Update, October 16. Updated October 16, 12:45 am Central with new reporting: 7 separate outlets now report this.
Over $500 million spent on ads in Texas U.S. Senate race
More than $500 million has been spent on advertising in the 2026 U.S. Senate race between Democratic state Rep. James Talarico and Republican Attorney General Ken Paxton, according to CNN reporting cited by Texas Standard. The spending includes advertising already purchased and reserved across primaries, runoff and general election.
- Where
- Statewide
- When
- October 2026
- Sources
- Reported by 7 outlets
Taxes and money
The sources don't state an effect on taxes. They do state these figures.
Who's involved
- James TalaricoDemocratic state representative and U.S. Senate candidate
- Ken PaxtonRepublican Texas Attorney General and U.S. Senate candidate
- Brendan GlavinDirector of insights at OpenSecrets
- CNNNews organization reporting ad spending data
The facts
- University of Texas/Texas Politics Project poll shows Talarico at 50%, Paxton at 47%, margin of error 3.34 points.5
- Quantus Insights poll found Paxton at 47.2% and Talarico at 46.7%.5
- U.S. Senator John Cornyn is vacating the Texas Senate seat.5
- The 2024 Ohio Senate race was previously the most expensive Senate race, but Texas 2026 will exceed it.1
Who said what
These are statements and claims made by the people involved. They are reported, not verified.
- Brendan Glavin, OpenSecrets Stakes have changed and money is now pouring in after race tightened.1
- James Talarico campaign Emphasizes reducing costs for working families, increasing educational investment, and expanding health care affordability.5
- Ken Paxton campaign Emphasizes border enforcement, tax reductions, and American energy production.5
Where the sources disagree
- Talarico vs. Paxton support levels 50% to 47% per University of Texas poll [5]; 46.7% to 47.2% per Quantus Insights poll [5]
How they headlined it
The same event, as each outlet put it. Marked words appear in only one outlet's headline.
Texas Senate 2026: Paxton and Talarico, What You Need to Know Before Voting
Texas Senate: Paxton and Talarico in a Near Tie
Over $500 million spent on ads during Texas Senate campaign, AdImpact data shows
Who Is Katy Voting For? James Talarico vs. Ken Paxton in the 2026 Texas U.S. Senate Race
More than $500 million has been spent on advertising in Texas’ U.S. Senate race
James Talarico Is the John Kerry of 2026
More than $500 million has reportedly been spent on advertising in Texas’ U.S. Senate race
Sources
Outlets: 1 left-leaning, 4 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.
- More than $500 million has been spent on advertising in Texas’ U.S. Senate race
- Texas Senate 2026: Paxton and Talarico, What You Need to Know Before Voting
- Texas Senate: Paxton and Talarico in a Near Tie
- Over $500 million spent on ads during Texas Senate campaign, AdImpact data shows
- Who Is Katy Voting For? James Talarico vs. Ken Paxton in the 2026 Texas U.S. Senate Race
Also reported by www.kera.org, PJ Media, Denton Record-Chronicle, Houston Public Media.
This sheet was written by AI from the sources above and adds nothing they don't state. Read the originals for full context.