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Texas Senate race ads aired nationally during NFL games on Sunday

Political action committee ads supporting Republican Ken Paxton in the Texas U.S. Senate race aired during NFL games broadcast in multiple states on Sunday, October 4. The ads appeared during Eagles-Rams and Bears-Jets games in Philadelphia, Chicago, Iowa, and Virginia, among other locations.

Where
Statewide
When
Oct. 4, 2026
Sources
Reported by 3 outlets

Taxes and money

The sources don't state an effect on taxes. They do state these figures.

  • Political spending in Texas Senate racemore than $200 million2 Who pays or receives it: Political action committees
  • Political action committee investment in racemore than $125 million1 Who pays or receives it: Political action committee

Does this affect you?

Who's involved

  • Ken PaxtonRepublican candidate in Texas U.S. Senate race
  • James TalaricoDemocratic candidate in Texas U.S. Senate race
  • Michael HagenAssociate professor of political science at Temple University
  • Political action committeesFunded and aired ads supporting Paxton

The facts

  • At least three ads supporting Paxton aired during Eagles-Rams game on Fox29.1
  • One ad featuring Paxton's estranged wife aired nationally, appearing in Virginia.1
  • Texas has 20 different media markets requiring separate ad purchases.2
  • Political groups used national ad buys instead of individual market purchases.2
  • NFL accounted for 83 of top 100 most-watched television programs in 2025.2

Who said what

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

  • Michael Hagen, Temple University Ads aimed at non-Texas voters are targeted at soliciting donations and fundraising.1
  • Michael Hagen, Temple University Texas Senate race is much more competitive question mark than expected.1
  • Polling data cited in source Paxton is trailing Democratic opponent James Talarico.1
  • Michael Hagen, Temple University Spending level is indication of massive money in Senate races nationwide.1

Where the sources disagree

  • Total spending in Texas Senate race to date more than $125 million per [1]; more than $200 million per [2]

How they headlined it

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

  • Why were there Texas U.S. Senate race ads during the Eagles game?

    Inquirer.com

  • Why were Bears fans seeing Texas Senate ads during Sunday's game?

    NBC 5 Chicago

  • Why did Texas Senate ads show up during Sunday’s Vikings game?

    Bring Me The News

Sources

Outlets: 2 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. Why were there Texas U.S. Senate race ads during the Eagles game? Inquirer.com Not rated, October 4, 2026
  2. Why were Bears fans seeing Texas Senate ads during Sunday's game? NBC 5 Chicago Not rated, October 5, 2026

Also reported by Bring Me The News.

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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