Texas Early Voting Hits Records as Paxton and Talarico Run Neck and Neck
Updated
Updated · Financial Times · Oct 27
Texas Early Voting Hits Records as Paxton and Talarico Run Neck and Neck
3 articles · Updated · Financial Times · Oct 27
Summary
Record-breaking early turnout has begun across multiple Texas counties, raising the stakes in a Senate race where Republican Ken Paxton and Democrat James Talarico are effectively tied days before the midterms.
Trump and Paxton have escalated personal attacks to energize Maga voters, with Trump making his fourth Texas trip in two months as Republicans try to hold a seat that recently looked safely red.
That urgency reflects the money and risk in the race: Republican-aligned groups have spent $243 million to defend the seat, including $158 million from Elon Musk for Paxton, versus $58 million for Talarico.
Talarico has tried to turn the barrage to his advantage by mocking rumors about his disappearance and focusing on Paxton's refusal to debate, while courting suburban, urban and Latino voters frustrated by the economy and immigration crackdowns.
A Talarico win would give Texas its first Democratic statewide victor in more than 30 years and could help Democrats seize control of the Senate.