An analysis of campaign advertising data shows Republicans and Democrats have evolved their top issues since June. Republicans spent $359 million emphasizing crime, taxation, and transgender issues; Democrats spent $156.1 million focusing on taxation, healthcare, and corruption.
Where
Statewide
When
Since June 2, 2026
Sources
One outlet
Taxes and money
The sources don't state an effect on taxes. They do state these figures.
Republican campaign advertising spending$359 million1Who pays or receives it: Republicans
Democratic campaign advertising spending$156.1 million1Who pays or receives it: Democrats
Republican spending on crime-centric advertising$103.1 million1Who pays or receives it: Republicans
Republican spending on tax-focused ads$92.7 million1Who pays or receives it: Republicans
Combined Republican spending on transgender and LGBTQ+ ads$119 million1Who pays or receives it: Republicans
Democratic spending on taxation advertising since Sept. 29$16.9 million1Who pays or receives it: Democrats
Democratic spending on taxation advertising since June 2$35.8 million1Who pays or receives it: Democrats
Talarico spending on top October ad$5.8 million1Who pays or receives it: James Talarico
Who's involved
Republicanspolitical party with candidates in Texas statewide races
Democratspolitical party with candidates in Texas statewide races
Ken PaxtonRepublican Senate candidate
James TalaricoDemocratic Senate candidate
Gov. Greg AbbottRepublican governor candidate
Gina HinojosaDemocratic governor candidate
The facts
Republicans spent $359 million since June 2 on ads emphasizing crime, taxation, and transgender issues.1
Democrats spent $156.1 million since June 2 on ads emphasizing taxation, healthcare, and corruption.1
Republican spending on transgender minors, sports, and LGBTQ+ rights combined totaled $119 million.1
Democratic taxation advertising jumped to $35.8 million since June 2, with $16.9 million since Sept. 29.1
Over summer, Democrats' leading ad issues were healthcare, inflation, housing, and bipartisanship.1
Since Labor Day, Democrats' leading ad issues shifted to crime, corruption, and special interests.1
Taxation was Republicans' leading ad issue until mid-September, when crime and transgender topics overtook it.1
Who said what
These are statements and claims made by the people involved. They are reported, not verified.
James Talarico Paxton lied about his record and committed Chinese influence and sex change surgeries for children.1
Gov. Greg Abbott Hinojosa voted to raise property taxes 40 times during her House tenure.1
Where the sources disagree
Whether Hinojosa explicitly voted to raise property taxes Abbott asserts she voted to raise property taxes 40 times [1]; the votes include 40 votes contrary to GOP proposals to reduce property taxes, not explicit votes to raise them [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.
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$$500 million for campaign spending
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