Democratic state Rep. James Talarico campaigned in Houston, framing the U.S. Senate race as a fight against corruption and calling for federal ethics legislation. He criticized Republican opponent Ken Paxton's record and Elon Musk's political donations to Paxton.
The sources don't state an effect on taxes. They do state these figures.
Donations to Paxton through Senate Leadership Fund super PACnearly $190 million1Who pays or receives it: Elon Musk
Donation to Lone Star Rising PAC$2,5001Who pays or receives it: Barbara Bush
Coming up
Tuesday, November 3, 2026. U.S. Senate general election in Texas (Texas)1
Who's involved
James TalaricoDemocratic state representative, U.S. Senate candidate
Ken PaxtonTexas Attorney General, Republican U.S. Senate candidate
Elon MuskDonor to Paxton's campaign
Neil BushEarly voter and endorser of Talarico
Barbara BushDonor to Talarico's political action committee
The facts
Talarico was endorsed in early voting by Neil Bush on Oct. 21, 2026.1
Paxton was impeached by the Texas Legislature in 2023 on charges of abuse of office.1
Paxton was acquitted by the Texas Senate on the impeachment charges.1
Paxton was previously indicted on felony securities fraud charges.1
Musk donated nearly $190 million to Paxton through the Senate Leadership Fund super PAC.1
The U.S. Senate election in Texas is scheduled for Nov. 3, 2026.1
Most polling shows Talarico and Paxton in a statistical dead heat.1
Who said what
These are statements and claims made by the people involved. They are reported, not verified.
James Talarico Paxton used public office to enrich himself and donors at expense of Texans.1
James Talarico Musk funded attack ads, mailings, and text messages against Talarico and wants Texas land, water, and taxpayer dollars.1
James Talarico Pledged to ban corporate PACs and super PACs, bar Congress members from stock trading, outlaw gerrymandering, and enact congressional term limits if elected.1
Neil Bush Voted motivated by concern about Paxton's record and admiration for Talarico's character and leadership.1
Ken Paxton The Senate race will determine control of U.S. Senate for next two or more years and losing Texas means losing America.1
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.
Texas Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick held a campaign event in Midland while seeking reelection. He urged West Texas Republicans to vote during early voting, citing historically low regional turnout despite high voter registration. Patrick defended the oil and gas industry and criticized proposed Democratic policies on energy.
$$28 billion for State reserve fund
Dan Patrick, Texas Lt. Governor, candidate for reelection; Kevin Sparks, State Senator; Vikki Goodwin, Democratic candidate for Lt. Governor
Gov. Greg Abbott visited Temple and San Angelo on October 23, 2026, for "Let's Roll" campaign events supporting Republican candidates and early voting ahead of the November 3 general election. Abbott emphasized border security, economic growth, and tax relief during the tour.
Gov. Greg Abbott, Governor of Texas, candidate for fourth term; Representative Hillary Hickland, Joined Abbott at Temple event
Early voting is underway in Texas for Nov. 3 midterm elections. Voter registration backlogs caused by state errors have created situations where voters' names may not appear in polling place lists. Voters in this situation can cast provisional ballots, which are kept separate and reviewed after the election.
Texas Department of Public Safety, caused backlog of voter registration updates through driver's license portal; Early Voting Ballot Board, makes determinations on provisional ballots
Democratic gubernatorial nominee Gina Hinojosa kicked off her "One Fight" get-out-the-vote tour in Central Texas, holding events in Kyle, San Marcos, and San Antonio, and scheduled a rally in El Paso for October 28.
Gina Hinojosa, Democratic nominee for Texas Governor; Cristela Alonzo, Stand-up comedian, performer at San Antonio rally; Little Joe y La Familia, Tejano legend, performer at San Antonio rally and 1 more
Actor Matthew McConaughey released a 6-minute statement endorsing political independence as an concept rather than endorsing any candidate or party during Texas election season.
Matthew McConaughey, Actor; Jared Woodfill, Conservative Republicans of Texas; Conservative Republicans of Texas, Organization commenting on endorsement
A poll shows Democratic candidate Bobby Pulido leading Republican Congresswoman Monica De La Cruz in the race for Texas's 15th Congressional District, with the election days away. The survey found Pulido favored by South Texas voters who supported Trump in 2024.
Bobby Pulido, Democratic candidate for Texas 15th Congressional District; Monica De La Cruz, Republican U.S. Representative seeking re-election in Texas 15th Congressional District; Mark Jones, Political scientist at Rice University and co-director of poll and 2 more
Billionaire Elon Musk endorsed Republican Ken Paxton in the Texas U.S. Senate race. Musk posted on X that "the fate of Texas and America is at stake" and urged voting for Paxton. Musk has donated over $150 million to a PAC supporting Paxton's candidacy.
$over $150 million for donations to political action committee supporting Paxton
Elon Musk, Billionaire, Paxton endorser and donor; Ken Paxton, Republican Texas Attorney General, U.S. Senate candidate; James Talarico, Democratic Texas House member, U.S. Senate candidate
Republicans have a massive financial advantage in Senate races for the 2026 midterm election, particularly in Texas where ad spending heavily favors the GOP nominee. Democrats lead in polling in several key Senate races despite the spending gap.
$$947 million for republican ad spending in seven tossup Senate races
Ken Paxton, Republican Texas Attorney General, U.S. Senate candidate; James Talarico, Democratic state representative, U.S. Senate candidate; Elon Musk, CEO of Tesla and SpaceX, mega-donor and 1 more