Texas news, down to the facts.

Early voting is open through Oct. 30. Election Day is Nov. 3, 15 days away. Elections

Elections

Trump calls for debate between Paxton and Talarico in Texas Senate race

President Donald Trump posted on Truth Social calling on Democratic nominee James Talarico to debate Republican Ken Paxton in the Texas U.S. Senate race. Talarico responded he would debate Paxton. Paxton has declined multiple debate invitations and has not publicly responded to Trump's call.

Where
Statewide
When
Oct. 8, 2026
Sources
Reported by 7 outlets

Taxes and money

None stated in sources.

Does this affect you?

Who's involved

  • Donald TrumpPresident
  • James TalaricoDemocratic nominee for Texas U.S. Senate
  • Ken PaxtonRepublican Senate candidate; Texas Attorney General
  • Nick MadduxPaxton campaign adviser
  • J.T. EnnisTalarico campaign spokesperson
  • Madison CercyPaxton campaign spokeswoman

The facts

  • Trump posted on Truth Social calling Talarico to debate Paxton, calling Paxton ready, willing and able.1 2 Stated by 2 sources
  • Talarico has been absent from campaign trail since Sept. 30; his campaign said he had the flu.2 3 Stated by 2 sources
  • Talarico responded he would debate Paxton and said the ball was in Paxton's court.2 3 Stated by 2 sources
  • Paxton declined to meet opponents in his last three campaigns for attorney general.1
  • Paxton's campaign said in July he would debate but objected to some proposed moderators.3
  • Candidates' campaigns and outside groups spent more than $247 million on advertising so far.3
  • Talarico has publicly invited Paxton to debate on Fox News with host Bret Baier as moderator.2 3 Stated by 2 sources
  • Talarico's campaign said he expects to return to the campaign trail this weekend.2

Who said what

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

  • Nick Maddux, Paxton campaign adviser They will not negotiate through Talarico's press shop or let him hand-pick a moderator.1
  • James Talarico I'll go into the lion's den because I know what I believe. I'm not afraid of hard questions.1
  • James Talarico Texans deserve to hear from both of us before they start voting in less than a month.3
  • Madison Cercy, Paxton campaign spokeswoman Paxton has a simple request: proof of life from Talarico.3
  • Some Republicans They worry Paxton may become first Republican in nearly four decades to lose a Senate race in Texas.3

Where the sources disagree

  • Duration of Talarico's campaign absence 12 days per [2]; absent since Sept. 30 per [2, 3]

How they headlined it

The same event, as each outlet put it. Marked words appear in only one outlet's headline.

Sources

Outlets: 5 not rated 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. Trump Does Not Care That Ken Paxton Is Too Afraid To Debate Jezebel Not rated, October 8, 2026
  2. Trump says Paxton should debate Talarico FOX 7 Austin Not rated, October 8, 2026
  3. Trump wants Talarico and Paxton to debate. Talarico couldn't be happier Audacy Not rated, October 8, 2026
  4. Trump wants Talarico and Paxton to debate. Talarico couldn't be happier | National News | 2news.com KTVN Not rated, October 8, 2026
  5. Trump wants Talarico and Paxton to debate. Talarico couldn't be happier CT Insider Not rated, October 8, 2026

Also reported by Spectrum News, Herald-Banner, PBS, FOX 4 News Dallas-Fort Worth, Santa Fe New Mexican, Yahoo, MeidasTouch News, www.thenewworld.co.uk.

This sheet was written by AI from the sources above and adds nothing they don't state. Read the originals for full context.

Spot an error on this sheet?

All corrections and updates

Keep reading

Bexar and Brazoria counties hold county judge races on November 3

Two Texas county judge races are scheduled for the Nov. 3 election. In Bexar County, Republican Patrick Von Dohlen is challenging Democrat Ron Nirenberg. In Brazoria County, Republican Rob Giesecke, independent Lucinda Henry and Democrat Eugene Howard are running to replace retiring County Judge Matt Sebesta.

Patrick Von Dohlen, Republican candidate for Bexar County judge; Ron Nirenberg, Democrat candidate for Bexar County judge; Rob Giesecke, Republican candidate for Brazoria County judge and 3 more

Reported by 2 outletsFound via Google News

Texas counties prepare election security measures ahead of early voting

County clerks and election administrators across Texas are implementing security procedures before early voting begins October 19. Travis County plans 201 voting locations on Election Day. Multiple counties conducted security training for poll workers.

Travis County Clerk Dyana Limon-Mercado, Travis County Clerk; Bexar County Elections Administrator Michele Carew, Bexar County Elections Administrator; Dallas County Elections Administrator Paul Adams, Dallas County Elections Administrator and 2 more

Reported by 2 outletsFound via Google News

Democratic and Republican Senate candidates report third-quarter campaign fundraising totals

Democratic and Republican candidates released third-quarter campaign fundraising reports for the 2026 midterm elections. Democrat James Talarico's Texas Senate campaign raised $60 million between July and September, while Republican Ken Paxton's campaign raised about $10 million in the same period. Elon Musk's super PAC has heavily backed Paxton's campaign.

$60 million for campaign funds raised, third quarter 2026

James Talarico, Democrat candidate for Texas Senate; Ken Paxton, Republican candidate for Texas Senate; Elon Musk, Tech billionaire and super PAC backer of Republican candidates

Reported by 5 outletsFound via Google News

Elon Musk donates $158 million to support Ken Paxton Senate campaign

Elon Musk donated $158 million to the Senate Leadership Fund in September 2026, which transferred the money to Texas PAC to finance advertising supporting Republican Ken Paxton in his Senate race against Democrat James Talarico.

$158 million for donation to Senate Leadership Fund

Elon Musk, Donor; Ken Paxton, Republican Senate candidate; James Talarico, Democratic Senate candidate and 3 more

Reported by 5 outletsFound via Google News

Talarico's former classmate accuses him of prioritizing politics over truth

Mike Garcia, a former college classmate of Democratic Texas Senate candidate James Talarico, appeared on Fox News to accuse Talarico of putting political ambitions ahead of truthfulness.

James Talarico, Democratic Texas Senate candidate; Mike Garcia, former college classmate making accusation; Will Cain, Fox News host

Reported by 2 outletsOnly right-leaning outlets reported thisFound via Google News

Senate candidate Talarico schedules El Paso campaign rally October 26

Democratic U.S. Senate candidate James Talarico announced a campaign rally in El Paso on October 26 from 6 to 8 p.m., with doors opening at 5 p.m. The event is part of his "Clear Eyes, Full Hearts" statewide tour ahead of the November 3 election.

James Talarico, Democratic U.S. Senate candidate; Ken Paxton, Republican U.S. Senate candidate, Texas Attorney General

Reported by 4 outletsFound via Google News

"No Kings" organizers hold vote early event in Dallas Saturday

Organizers of the "No Kings" movement held a gathering in Dallas to encourage early voting. The event included speakers, music, community activities, voting information, and election volunteer opportunities.

Indivisible Dallas, organizer of Dallas gathering; Black Voters Matter Texas, participating organization

Reported by 4 outletsFound via Google News

All of today's news