Fox News host Jesse Watters said Thursday that Texas Republican U.S. Senate candidate Ken Paxton has a "whiff of corruption around him," during a panel discussion about Democratic candidate James Talarico's CNN town hall appearance. Watters acknowledged Paxton still has a chance to win but called him "off-putting."
Where
Statewide
When
Oct. 15, 2026
Sources
Reported by 3 outlets
Taxes and money
None stated in sources.
Who's involved
Jesse WattersFox News host
Ken PaxtonRepublican candidate for Texas U.S. Senate
James TalaricoDemocratic candidate for Texas U.S. Senate
Emily CompagnoThe Five co-host
The facts
Talarico appeared at a CNN town hall on Wednesday night hosted by CNN anchor Erin Burnett with a live audience of Texas voters.1
Both Paxton and Talarico were invited to the CNN town hall, but only Talarico appeared.1
Who said what
These are statements and claims made by the people involved. They are reported, not verified.
Jesse Watters Paxton has a whiff of corruption around him and something off-putting about him13
Jesse Watters Paxton was the best attorney general in the country for the last eight years1
Jesse Watters Talarico's nine days absence recovering from flu killed his campaign momentum1
Emily Compagno Talarico appears either weak or horrifying13
Jesse Watters People in Texas are not voting for Talarico but having trouble voting for Paxton1
Jesse Watters Republicans have more money than Democrats, or the race could go to Democrats1
How they headlined it
The same event, as each outlet put it. Marked words appear in only one outlet's headline.
Jesse Watters Silences Fox News Hosts With Ken Paxton Diss Ahead of James Talarico Face-Off: 'Whiff of Corruption'
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.
Texas Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick held a campaign event in Midland while seeking reelection. He urged West Texas Republicans to vote during early voting, citing historically low regional turnout despite high voter registration. Patrick defended the oil and gas industry and criticized proposed Democratic policies on energy.
$$28 billion for State reserve fund
Dan Patrick, Texas Lt. Governor, candidate for reelection; Kevin Sparks, State Senator; Vikki Goodwin, Democratic candidate for Lt. Governor
Democratic state Rep. James Talarico campaigned in Houston, framing the U.S. Senate race as a fight against corruption and calling for federal ethics legislation. He criticized Republican opponent Ken Paxton's record and Elon Musk's political donations to Paxton.
$nearly $190 million for donations to Paxton through Senate Leadership Fund super PAC
James Talarico, Democratic state representative, U.S. Senate candidate; Ken Paxton, Texas Attorney General, Republican U.S. Senate candidate; Elon Musk, Donor to Paxton's campaign and 2 more
Gov. Greg Abbott visited Temple and San Angelo on October 23, 2026, for "Let's Roll" campaign events supporting Republican candidates and early voting ahead of the November 3 general election. Abbott emphasized border security, economic growth, and tax relief during the tour.
Gov. Greg Abbott, Governor of Texas, candidate for fourth term; Representative Hillary Hickland, Joined Abbott at Temple event
Early voting is underway in Texas for Nov. 3 midterm elections. Voter registration backlogs caused by state errors have created situations where voters' names may not appear in polling place lists. Voters in this situation can cast provisional ballots, which are kept separate and reviewed after the election.
Texas Department of Public Safety, caused backlog of voter registration updates through driver's license portal; Early Voting Ballot Board, makes determinations on provisional ballots
Democratic gubernatorial nominee Gina Hinojosa kicked off her "One Fight" get-out-the-vote tour in Central Texas, holding events in Kyle, San Marcos, and San Antonio, and scheduled a rally in El Paso for October 28.
Gina Hinojosa, Democratic nominee for Texas Governor; Cristela Alonzo, Stand-up comedian, performer at San Antonio rally; Little Joe y La Familia, Tejano legend, performer at San Antonio rally and 1 more
Actor Matthew McConaughey released a 6-minute statement endorsing political independence as an concept rather than endorsing any candidate or party during Texas election season.
Matthew McConaughey, Actor; Jared Woodfill, Conservative Republicans of Texas; Conservative Republicans of Texas, Organization commenting on endorsement
A poll shows Democratic candidate Bobby Pulido leading Republican Congresswoman Monica De La Cruz in the race for Texas's 15th Congressional District, with the election days away. The survey found Pulido favored by South Texas voters who supported Trump in 2024.
Bobby Pulido, Democratic candidate for Texas 15th Congressional District; Monica De La Cruz, Republican U.S. Representative seeking re-election in Texas 15th Congressional District; Mark Jones, Political scientist at Rice University and co-director of poll and 2 more
Billionaire Elon Musk endorsed Republican Ken Paxton in the Texas U.S. Senate race. Musk posted on X that "the fate of Texas and America is at stake" and urged voting for Paxton. Musk has donated over $150 million to a PAC supporting Paxton's candidacy.
$over $150 million for donations to political action committee supporting Paxton
Elon Musk, Billionaire, Paxton endorser and donor; Ken Paxton, Republican Texas Attorney General, U.S. Senate candidate; James Talarico, Democratic Texas House member, U.S. Senate candidate