Unnamed Texas Republicans told a reporter that Ken Paxton, the Republican nominee for U.S. Senate, has trailed in most polls and faces a difficult path to winning despite receiving over $150 million in funding. Some Republicans said they plan to skip the Senate line on the ballot.
Where
Texas, Statewide
When
Oct. 30, 2026
Sources
Reported by 2 outlets
Taxes and money
The sources don't state an effect on taxes. They do state these figures.
Campaign fundingmore than $150 million1Who pays or receives it: Elon Musk
Who's involved
Ken PaxtonRepublican nominee for United States Senate
James TalaricoDemocratic opponent
Dade PhelanFormer House Speaker
Donald TrumpReferenced as supporting Paxton
Unnamed senior Republican lawmakerSource for reporter
Unnamed longtime Republican consultantSource for reporter
The facts
Paxton trailed in most polls conducted in the race.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.
Democratic candidates with Christian messaging, including Texas seminarian James Talarico, won key seats in the U.S. Senate and House in the 2026 midterm elections. The victories included mainline Protestant candidates from Texas, Kansas, and Iowa.
James Talarico, Democratic seminarian candidate in Texas; Adam Hamilton, Megachurch pastor candidate in Kansas; Sarah Trone Garriott, Democratic minister candidate in Iowa and 2 more
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$$11 billion for operation Lone Star spending
Greg Abbott, outgoing Republican governor who built state immigration enforcement system; Gina Hinojosa, Democrat elected governor; Nathan Johnson, Democrat elected attorney general and 2 more
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$$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
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Tom Sell, Republican candidate, projected winner of Texas' 19th Congressional District; Kyle Rable, Democratic candidate
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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
Texas Secretary of State Robert Howden announced formation of working groups made up of county election and registration officials to improve the Texas Election Administration Management (TEAM) system as redevelopment continues.
Robert S. Howden, Texas Secretary of State; County election and registration officials, Working group members