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Texas Republicans divided over Senate nominee Ken Paxton

Texas Republicans are at odds over GOP Senate nominee Ken Paxton, with leaked audio of Paxton saying ousted Senator John Cornyn is not supporting him. Democratic nominee James Talarico addressed his recent absence from the campaign trail.

Where
Statewide
When
Oct. 12, 2026
Sources
Reported by 4 outlets

Taxes and money

None stated in sources.

Does this affect you?

Who's involved

  • Ken PaxtonGOP Senate nominee
  • James TalaricoDemocratic Senate nominee
  • John CornynOusted longtime Senator

The facts

  • Polling average showed Paxton with -14% net favorability and Talarico with 6.5-point favorability edge.1
  • Paxton had 37.5% favorable and 51.7% unfavorable ratings; Talarico had 46.6% favorable and 40.0% unfavorable.1
  • Texas House impeached Paxton in May 2023 on charges of bribery, abuse of office, and obstruction.1
  • Texas Senate acquitted Paxton in September 2023.1
  • Leaked audio shows Paxton saying Cornyn is not in his corner.2 3 Stated by 2 sources

Who said what

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

  • Ken Paxton Ousted Senator John Cornyn is not in his corner2 3

How they headlined it

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

  • Ken Paxton Trails as James Talarico Texas Senate Odds Shift by 6.5 Points

    El-Balad.com

  • Ken Paxton Addresses Leaked Tape of Him Criticizing Donald Trump

    Newsweek, Yahoo

  • Texas Republicans at odds over GOP Senate nominee Ken Paxton

    Yahoo, NBC News, Modern Ghana

  • NEW: The leaked audio ROCKING Paxton & Trump

    Modern Ghana

  • Texas GOP chair on toss-up Senate race between James Talarico and Ken Paxton

    CBS News, Modern Ghana

  • Texas GOP chair on toss-up Senate race between James Talarico and Ken Paxton (Video)

    Social News XYZ

  • Trump lashes out at Republicans as Ken Paxton struggles in Texas

    Politico

Sources

Outlets: 2 left-leaning, 2 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 Trails as James Talarico Texas Senate Odds Shift by 6.5 Points El-Balad.com Not rated, October 11, 2026
  2. Texas Republicans at odds over GOP Senate nominee Ken Paxton Yahoo Lean Left, October 12, 2026
  3. Texas Republicans at odds over GOP Senate nominee Ken Paxton NBC News Lean Left, October 12, 2026
  4. Texas Republicans at odds over GOP Senate nominee Ken Paxton Modern Ghana Not rated, October 12, 2026

Also reported by Newsweek, CBS News, Social News XYZ, Politico.

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

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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

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