Paxton and Talarico vie in closely contested Texas Senate race

The short version

• Republican Ken Paxton and Democrat James Talarico are in a race described as a tossup for a U.S. Senate seat in Texas.[Associated Press]
• Paxton, the longtime state attorney general, defeated Sen. John Cornyn in the Republican primary with Trump's help.[The Washington Sun · Associated Press]
• Trump shifted to virtual tele-rallies instead of in-person events, while early voting totals neared 50 million.[Associated Press]
• A Republican strategist quoted in reporting says Paxton's approach could prove costly, a view not independently verified.[The Washington Sun]

Key facts

• Ken Paxton is the Texas attorney general and the Republican nominee for U.S. Senate in Texas.[The Washington Sun]
• Paxton defeated Sen. John Cornyn in the Republican primary with Trump's endorsement and help.[The Washington Sun · Associated Press]
• Trump carried Texas by nearly 14 percentage points in 2024.[The Washington Sun]
• In 2023, Paxton was impeached by the Republican-controlled Texas House and later acquitted by the state Senate.[The Washington Sun]
• AP describes the Paxton and Talarico contest as a tossup U.S. Senate race in Texas.[Associated Press]
• Early balloting totals were approaching 50 million heading into the weekend.[Associated Press]
• Trump stepped away from in-person rallies on Saturday in favor of virtual events and tele-rallies.[Associated Press]

Sources

Outlet counts describe coverage, not independent confirmation. Reports may share a wire service or original source.

• Ken Paxton Sticks With the Voters He KnowsThe Washington Sun
• Paxton and Talarico tussle for Texas Senate seat. Trump to campaign virtually instead of in personAssociated Press · Wire: associated-press