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Talarico leads Paxton in Texas Senate race as spending approaches record

Democrat James Talarico leads Republican Ken Paxton by six points in the Texas U.S. Senate race, according to a New York Times/Siena Research Institute poll. Advertising spending in the race has reached $442 million, the second most expensive non-presidential race on record.

Where
Statewide
When
October 2026; early voting set to begin in approximately two weeks
Sources
Reported by 2 outlets

Taxes and money

The sources don't state an effect on taxes. They do state these figures.

  • U.S. Senate race advertising spending$442 million3 4
  • Republican campaign spending$326 million3 4 Who pays or receives it: Republicans
  • Democratic campaign spending$116 million3 4 Who pays or receives it: Democrats

Does this affect you?

Who's involved

  • James TalaricoDemocrat candidate for U.S. Senate; State Representative
  • Ken PaxtonRepublican candidate for U.S. Senate; Attorney General
  • Angela PaxtonState Senator (R-McKinney); appeared in ad during race
  • New York Times and Siena Research InstituteConducted poll
  • AdImpactAd tracking firm

The facts

  • Latest New York Times/Siena poll shows Talarico leads Paxton 51% to 45%.3 4 Stated by 2 sources
  • In June poll, Talarico and Paxton were tied at 47% each.3 4 Stated by 2 sources
  • Advertising spending in Texas Senate race reached $442 million, second most expensive non-presidential race on record.3 4 Stated by 2 sources
  • Republicans outspent Democrats $326 million to $116 million in the race.3 4 Stated by 2 sources
  • Angela Paxton appeared in ad encouraging voters to vote Republican ticket.2
  • Angela Paxton filed for divorce from Ken Paxton last year on biblical grounds, alleging adultery.2

Who said what

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

  • SMU Political Science Professor Matthew Wilson Republicans made calculation they can't sidestep personal accusations, willing to address head-on.2

Where the sources disagree

  • Paxton's status in the race Paxton faces uphill path per [1,2]; Talarico extends lead per [3,4]

How they headlined it

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

Sources

Outlets: 1 left-leaning, 3 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. Texas Senate race: Paxton faces uphill path as Talarico leads in recent polls kvue.com Not rated, October 5, 2026
  2. Texas Senate race: Paxton faces uphill path as Talarico leads in recent polls Yahoo Lean Left, October 5, 2026
  3. Talarico continues to lead polls as spending ramps up in Texas Senate race FOX 4 News Dallas-Fort Worth Not rated, October 6, 2026
  4. Talarico continues to lead polls as spending ramps up in Texas Senate race FOX 7 Austin Not rated, October 6, 2026

Also reported by UMass Lowell.

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

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All corrections and updates

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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 5 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

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