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Republican Ken Paxton and Democrat James Talarico are set to face off for the open U.S. Senate seat after Paxton defeated longtime Republican Sen. John Cornyn in the GOP primary runoff.
The contest is drawing national attention as Democrats look for opportunities to compete in a state that has long favored Republicans.
Texas Senate Race Draws National Attention
The Texas Senate race has quickly become a major focus for both parties.
Paxton won the Republican nomination after a bitter primary battle with Cornyn. President Donald Trump backed Paxton during the runoff, giving his campaign a major boost.
Cornyn had served in the Senate for more than two decades, but Paxton defeated him in the May runoff. The result marked a major victory for Trump’s wing of the Republican Party.
Now, Paxton must turn his attention to the general election.
James Talarico Takes On Ken Paxton
Talarico, a Democratic state representative, won his party’s nomination and will challenge Paxton in November.
The race is attracting attention because Texas has not elected a Democrat to the U.S. Senate since 1988. However, recent political developments have made the contest more competitive than Republicans might prefer.
The Cook Political Report recently moved the race from “lean Republican” to toss-up, highlighting the potential for a much closer contest than many expected.
Recent polling has also shown Talarico with a narrow advantage in some surveys, although the race remains highly competitive.
Republicans Face a Tougher Fight
Texas remains a Republican-leaning state, but Democrats see an opportunity to capitalize on changing voter dynamics.
Paxton’s political record is likely to become a major issue during the campaign. His opponents have focused on his legal and ethical controversies as they attempt to weaken his support among moderate and independent voters.
Talarico, meanwhile, has been working to appeal beyond the Democratic base. His campaign has emphasized issues affecting everyday Texans while attempting to position him as a candidate who can attract independents and some Republicans.
Money Could Shape the Texas Senate Race
The contest is also becoming a major fundraising and advertising battle.
A super PAC linked to Republican Sen. Ted Cruz recently launched a $1.7 million advertising campaign supporting Paxton. The spending underscores the growing concern among Republicans about the competitiveness of the race.
There are also reports that billionaire Elon Musk could become a major financial force in Texas politics during the 2026 election cycle. His potential involvement could provide additional resources for Republican candidates, including Paxton.
A High-Stakes Senate Battle
The stakes extend beyond Texas.
Republicans are defending a narrow Senate majority, while Democrats need to make significant gains to take control of the chamber. A competitive Texas race could therefore become important to the national fight for Senate control.
For Paxton, the election is an opportunity to secure a Senate seat after defeating a longtime Republican incumbent.
For Talarico, it represents a chance to accomplish something Democrats have struggled to do for decades: win a statewide Senate election in Texas.
With both campaigns preparing for an expensive and closely watched election, the Texas Senate race is expected to remain one of the biggest political battles of 2026.
Source: Associated Press, Reuters, The Texas Tribune, CBS Texas and recent campaign reporting.
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