief with a plea for Republican turnout, and said every poll shows the race coming down to the wire. Paxton focused on framing Talarico as too far-left for Texas, and Trump amplified the attack that Talarico is too progressive, citing past statements including a description of God as nonbinary. At an October 23 rally, Paxton asked the crowd whether they believed in protecting Texas and stopping Sharia law and whether parents, not the government, should raise children.
Talarico's message
Talarico centered his campaign on portraying Paxton as the face of a corrupt political system that lets billionaires wield outsized political power while prices rise. He called Paxton the most corrupt politician in Texas history and said Paxton serves himself. Talarico invoked the story of David and Goliath, saying that on Nov. 3rd the Goliaths wouldn't know what hit them. Talarico is a Presbyterian seminarian and former middle-school teacher. He told a San Antonio crowd on Oct. 24 that to win they have to execute and leave it all on the field, drawing on a "Friday Night Lights" theme.
