Basin PBS announced a debate for Texas Senate District 31 scheduled for Monday, Oct. 12, at 7 p.m., featuring Republican Kevin Sparks and Democrat John Betancourt. The debate will be broadcast on Basin PBS and its Facebook and YouTube pages.
Where
Statewide
When
Oct. 12, 2026
Sources
One outlet
Taxes and money
None stated in sources.
Who's involved
Basin PBSorganizer of debate series
Kevin SparksRepublican candidate for Texas Senate District 31
John BetancourtDemocratic candidate for Texas Senate District 31
The facts
Texas Senate District 31 covers West Texas and much of the Panhandle, with five most populous cities: Amarillo, Midland, Odessa, Big Spring and Pampa.12Stated by 2 sources
District 31 has been held by Republicans since its inception in 1992.12Stated by 2 sources
Kevin Sparks, a Midland oil businessman, was elected to Senate District 31 in 2022 and ran unopposed.12Stated by 2 sources
John Betancourt is the first Democrat to run for Senate District 31 since Kel Seliger was first elected in 2004.12Stated by 2 sources
Betancourt served on the Amarillo Independent School District board from 2015 to 2019 and serves on the Amarillo College Board of Regents.12Stated by 2 sources
Betancourt ran unopposed in the Democratic primary.12Stated by 2 sources
After a January 2026 arrest, the Amarillo College Board of Regents temporarily suspended Betancourt from its committees.12Stated by 2 sources
Who said what
These are statements and claims made by the people involved. They are reported, not verified.
John Betancourt Betancourt has drawing scrutiny from a series of driving while intoxicated arrests dating back to 201212
These outlets were found through Google News headlines. Google decides which outlets appear there, and they lean mostly one way, so this sheet can only be as balanced as the reporting it was built from. Leanings are AllSides Media Bias Ratings.
Gina Hinojosa, the Democratic nominee for Texas governor, was interviewed about her campaign. She is running to secure schools and put money in voters' pockets, and is challenging Republican incumbent Greg Abbott.
Two Texas county judge races are scheduled for the Nov. 3 election. In Bexar County, Republican Patrick Von Dohlen is challenging Democrat Ron Nirenberg. In Brazoria County, Republican Rob Giesecke, independent Lucinda Henry and Democrat Eugene Howard are running to replace retiring County Judge Matt Sebesta.
Patrick Von Dohlen, Republican candidate for Bexar County judge; Ron Nirenberg, Democrat candidate for Bexar County judge; Rob Giesecke, Republican candidate for Brazoria County judge and 3 more
County clerks and election administrators across Texas are implementing security procedures before early voting begins October 19. Travis County plans 201 voting locations on Election Day. Multiple counties conducted security training for poll workers.
Travis County Clerk Dyana Limon-Mercado, Travis County Clerk; Bexar County Elections Administrator Michele Carew, Bexar County Elections Administrator; Dallas County Elections Administrator Paul Adams, Dallas County Elections Administrator and 2 more
Democratic and Republican candidates released third-quarter campaign fundraising reports for the 2026 midterm elections. Democrat James Talarico's Texas Senate campaign raised $60 million between July and September, while Republican Ken Paxton's campaign raised about $10 million in the same period. Elon Musk's super PAC has heavily backed Paxton's campaign.
$$60 million for campaign funds raised, third quarter 2026
James Talarico, Democrat candidate for Texas Senate; Ken Paxton, Republican candidate for Texas Senate; Elon Musk, Tech billionaire and super PAC backer of Republican candidates
Elon Musk donated $158 million to the Senate Leadership Fund in September 2026, which transferred the money to Texas PAC to finance advertising supporting Republican Ken Paxton in his Senate race against Democrat James Talarico.
$$158 million for donation to Senate Leadership Fund
Elon Musk, Donor; Ken Paxton, Republican Senate candidate; James Talarico, Democratic Senate candidate and 3 more
Mike Garcia, a former college classmate of Democratic Texas Senate candidate James Talarico, appeared on Fox News to accuse Talarico of putting political ambitions ahead of truthfulness.
James Talarico, Democratic Texas Senate candidate; Mike Garcia, former college classmate making accusation; Will Cain, Fox News host
Democratic U.S. Senate candidate James Talarico announced a campaign rally in El Paso on October 26 from 6 to 8 p.m., with doors opening at 5 p.m. The event is part of his "Clear Eyes, Full Hearts" statewide tour ahead of the November 3 election.
James Talarico, Democratic U.S. Senate candidate; Ken Paxton, Republican U.S. Senate candidate, Texas Attorney General
Organizers of the "No Kings" movement held a gathering in Dallas to encourage early voting. The event included speakers, music, community activities, voting information, and election volunteer opportunities.
Indivisible Dallas, organizer of Dallas gathering; Black Voters Matter Texas, participating organization