Texas Democratic Senate candidate James Talarico said he would debate Republican Ken Paxton and suggested TMZ host the debate. Talarico said Paxton has refused earlier debate offers.
Where
Statewide
When
Oct. 20, 2026
Sources
Reported by 8 outlets
Taxes and money
None stated in sources.
Who's involved
James TalaricoTexas Democratic Senate candidate
Ken PaxtonTexas Attorney General, Republican Senate candidate
President Donald TrumpCalled for debate between candidates
The facts
Talarico said Paxton has refused to debate him.24Stated by 2 sources
Talarico agreed to debate on Fox News.24Stated by 2 sources
Trump called for a debate between the two candidates.24Stated by 2 sources
Trump wrote on TRUTH Social that Cornyn and Rove are working against Paxton in the Senate race.24Stated by 2 sources
Who said what
These are statements and claims made by the people involved. They are reported, not verified.
James Talarico Paxton's refusal to debate is low-T behavior.4
James Talarico He challenged Paxton to debate on Fox News.4
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.
Governor Greg Abbott held a campaign rally in Temple at Clem Mikeska's Bar-B-Q to encourage voter turnout during early voting. Abbott promoted his economic record, affordability agenda, and border security plans while encouraging supporters to use his mobile app to contact other voters.
Greg Abbott, Governor; Hillary Hickland, State Representative; Brad Buckley, State Representative and 1 more
Republican Orlando Sanchez and Democrat Letitia Plummer debated Thursday as candidates for Harris County judge, discussing immigration enforcement, surveillance cameras, and the Astrodome's future before the November 3 election.
$Sanchez stated Harris County property tax rate rose 60% over eight years and 41% in last 36 months; Plummer criticized 287(g) agreement as unfunded mandate.
Orlando Sanchez, Republican candidate for Harris County judge; Letitia Plummer, Democrat candidate for Harris County judge; Houston Public Media, Debate presenter and 3 more
Reports of voters experiencing touchscreen voting machine errors have circulated on social media during early voting in November midterm elections. Election officials say the issues are nearly always user error or screen miscalibration, not election tampering.
David Becker, Executive director of the Center for Election Innovation and Research; Election officials, Officials commenting on touchscreen voting machine reports
More than 700,000 Texans cast ballots in the first three days of early voting, with election officials reporting strong turnout and smooth operations despite a voter registration backlog linked to Texas Department of Public Safety software issues.
Texas Secretary of State's Office, reported ballot count; Christopher Lynch, Rockwall County elections administrator
Digital Freedom Fund, a Super PAC launched by Cameron and Tyler Winklevoss in 2025, reported spending more than $81,000 on direct mail ads supporting Republican Ken Paxton and opposing Democrat James Talarico in the Texas Senate race, with early voting already underway.
$more than $81,000 for ad spending on direct mail media
Digital Freedom Fund, Super PAC spending on ads; Cameron Winklevoss, Co-founder of Digital Freedom Fund; Tyler Winklevoss, Co-founder of Digital Freedom Fund and 2 more
President Donald Trump will hold rallies in Corpus Christi and Lubbock, Texas on October 27, one week before the November midterm election. The visit replaces a previously scheduled rally in Waco.
Donald Trump, President; Republican National Committee, event organizer; Eric Flores, Republican congressional candidate in South Texas and 5 more
Eight major-party candidates are running for four seats in Bexar County's congressional delegation in the November 3, 2026 election, following redistricting that reduced the county's representation from five to four members and redrawn 43% of residents into new districts.
Joaquin Castro, Democratic U.S. Representative, seeking reelection to eighth term; Edgardo Baez, Republican first-time candidate; Chip Roy, Incumbent U.S. Representative, chose not to seek reelection and 2 more