The 2026 Texas Senate race between Republican Ken Paxton and Democrat James Talarico has drawn $445 million in TV, radio and digital ad spending as of October 9, with Republicans spending $326 million and Democrats $120 million. Since the May 27 primary, Republicans have spent $195 million compared to Democrats' $81 million.
Where
Statewide
When
Oct. 9, 2026
Sources
Reported by 9 outlets
Taxes and money
The sources don't state an effect on taxes. They do state these figures.
TV, radio and digital ad spending in Texas Senate race$445 million1Who pays or receives it: Republican and Democratic groups
TV, radio and digital ad spending in Texas Senate race - Republican portion$326 million1Who pays or receives it: Republican groups
TV, radio and digital ad spending in Texas Senate race - Democratic portion$120 million1Who pays or receives it: Democratic groups
Republican ad spending since May 27 primary$195 million1Who pays or receives it: Republican groups
Democratic ad spending since May 27 primary$81 million1Who pays or receives it: Democratic groups
Spending by Texas PAC to aid Paxton$122 million1Who pays or receives it: Texas PAC
Who's involved
Ken PaxtonRepublican state Attorney General, candidate for U.S. Senate
James TalaricoDemocratic state Representative, candidate for U.S. Senate
Senate Leadership FundRepublican super PAC supporting Paxton
Texas PACSuper PAC funded by Senate Leadership Fund to support Paxton
John ThuneU.S. Senate Majority Leader (R-S.D.), tied to Senate Leadership Fund
Matt MackowiakRepublican strategist
Chris GustafsonCommunications director for Senate Leadership Fund
John CornynFormer Republican U.S. Senator, defeated by Paxton in primary
The facts
The Texas Senate race has attracted $445 million in ad spending as of Oct. 9.1
Recent polls show Talarico with leads between 2 and 6 percentage points over Paxton.1
Paxton defeated incumbent Sen. John Cornyn in the May 27 primary.1
GOP ad spending in Texas has been second only to Ohio among states, per AdImpact.1
Texas PAC was announced in September as a spin-off of Senate Leadership Fund.1
No Democrat has won a statewide office in Texas since 1994.1
Who said what
These are statements and claims made by the people involved. They are reported, not verified.
Chris Gustafson, Senate Leadership Fund Texas PAC has dedicated donors with no impact on SLF's investments in other states.1
Matt Mackowiak, Republican strategist GOP spending in Texas costs as much as spending in all five swing states combined.1
Where the sources disagree
Whether Texas spending comes from same donor pool as other state races Gustafson said dedicated donors in 2026 [1]; Gustafson warned in August 2025 that Paxton's record takes resources away from Senate majority [1]
How they headlined it
The same event, as each outlet put it. Marked words appear in only one outlet's headline.
A Texas-sized money pit: Inside the real cost of Ken Paxton’s lackluster campaign
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.
Gina Hinojosa, the Democratic nominee for Texas governor, was interviewed about her campaign. She is running to secure schools and put money in voters' pockets, and is challenging Republican incumbent Greg Abbott.
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
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
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.
$$60 million for campaign funds raised, third quarter 2026
James Talarico, Democrat candidate for Texas Senate; Ken Paxton, Republican candidate for Texas Senate; Elon Musk, Tech billionaire and super PAC backer of Republican candidates
Elon Musk donated $158 million to the Senate Leadership Fund in September 2026, which transferred the money to Texas PAC to finance advertising supporting Republican Ken Paxton in his Senate race against Democrat James Talarico.
$$158 million for donation to Senate Leadership Fund
Elon Musk, Donor; Ken Paxton, Republican Senate candidate; James Talarico, Democratic Senate candidate and 3 more
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
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
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