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Elections

Paxton and Talarico compete in fiercely contested Texas Senate race

Ken Paxton, Texas attorney general since 2015, faces Democrat James Talarico in a competitive Senate race. Trump backed Paxton at a Republican convention in September. Several prominent Texas Republicans, including former state legislators and a former county judge, have publicly stated they support Talarico instead.

Where
Texas, Statewide
When
October 2026
Sources
Reported by 3 outlets

Taxes and money

None stated in sources.

Does this affect you?

Who's involved

  • Ken PaxtonRepublican candidate for U.S. Senate, Texas attorney general since 2015
  • James TalaricoDemocratic candidate for U.S. Senate
  • Donald TrumpU.S. President who backed Paxton at September Republican convention
  • Alan SteelmanFormer U.S. Representative, appears in Talarico campaign ad
  • Bennett RatliffFormer state representative, appears in Talarico campaign ad
  • Todd SmithFormer state representative, appears in Talarico campaign ad
  • Glen WhitleyFormer Tarrant County judge, appears in Talarico campaign ad
  • Karl RoveRepublican strategist supporting Talarico, per host statement
  • Josh BlankResearch director, UT Austin Texas Politics Project

The facts

  • Paxton was first elected to Texas House in 2002 from Collin County and served five terms.1
  • Paxton challenged fellow Republican Joe Straus for House speaker before the 2011 legislative session.1
  • Paxton won election to Texas Senate in 2012.1
  • Paxton was indicted in 2015 on felony securities fraud charges.2
  • Texas House impeached Paxton in May 2023 over accusations of bribery, abuse of office, and misuse of state resources.2
  • State Senate acquitted Paxton four months after impeachment.2
  • Paxton avoided trial in 2024 through a pre-trial agreement, paying $300,000 and completing 100 hours of community service.2
  • Paxton defeated U.S. Sen. John Cornyn in May Republican primary runoff.1

Who said what

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

  • Donald Trump Paxton is the single greatest attorney general Texas ever had, maybe top in whole United States.1
  • Donald Trump Some may not like the way Paxton dresses, looks, or talks.1
  • Ken Paxton Spent whole time in legislature fighting higher taxes.1
  • Josh Blank, UT Austin Texas Politics Project Paxton's rise based on courting most conservative voters in electorate.1
  • Glen Whitley, former Tarrant County judge Paxton is most corrupt politician Texas ever seen.2
  • Ken Paxton James Talarico cannot prove allegations and does not want to discuss records.2

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, 1 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. Ken Paxton's political rise, from the Tea Party to Trump's MAGA movement KUT Not rated, October 30, 2026
  2. Trump Senate Pick Ken Paxton Flails in Brutal MAGA TV Ambush The Daily Beast Left, October 29, 2026

Also reported by Houston Public Media, NCPR: North Country Public Radio.

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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Elon Musk spent estimated $474 million on 2026 election, lost major race

Elon Musk spent an estimated $474 million on the 2026 midterm election, the most by any non-candidate in U.S. history. He spent approximately $200 million on a Texas Senate race where his candidate lost by 12 points to a Democrat.

$474 million for spending on 2026 midterm election

Elon Musk, spent estimated $474 million on 2026 election; President Trump, received Musk's support; James Pindell, journalist reporting on Musk's spending and 1 more

Reported by 2 outletsFound via Google News

Democrat James Talarico wins Texas U.S. Senate seat

Democrat James Talarico won a U.S. Senate seat in Texas on November 4, 2026, defeating Republican Ken Paxton. Talarico is the first Democrat to win a Senate seat in Texas since 1988 and the first to win statewide office in more than three decades.

$200 million for campaign spending for Paxton

James Talarico, Democrat who won Texas U.S. Senate seat; Ken Paxton, Republican candidate for Texas U.S. Senate; Trump, President who attacked Talarico during campaign and 1 more

Reported by 4 outletsOnly left-leaning outlets reported thisFound via Google News

Tejano singer Bobby Pulido defeats Republican Monica De La Cruz for Texas Congress

Tejano singer and Latin Grammy winner Bobby Pulido defeated Republican incumbent Monica De La Cruz in Texas Congressional District 15 during U.S. midterm elections on Tuesday, November 4, 2026. Pulido won 62% of the vote, flipping the seat from Republican to Democratic representation.

Bobby Pulido, Tejano singer, Latin Grammy winner, and Democratic congressional candidate who won the election; Monica De La Cruz, Republican incumbent in Congressional District 15 who lost the election

Reported by 3 outletsFound via Google News

Secretary of State Howden announces working groups for election system improvements

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Robert S. Howden, Texas Secretary of State; County election and registration officials, Working group members

From an official record

Democrat Sarah Eckhardt wins Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts race

Democrat Sarah Eckhardt, a state senator, won the race for Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts, defeating appointed Republican incumbent Don Huffines. Eckhardt's victory flips the comptroller's office to Democratic control for the first time since 1999.

$1 billion for Texas Education Freedom Accounts program budget allocation

Sarah Eckhardt, Democratic candidate for Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts, state senator; Don Huffines, Republican incumbent Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts

Reported by 2 outletsFound via Google News

Farrah Abraham finishes fourth in Austin City Council District 5 race

Farrah Abraham ran for Austin City Council District 5 on November 3, 2026, and finished fourth in a four-person race. Incumbent Ryan Alter and David Weinberg advanced to a December 12 runoff.

Farrah Abraham, Candidate for Austin City Council District 5; Ryan Alter, Incumbent, advanced to runoff; David Weinberg, Advanced to runoff

Reported by 3 outletsFound via Google News

Democrats improve 2026 margin over 2024 by 15 percentage points nationally

A national "blue tsunami" swept Democrats to gains in ruby-red districts Trump won by double digits in 2024, improving Democrats' margin by 15 percentage points. California Democrats had pursued redistricting changes via Proposition 50 in anticipation of Republican gerrymanders in states including Texas.

more than $100 million for campaign spending freed up by protecting incumbent Democrats in Southern California swing districts

California Democrats, pursued Proposition 50 redistricting measure; Greg Abbott, Texas Governor who lost reelection; Gavin Newsom, California Governor who promoted Prop. 50 and 4 more

Reported by 2 outletsFound via Google News

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