Texas news, down to the facts.

Early voting is open through Oct. 30. Election Day is Nov. 3, 15 days away. Elections

Elections Updated October 5, 12:00 am

Talarico leads Paxton in Texas U.S. Senate race; polls show varying margins

Multiple polls released in early October show Democrat James Talarico leading Republican Ken Paxton in the Texas U.S. Senate race, with different margins across surveys. Paxton, the state attorney general, and Talarico, a state representative, are competing in what is described as a competitive race for a seat in a traditionally Republican state.

Where
Statewide
When
Polls released Oct. 2-3, 2026
Sources
Reported by 14 outlets

Taxes and money

None stated in sources.

Does this affect you?

Who's involved

  • James TalaricoDemocratic U.S. Senate nominee; state representative
  • Ken PaxtonRepublican U.S. Senate nominee; Texas attorney general
  • Angela PaxtonKen Paxton's estranged wife; state senator
  • Daron ShawPollster for Fox News poll

The facts

  • New York Times/Siena poll shows Talarico leading Paxton 51% to 45%.4
  • Fox News poll shows Talarico leading Paxton 51% to 49% among likely voters.6
  • Fox News poll shows Talarico leading Paxton by 7 points among registered voters.6
  • Fox News poll's margin of error for likely voters is 3 percent.6
  • Angela Paxton released an ad supporting the Republican ticket without naming Ken Paxton.5
  • Paxton was impeached by the Texas House and later acquitted by state Senate.5
  • Fox News poll surveyed 1,203 registered voters via phone or text message.6

Who said what

These are statements and claims made by the people involved. They are reported, not verified.

  • Daron Shaw Democrats in Texas will walk across broken glass to vote against Trump; question is if average Republican will vote without Trump.6
  • Daron Shaw Paxton may owe his political life to Abbott, who is doing most Republican get-out-the-vote work.6

Where the sources disagree

  • Talarico's lead over Paxton 2 points per [6]; 6 points per [5]; 7 points per [3]

How they headlined it

The same event, as each outlet put it. Marked words appear in only one outlet's headline.

  • Talarico leads Paxton by 2 points in tightening Texas Senate race: Survey

    PHL17.com, Queen City News, ksn.com, FOX8 WGHP

  • Fox News is SHOCKED that James Talarico Leads Ken Paxton By 7 Points for the Senate

    dailykos.com

  • James Talarico Leads in Texas Senate Race

    Political Wire

  • Ken Paxton’s estranged wife backs his candidacy

    CNN

  • Ken Paxton’s Wife Takes a Break From Their Divorce to Urge Texans to Vote for Him Over James Talarico

    Mediaite

  • Ken Paxton’s Ex-Wife Says She’s Voting for Ken Paxton

    washingtonsun.com

  • Ken Paxton’s estranged wife urges voters to back him in new ad

    NBC News

  • State Senator Paxton Breaks Her Silence On U.S. Senate Race

    News Radio 1200 WOAI

Sources

Outlets: 1 left-leaning, 5 not rated Only left-leaning outlets reported this Who's covering Texas →

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.

  1. Talarico leads Paxton by 2 points in tightening Texas Senate race: Survey PHL17.com Not rated, October 2, 2026
  2. Talarico leads Paxton by 2 points in tightening Texas Senate race: Survey Queen City News Not rated, October 2, 2026
  3. Fox News is SHOCKED that James Talarico Leads Ken Paxton By 7 Points for the Senate - IN TEXAS! dailykos.com Not rated, October 2, 2026
  4. James Talarico Leads in Texas Senate Race Political Wire Not rated, October 3, 2026
  5. Ken Paxton’s estranged wife backs his candidacy — without mentioning him by name CNN Lean Left, October 3, 2026
  6. Talarico leads Paxton by 2 points in tightening Texas Senate race: Survey ksn.com Not rated, October 3, 2026

Also reported by Mediaite, washingtonsun.com, NBC News, News Radio 1200 WOAI, News Radio 1200 WOAI, NewsNation, FOX8 WGHP, The New York Times, The Seattle Times, Time Magazine, WSJ, iHeart, azcentral.com and The Arizona Republic, USA Today, Detroit Free Press, Yahoo.

This sheet was written by AI from the sources above and adds nothing they don't state. Read the originals for full context.

Spot an error on this sheet?

All corrections and updates

Keep reading

Bexar and Brazoria counties hold county judge races on November 3

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

Reported by 2 outletsFound via Google News

Texas counties prepare election security measures ahead of early voting

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

Reported by 2 outletsFound via Google News

Democratic and Republican Senate candidates report third-quarter campaign fundraising totals

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

Reported by 6 outletsFound via Google News

Elon Musk donates $158 million to support Ken Paxton Senate campaign

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

Reported by 5 outletsFound via Google News

Talarico's former classmate accuses him of prioritizing politics over truth

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

Reported by 2 outletsOnly right-leaning outlets reported thisFound via Google News

Senate candidate Talarico schedules El Paso campaign rally October 26

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

Reported by 4 outletsFound via Google News

"No Kings" organizers hold vote early event in Dallas Saturday

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

Reported by 4 outletsFound via Google News

All of today's news