Glen Maxey, Texas's first openly gay legislator, helped Democrat James Talarico win his 2018 state House race by flagging unregistered voters in Talarico's Williamson County district and sending them prefilled registration forms. Talarico now faces Republican Ken Paxton in a U.S. Senate race on November 3.
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.
Federal spending on the 2026 midterm elections is projected to reach $11.9 billion, surpassing 2022 midterm spending of $8.9 billion. Outside spending by super PACs and dark money is expected to reach $3.9 billion, an 85% increase from $2 billion in 2022.
$$11.9 billion for total projected spending on 2026 midterm elections
OpenSecrets, nonpartisan research group analyzing Federal Election Commission disclosure data; Senate Leadership Fund, Republican-affiliated super PAC; MAGA Inc., super PAC linked to President Donald Trump and 5 more
Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton held a campaign rally in Fort Worth on Saturday as part of his U.S. Senate race against Democrat James Talarico. Supporters were bused in from rural counties including Wise and Jack counties.
Ken Paxton, Republican attorney general and U.S. Senate nominee; James Talarico, Democratic U.S. Senate candidate; JD Enright, Paxton supporter who paid for bus from Runaway Bay
As Election Day approaches, Texas voters said immigration is a key issue motivating them to vote early. Some expressed concern about deportations under the Trump administration, while others cited concerns about illegal immigration.
The 2026 midterm elections will be held on Tuesday, November 3, with voters casting ballots for all 435 House seats, 35 Senate races, and governor positions in 39 states. CBS News will provide live coverage of results and analysis across multiple platforms beginning after polls close.
CBS News, broadcaster providing election coverage; Tony Dokoupil, anchor; Norah O'Donnell, anchor and 3 more
Texas Secretary of State Robert Howden announced the state has 19 million registered voters, a record number. As of October 23, more than 2.7 million Texans had voted early, with early voting ending October 30.
$$150 million for spending supporting Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton
Robert Howden, Texas Secretary of State; Greg Abbott, Governor, Republican, seeking fourth term; Gina Hinojosa, Democrat, Austin state representative, candidate for governor and 3 more
Texas voters cast a record 7.4 million early ballots in person and by mail for the 2026 midterm elections as of Friday, Oct. 30. This surpasses the 5.5 million early votes in 2022 and 4.9 million in 2018.
Texas Secretary of State's office, reported voting data
Rio Grande Valley voters are reconsidering their political allegiances ahead of the 2026 election, citing economic hardship as their primary concern. Trump won 14 of 18 border counties in 2024, but some voters who supported him then cite tariffs and rising costs as reasons to reconsider.
Jesus Robles, mechanical bull business owner in Rio Grande Valley; Vicente Gonzalez, Democratic U.S. Representative; Henry Cuellar, Democratic U.S. Representative and 5 more
Advertising spending in the Texas U.S. Senate race between Republican Ken Paxton and Democrat James Talarico has exceeded $500 million, making it the second nonpresidential race to reach that threshold. The election is scheduled for November 3, 2026.
$over $500 million for advertising spending and reservations in Texas Senate race
Ken Paxton, Republican U.S. Senate candidate, Texas attorney general since 2015; James Talarico, Democrat U.S. Senate candidate, state legislator since 2019; Elon Musk, Funder of political committees supporting Paxton and 1 more